Shloka 5
Yajña-bhāga-vyavasthā and the Pravṛtti–Nivṛtti Framework (यज्ञभागव्यवस्था तथा प्रवृत्तिनिवृत्तिधर्मविवेचनम्)
मदगुभि: खग्जरीटैश्न विचित्रैर्जीवजीवकै:
bhīṣma uvāca | madagubhiḥ khañjarīṭaiś ca vicitrair jīvajīvakaiḥ | tasmin parvate sarvata apsaraso vicaranti sma | nānāprāṇiśāntadhvaninā tatra sarvaḥ pradeśo vyāptaḥ | sahasrāṇi kinnarāḥ bhramarā madagavaḥ vicitrāḥ khañjarīṭāś cakoraś ca | śatāni madhuravāṇyā suśobhitā vicitravarṇā mayūrāḥ | rājahaṃsasamūhāḥ kālāḥ kokilāś ca tatra śāntāṃ madhurāṃ dhvaniṃ vitanvanti sma ||
ビーシュマは語った。「その山では、アプサラスたちが四方に遊び歩いていた。さまざまな生きものの立てる静かで慰め深い響きが、あたり一帯を満たしていた。幾千ものキンナラに加え、蜂、マダグの鳥、色とりどりのセキレイ、チャコール（山鶉）があり、さらに甘い声に飾られた多彩な孔雀が幾百も、王なる白鳥の群れ、そして黒き郭公が—みな柔らかく旋律ある音を広げていた。」
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds śānti (tranquility) through an image of harmonious nature and celestial presence, suggesting that a calm environment and gentle sounds support contemplation and the settling of the mind—an important backdrop for ethical reflection in the Śānti Parva.
Bhishma is describing a mountain region teeming with apsarases and many kinds of beings and birds. Their collective, sweet, peaceful sounds pervade the area, creating an atmosphere of serenity.