Shloka 14
Bhṛgu–Bharadvāja-saṃvāda: Vānaprastha-parivrājaka-ācāra, Abhaya-dharma, and Lokānāṃ Vibhāga (Śānti-parva 185)
पुण्यापुण्यैस्तथा गन्धैर्धूपैश्व विविधैरपि । अरोगाः: पुष्पिता: सन्ति तस्माज्जिप्रन्ति पादपा:
puṇyāpuṇyais tathā gandhair dhūpaiś ca vividhair api | arogāḥ puṣpitāḥ santi tasmāj jighranti pādapāḥ ||
ଭରଦ୍ୱାଜ କହିଲେ—ପୁଣ୍ୟ ଓ ଅପୁଣ୍ୟ ଗନ୍ଧ, ଏବଂ ନାନା ପ୍ରକାର ଧୂପର ଗନ୍ଧରେ ବୃକ୍ଷମାନେ ନିରୋଗ ହୋଇ ପୁଷ୍ପ-ଫଳରେ ପ୍ରଫୁଲ୍ଲିତ ହୁଅନ୍ତି। ତେଣୁ ବୃକ୍ଷମାନେ ମଧ୍ୟ ଘ୍ରାଣ କରନ୍ତି—ଏହା ସିଦ୍ଧ।
भरद्वाज उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse argues by observable effect (health and blossoming due to fragrances and incense) that trees possess a sensory capacity—specifically smell—thus extending consideration of sentience beyond humans and animals.
In a didactic discussion in Śānti Parva, Bharadvāja presents an inference: since trees respond beneficially to scents and fumigation, it is reasonable to conclude that they can smell.