Shloka 15

Śamī-vṛkṣe śastra-nidhāna and Entry into Virāṭa’s Capital (शमीवृक्षे शस्त्रनिधानम्)

Devanagari script

उत्पथे हि वने जाता मृगव्यालनिषेविते । समीपे च श्मशानस्य गहनस्य विशेषत:,यह वृक्ष रास्तेसे बहुत दूर जंगलमें है। इसके आसपास हिंसक जीव और सर्प आदि रहते हैं। विशेषतः यह दुर्गम श्मशानभूमिके निकट है; (अत: यहाँतक किसीके आने या वृक्षपर चढ़नेकी सम्भावना नहीं है;) इसलिये इसी शमीवृक्षपर हम अपने अस्त्र-शस्त्र रखकर नगरमें चलें। भारत! ऐसा करके हम यहाँ जैसा सुयोग होगा, उसके अनुसार विचरण करेंगे

Transliteration

utpathe hi vane jātā mṛgavyāla-niṣevite | samīpe ca śmaśānasya gahanasya viśeṣataḥ ||

Translation

उत्पथे हि वने जाता मृगव्यालनिषेविते। समीपे च श्मशानस्य गहनस्य विशेषतः॥ तस्मादस्यां शम्यां शस्त्राणि निधाय नगरं व्रजाम। भारत! कृत्वैतदत्र यथायोगं विहरिष्याम॥

Word by Word

utpatheon a wrong/trackless path

hiindeed/for

vanein the forest

jataborn/arisen (situated)

mrgavyala-nisevitefrequented by deer and wild beasts

samipenear

caand

smasanasyaof the cremation-ground

gahanasyaof the dense/impassable (place)

visesatahespecially

Speaker

अजुन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Arjuna

Bhārata (addressed person, i.e., Yudhiṣṭhira in context)

forest (vana)

cremation-ground (śmaśāna)

śamī tree (implied by the narrative context of weapon storage)

weapons (astra-śastra; implied by the narrative context)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Dharma in practice often requires prudent strategy: safeguarding one’s responsibilities (here, the warriors’ weapons and readiness) while avoiding unnecessary danger or suspicion. The verse highlights foresight, restraint, and choosing a secure place that minimizes harm and interference.

What is happening in the narrative?

As the Pāṇḍavas prepare to enter Virāṭa’s city in disguise during their incognito year, Arjuna points out a remote, dangerous spot near a cremation-ground where few would venture. He proposes storing their weapons there (traditionally on a śamī tree) before entering the city, so they can live unobtrusively yet remain prepared.