Shloka 12
Droṇa-parva Adhyāya 60: Arjuna’s return, auspicious omens, and mission delegation
येन याती मखमुखौ दिशाशाविह पादपा: | तेनावस्थातुमिच्छन्ति तं गत्वा राजमी श्वरम्
yena yāti makhamukhau diśāśāv iha pādapāḥ | tenāvasthātum icchanti taṃ gatvā rājamiśvaram ||
Nārada said: “In whichever direction the sacrificial fires and the trees here seem to turn their faces, in that very direction they wish to remain. Having gone to that sovereign lord of kings, they seek to take their stand there.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the imagery of orientation—fires and even trees ‘turning’ toward a direction—to suggest that rightful sovereignty and dharmic authority draw beings toward stability and alignment. It implies that when a ruler embodies legitimate order, others naturally seek to stand with him.
Nārada is describing a sign-like movement or inclination: sacrificial elements and the natural world appear to face a particular direction, and accordingly ‘they’ wish to remain there after approaching the rāja-īśvara (sovereign lord). The statement functions as an omen or characterization of the ruler’s magnetic authority within the episode.