Mahabharata 1.27.7 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 27, Shloka 7
Vālakhilya-Tapas and the Birth of Garuḍa (वालखिल्यतपः-गरुडोत्पत्तिः)
वायुविक्षिप्तकुसुमैस्तथान्यैरपि पादपै: । किरद्धिरिव तत्रस्थान् नागान् पुष्पाम्बुवृष्टिभि:
vāyuvikṣiptakusumais tathānyair api pādapaiḥ | kiraddhir iva tatrasthān nāgān puṣpāmbuvṛṣṭibhiḥ ||
காற்றின் தள்ளுதலால் மற்ற மரங்களின் மலர்களும் உதிர்ந்தன—அங்கே இருந்த நாகர்கள்மேல் மலரும் நீரும் மழையாகப் பொழிந்து, வனமே அவர்களுக்கு அர்க்யம் செலுத்துவது போலத் தோன்றியது.
पितामह उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses auspicious natural imagery to highlight the ethic of satkāra (honouring guests and worthy beings): even the environment is portrayed as offering arghya, suggesting that reverence and proper reception are dharmic responses to the presence of significant beings.
In the scene described by Pitāmaha, wind-driven blossoms and falling flowers from surrounding trees create the impression of a deliberate shower over the nāgas present there, as if the grove is ritually welcoming them with floral and watery offerings.
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