Shloka 44
Duḥṣantasya Vana-praveśaḥ
King Duḥṣanta’s Entry into the Forest Hunt
पाटलैनरिकेलैश्व चन्दनैश्नार्जुनैस्तथा । एतै रम्यैर्महावक्षै: पुण्यै: स्वादुफलैर्युतम्
pāṭalair narikelaiś ca candanaiś nārjunais tathā | etai ramyair mahāvṛkṣaiḥ puṇyaiḥ svāduphalair yutam ||
Sabi ni Vaiśaṃpāyana: Ang gubat—na pinalamutian ng mga punong pāṭala, niyog, sandalwood, at arjuna—ay punô ng matatangkad, kaaya-aya, dalisay, at mapalad na malalaking punong may matatamis na bunga. Sa tagsibol ito’y kumikislap na parang banal na Caitraratha ng mga diyos, umaalingawngaw sa huni ng mga kukuko at sa ugong ng mga bubuyog na lasing sa pulot, na naglalarawan ng kaayusan ng kalikasan at sagradong ganda na nagbabalangkas sa tagpuang maharlika bilang maayos at pinagpala.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds auspicious natural order: a well-fruited, fragrant, and harmonious forest is presented as a sign of blessing and rightness (puṇya/śrī). By likening the scene to the gods’ Caitraratha grove, the narrative suggests that environments reflecting balance, fertility, and beauty support dharmic life and legitimate royal presence.
Vaiśampāyana describes a springtime forest rich with pāṭala, coconut, sandalwood, and arjuna trees, heavy with sweet fruits and alive with birdsong and bees. The setting is elevated by comparison to the divine Caitraratha forest, emphasizing the extraordinary beauty and auspicious atmosphere surrounding the scene.