Shloka 18
Ānṛśaṃsya–Bhakti: Śukaḥ Śakreṇa Parīkṣitaḥ
Compassion and Devotion—The Parrot Tested by Indra
अन्येडपि बहवो वृक्षा: पत्रसंच्छन्नकोटरा: । शुभा: पर्याप्तसंचारा विद्यन्तेडस्मिन् महावने
anye 'pi bahavo vṛkṣāḥ patra-saṁchanna-koṭarāḥ | śubhāḥ paryāpta-saṁcārā vidyante 'smin mahāvane ||
“Di rimba besar ini ada banyak pohon lain; lubang-lubangnya tertutup rimbun dedaunan. Mereka indah dan menyediakan ruang luas bagi burung untuk bergerak dan berdiam.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily offers descriptive narration, highlighting how a well-formed natural habitat—beautiful trees with sheltered hollows and ample space—supports living beings (birds). In ethical context, it subtly reflects the Mahābhārata’s recurring appreciation of environments that sustain life and provide refuge.
Bhīṣma continues a description of a great forest, noting that many trees there have hollows hidden by thick foliage and that these trees are attractive and suitable for birds to move about and reside.