Shloka 5
Yajña-bhāga-vyavasthā and the Pravṛtti–Nivṛtti Framework (यज्ञभागव्यवस्था तथा प्रवृत्तिनिवृत्तिधर्मविवेचनम्)
मदगुभि: खग्जरीटैश्न विचित्रैर्जीवजीवकै:
bhīṣma uvāca | madagubhiḥ khañjarīṭaiś ca vicitrair jīvajīvakaiḥ | tasmin parvate sarvata apsaraso vicaranti sma | nānāprāṇiśāntadhvaninā tatra sarvaḥ pradeśo vyāptaḥ | sahasrāṇi kinnarāḥ bhramarā madagavaḥ vicitrāḥ khañjarīṭāś cakoraś ca | śatāni madhuravāṇyā suśobhitā vicitravarṇā mayūrāḥ | rājahaṃsasamūhāḥ kālāḥ kokilāś ca tatra śāntāṃ madhurāṃ dhvaniṃ vitanvanti sma ||
भीष्म उवाच—तस्मिन् पर्वते सर्वतः अप्सरसः पर्यचरन्। नानाविधजीवजनितेन शान्तेन मधुरेण नादेन तत्सर्वं प्रदेशं व्याप्तमिवाभवत्। तत्र सहस्रशः किन्नराः, भ्रमराः, मदगवः, विचित्रखञ्जरीटाः, चकोराश्च; मधुरस्वरैर्विराजमानाः शतशो नानावर्णमयूराः; राजहंससमूहाः; कृष्णाः परभृताश्च—सर्वे शान्तं मधुरं ध्वनिं प्रसारयामासुः।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds śānti (tranquility) through an image of harmonious nature and celestial presence, suggesting that a calm environment and gentle sounds support contemplation and the settling of the mind—an important backdrop for ethical reflection in the Śānti Parva.
Bhishma is describing a mountain region teeming with apsarases and many kinds of beings and birds. Their collective, sweet, peaceful sounds pervade the area, creating an atmosphere of serenity.