Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 51
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
सकृप्प्रभिन्नैश्व गजैर्विं भूषित॑ प्रहृषष्नानाविधपक्षिसेवितम् । सुपुष्पितैरम्बुधरप्रकाशै- महीरुहाणां च वनैर्विचित्रै:
sakṛt-prabhinnaiś ca gajair vibhūṣitaṃ prahṛṣṭa-nānā-vidha-pakṣi-sevitam | su-puṣpitair ambudhara-prakāśair mahī-ruhāṇāṃ ca vanair vicitram ||
Wika ni Vāsudeva: Ang kakahuyan-sa-hardin ng āśrama ay pinalamutian ng mga elepanteng minsan pa lamang pumutok ang unang agos ng musth sa kanilang sentido. Maraming uri ng ibon, nagagalak at nagsisigawan sa tuwa, ang namugad sa mga puno. Ang sari-saring gubat na hitik sa malalaking punò ay namumulaklak nang sagana—kumikinang na parang mga ulap-ulan—kaya’t ang buong āśrama ay naging bukod-tanging maganda at payapa.
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse reinforces the Mahābhārata’s ethical valuation of the āśrama as a space of dharma: harmony with nature, calmness, and restraint. The serene, flourishing environment functions as a moral backdrop—suggesting that inner discipline and righteous living are supported by a peaceful, sattvic setting.
Vāsudeva is describing the beauty of a hermitage-grove: elephants in early rut enhance its grandeur, many joyful birds inhabit the trees, and the forests are thick with blossoms that look like rain-clouds—together creating an exceptional, sacred atmosphere.