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 ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana berkata: Hutan itu—dihiasi pohon pāṭala, kelapa, cendana, dan arjuna—dipenuhi pohon-pohon besar yang indah, suci, dan membawa tuah, sarat dengan buah-buahan manis. Pada musim bunga ia bersinar seperti rimba suci Caitraratha milik para dewa, bergema dengan seruan burung kukuk dan dengung lebah yang mabuk madu, menampilkan tertib alam dan keindahan sakral yang membingkai suasana diraja sebagai harmoni dan diberkati.
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.