Shloka 8
बक-राक्षसस्य आह्वानम् तथा वृक्षयुद्धम्
Summons of Baka and the Tree-Weapon Engagement
अगमच्च वनोद्देशमल्पमूलफलोदकम् | क्र्रपक्षिम॒गं घोरं सायाह्ले भरतर्षभ,भरतश्रेष्ठ! वे संध्या होते-होते वनके ऐसे भयंकर प्रदेशमें जा पहुँचे, जहाँ फल-मूल और जलकी बहुत कमी थी। वहाँ क्रूर स्वभाववाले पक्षी और हिंसक पशु रहते थे
agamac ca vanoddeśam alpamūlaphalodakam | krūrapakṣimṛgaṃ ghoraṃ sāyāhle bharatarṣabha ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: Ao cair da tarde, ó touro entre os Bharatas, eles alcançaram um trecho terrível de floresta, onde raízes, frutos e água eram escassos, e onde habitavam aves selvagens e feras predadoras.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how scarcity and danger test character: when basic supports (food, water, safety) are lacking, one’s steadiness, prudence, and commitment to right conduct become the true refuge.
As evening approaches, the group being described arrives at a frightening forest region with little food and water, inhabited by fierce birds and wild beasts—setting a tense atmosphere of peril and deprivation.