Shloka 5
प्रावृट्-शरत्-वर्णनम् — Description of the Monsoon and Autumn; Sarasvatī in the Pāṇḍavas’ Exile
यदृच्छया धनुष्पाणिरबद्धखड्गो वृकोदर: ददर्श तद् वन रम्यं देवगन्धर्वसेवितम्,भीमसेन तलवार बाँधकर हाथमें धनुष लिये अकस्मात् घूमने निकल जाते और देवताओं तथा गन्धर्वोंसे सेवित उस रमणीय वनकी शोभा निहारते थे
yadṛcchayā dhanuṣpāṇir abaddhakhaḍgo vṛkodaraḥ | dadarśa tad vana ramyaṃ devagandharvasevitam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: By chance, Vṛkodara (Bhīma), holding a bow in his hand and with his sword left unfastened, came upon that delightful forest—frequented by gods and Gandharvas—and beheld its beauty. The scene underscores the exile-wanderer’s alertness and self-restraint: even amid hardship, he observes the world without needless aggression, remaining ready yet not seeking conflict.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined readiness: Bhīma is armed and alert, yet his movement is not driven by aggression. Even in exile, one may remain vigilant while appreciating beauty and maintaining restraint.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Bhīma, wandering unexpectedly with bow in hand and sword unfastened, comes upon a beautiful forest frequented by gods and Gandharvas and gazes upon it.