Shloka 21
अध्याय १ — न्यग्रोधवनोपवेशनम् तथा द्रौणिनिश्चयः
Night at the Banyan and Drauṇi’s Resolve
प्रविश्य तद् वन॑ घोरं वीक्षमाणा: समन्ततः । शाखासहस्रसंछन्न॑ न्यग्रोध॑ ददृशुस्तत:,उस भयंकर वनमें प्रवेश करके सब ओर दृष्टि डालनेपर उन्हें सहस्नों शाखाओंसे आच्छादित एक बरगदका वृक्ष दिखायी दिया
praviśya tad vanaṃ ghoraṃ vīkṣamāṇāḥ samantataḥ | śākhāsahasrasaṃchannaṃ nyagrodhaṃ dadṛśus tataḥ ||
Sañjaya berkata: Setelah memasuki rimba yang menggerunkan itu dan memandang ke segenap penjuru, mereka pun melihat sebatang nyagrodha (pokok beringin), hamparannya yang luas seakan tersembunyi di bawah ribuan dahan—suatu tanda yang muram di tengah gelapnya niat yang lahir daripada perang.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily sets an ominous atmosphere: the fearful forest and the massive banyan function as narrative symbols of concealment and impending harm, underscoring how war can lead minds into darkness and morally perilous choices.
After entering a terrifying forest and surveying it in all directions, the group sees a banyan tree covered by innumerable branches—marking a significant spot as the night’s grim events are about to unfold.