Nahūṣa as Ajagara: Virtue Hierarchy, Karmic Gati, and the Psychology of Mind–Intellect
ते द्वादशं वर्षमुपोपयातं वने विहर्तु कुरव: प्रतीता: तस्माद् वनाच्चैत्ररथप्रकाशात् श्रिया ज्वलन्तस्तपसा च युक्ता:
te dvādaśaṁ varṣam upopayātaṁ vane vihartu kuravaḥ pratītāḥ | tasmād vanāc caitraratha-prakāśāt śriyā jvalantas tapasā ca yuktāḥ ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。第十二年が到来すると、森にて時を過ごすと定めたクル族は、チャイトララタのごとく明るいその森を発っていった。彼らは繁栄の光を帯び、またタパス(苦行・克己)によって力を得ていた。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights that genuine excellence combines outer fortune (śrī) with inner discipline (tapas). Even in exile, ethical strength is shown through resolve, restraint, and steadfastness rather than comfort alone.
As the twelfth year arrives, the Kurus (contextually the exiled party) are determined to spend their time in the forest. They depart from a forest described as radiant like Citraratha, portrayed as both splendid and marked by ascetic discipline.