Shloka 44
Duḥṣantasya Vana-praveśaḥ
King Duḥṣanta’s Entry into the Forest Hunt
पाटलैनरिकेलैश्व चन्दनैश्नार्जुनैस्तथा । एतै रम्यैर्महावक्षै: पुण्यै: स्वादुफलैर्युतम्
pāṭalair narikelaiś ca candanaiś nārjunais tathā | etai ramyair mahāvṛkṣaiḥ puṇyaiḥ svāduphalair yutam ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。そこはパータラ、椰子、白檀、アルジュナの木々に飾られ、甘い果実を宿す大樹が、麗しく、清らかで、吉祥の気を帯びて林立していた。春には神々のチャイトララタの園のように輝き、カッコウの声がこだまし、蜜に酔った蜂の羽音が満ちて、自然の秩序と聖なる美の幻景を示し、王の場を調和と祝福のうちに包み込んでいた。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds auspicious natural order: a well-fruited, fragrant, and harmonious forest is presented as a sign of blessing and rightness (puṇya/śrī). By likening the scene to the gods’ Caitraratha grove, the narrative suggests that environments reflecting balance, fertility, and beauty support dharmic life and legitimate royal presence.
Vaiśampāyana describes a springtime forest rich with pāṭala, coconut, sandalwood, and arjuna trees, heavy with sweet fruits and alive with birdsong and bees. The setting is elevated by comparison to the divine Caitraratha forest, emphasizing the extraordinary beauty and auspicious atmosphere surrounding the scene.