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 ||
ナーラダは言った。「この地の祭火と樹々が、どの方角へ顔を向けるように見えるか、その方角にこそ留まりたいと願う。彼らは諸王の主たる王のもとへ赴き、そこで身を据えようとするのだ。」
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.