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 ||
Wika ni Narada: “Napapaligiran ng magagandang babae, mga kuwintas ng bulaklak at pabango, at tinatamasa ang saganang pagkain at sari-saring inuming nakalulugod, ginugol nila ang mga araw sa sukdulang ligaya. Ipinipinta ng taludtod ang buhay na lubog sa pagnanasa, at tahimik na itinatapat ito sa mas matatag na layon ng dharma at pagpipigil-sa-sarili.”
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.