Shloka 73
विस्मयो न: समुत्पन्न: समाश्वसिहि मा शुच: । अस्यारण्यस्य देवी त्वमुताहो5स्य महीभूत:,'सर्वांगसुन्दरी! बताओ, तुम कौन हो और क्या करना चाहती हो? तुम्हारे उत्तम रूप और परम सुन्दर कान्तिको यहाँ देखकर हमें बड़ा विस्मय हो रहा है। धैर्य धारण करो, शोक न करो। तुम इस वनकी देवी हो या इस पर्वतकी अधिदेवता
bṛhadaśva uvāca | vismayo naḥ samutpannaḥ samāśvasihi mā śucaḥ | asyāraṇyasya devī tvam utāho 'sya mahībhūtaḥ | sarvāṅgasundarī |
Bṛhadaśva said: “We are filled with wonder. Take heart; do not grieve. O you of flawless beauty in every limb—are you the goddess of this forest, or the presiding divinity of this mountain? Tell us: who are you, and what do you seek to do?”
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models compassionate speech and dharmic conduct toward a distressed stranger: first offer reassurance (“do not grieve”), then inquire respectfully about identity and intention, recognizing the possibility of divinity present in nature.
Bṛhadaśva addresses a strikingly beautiful woman encountered in the forest. Her appearance causes amazement, and he comforts her while asking whether she is a forest-goddess or a mountain’s presiding deity, and what her purpose is.