Shloka 17
Bhṛgu–Bharadvāja-saṃvāda: Vānaprastha-parivrājaka-ācāra, Abhaya-dharma, and Lokānāṃ Vibhāga (Śānti-parva 185)
सुखदु:खयोश्व ग्रहणाच्छिन्नस्य च विरोहणात् | जीवं पश्यामि वृक्षाणामचैतन्यं न विद्यते
sukha-duḥkhayoś ca grahaṇāc chinnasya ca virohaṇāt | jīvaṁ paśyāmi vṛkṣāṇām acaitanyaṁ na vidyate ||
இன்பமும் துன்பமும் உணர்வதும், வெட்டப்பட்டபின்பும் மீண்டும் முளைப்பதும்— இதனால் மரங்களில் உயிர்தத்துவம் இருப்பதை நான் காண்கிறேன்; அவை அசேதனமல்ல.
भरद्वाज उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse argues for the presence of jīva (a living principle) in trees, inferred from their capacity to register harm (pleasure/pain) and to regenerate after being cut; ethically, it supports a broader, more careful application of non-violence and moral consideration toward plant life.
In the Śānti Parva’s reflective discourse, Bharadvāja presents a reasoned observation: trees are not merely inert matter, since they respond to injury and show regrowth; therefore he concludes they possess life rather than being wholly insentient.