Shloka 3
Sudeva Identifies Damayantī in Cedi (सुदेवेन दमयन्ती-परिचयः)
ददृशुर्वणिजो रम्यं प्रभूतयवसेन्धनम् । बहुपुष्पफलोपेतं नानापक्षिनिषेवितम्,तदनन्तर बहुत समयके बाद एक भयंकर विशाल वनमें पहुँचकर उन व्यापारियोंने एक महान् सरोवर देखा, जिसका नाम था, पद्मसौगन्धिक। वह सब ओरसे कल्याणप्रद जान पड़ता था। उस रमणीय सरोवरके पास घास और ईंधनकी अधिकता थी, फूल और फल भी वहाँ प्रचुर मात्रामें उपलब्ध होते थे। उस तालाबपर बहुत-से पक्षी निवास करते थे
Bṛhadaśva uvāca: dadṛśur vaṇijo ramyaṁ prabhūtayavasendhanam | bahupuṣpaphalopetaṁ nānāpakṣiniṣevitam ||
Bṛhadaśva said: The merchants beheld a delightful spot, rich in grass and fuel-wood, abundant with flowers and fruits, and frequented by many kinds of birds. After a long time, having reached a vast and dreadful forest, they came upon a great lake named Padmasaugandhika, which appeared auspicious and beneficial on every side—an image of providential refuge amid hardship.
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in frightening and uncertain circumstances, one may encounter supportive conditions—food, fuel, shelter—suggesting that perseverance and alertness can reveal providential refuge within adversity.
A group of merchants, after wandering for a long time and entering a terrifying great forest, come upon an auspicious lake (Padmasaugandhika) and observe that its surroundings are well-supplied with grass, firewood, flowers, fruits, and many birds.