Shloka 57

Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy

Devanagari script

ततो<परं वनोद्देशं रमणीयमपश्यत । सर्वर्तुभिर्मूलफलै: पक्षिभिश्च॒ समन्वितै:

Transliteration

tato 'paraṃ vanoddeśaṃ ramaṇīyam apaśyata | sarvartubhir mūlaphalaiḥ pakṣibhiś ca samanvitaiḥ ||

Translation

Disse Bhishma: Depois ele avistou outra região de floresta encantadora, ricamente provida de raízes e frutos em todas as estações e animada por pássaros—um refúgio convidativo, como se a natureza oferecesse em silêncio seu amparo aos que buscam a contenção e a reta conduta.

Word by Word

ततःthen, thereafter

अपरम्another, further

वन-उद्देशम्a region/tract of forest

रमणीयम्delightful, charming

अपश्यतsaw

सर्व-ऋतुभिःwith all seasons

मूल-फलैःwith roots and fruits

पक्षिभिःwith birds

चand

समन्वितैःendowed/filled (with), accompanied by

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhishma

forest tract (vanoddeśa)

roots and fruits (mūla-phalāni)

birds (pakṣiṇaḥ)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the forest as a naturally sustaining, peaceful environment—symbolizing how a life oriented toward restraint and dharma can be supported by simple, seasonally available means rather than dependence on luxury.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma describes the sighting of another beautiful forest region, abundant in roots and fruits throughout the seasons and filled with birds, setting a serene scene within the ongoing discourse of the Anushasana Parva.