Shloka 4
Raivataka-giri Mahotsava and the Counsel on Subhadrā’s Marriage (रैवतके महोत्सवः — सुभद्राविवाहोपायविचारः)
स्त्रीभिमल्यैश्व गन्धैश्व भक्ष्यभोज्यै: सुपुष्कलै: । पानैश्न विविधै््द्यै: परां प्रीतिमवापतु:,सुन्दरी स्त्रियों, मनोहर मालाओं, भाँति-भाँतिके सुगन्ध-द्रव्यों, पर्याप्त भोजन- सामग्रियों तथा मनको प्रिय लगनेवाले अनेक प्रकारके पेय रसोंका सेवन करके वे बड़े आनन्दसे दिन बिताने लगे
strībhiḥ mālyaiś ca gandhaiś ca bhakṣyabhojyaiḥ supuṣkalaiḥ | pānaiś ca vividhair divyaiḥ parāṃ prītim avāpatuḥ ||
Нарада сказал: «Окружённые прекрасными женщинами, гирляндами и благовониями, вкушая изобильные яства и угощения и множество приятных, почти небесных напитков, они проводили дни на вершине наслаждения. Стих изображает жизнь, поглощённую чувственными утехами, молчаливо противопоставляя её более стойким целям дхармы и самообладанию.»
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse portrays intense enjoyment of sensual pleasures—companionship, adornment, fragrance, rich food, and drink—serving as a narrative marker of indulgence. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical horizon, such pleasure is not condemned in isolation, but it becomes problematic when it eclipses restraint, duty, and long-term righteousness (dharma).
Nārada describes a period in which the subjects being spoken about (expressed in the dual ‘they’) spend their time in lavish comfort, surrounded by women, garlands, perfumes, abundant foods, and varied drinks, attaining great delight.