Shloka 86
Ākiṃcanya–Tyāga Upadeśa
The Instruction on Non-ownership and Renunciation
समन्ततो द्विजश्रेष्ठास्तत्राकूजन्त वै तदा । शाल, ताल, तमाल, काले अगुरुके वन तथा श्रेष्ठ चन्दनके वृक्ष उस वनको सुशोभित करते थे। वहाँके रमणीय और सुगन्धित पर्वतीय समतल प्रदेशोंमें चारों ओर उत्तमोत्तम पक्षी कलरव कर रहे थे
samantato dvijaśreṣṭhās tatrākūjanta vai tadā | śāla-tāla-tamāla-kāle ’guru-ke vane tathā śreṣṭha-candana-vṛkṣā vanaṃ suśobhitaṃ cakruḥ | tatra ramaṇīyeṣu sugandhiṣu parvatīya-samatalapradeśeṣu caturdiśaṃ śreṣṭha-pakṣiṇaḥ kalāravaṃ cakruḥ ||
Sabi ni Bhīṣma: “Sa paligid, ang pinakamahuhusay sa mga ‘dalawang-bes na isinilang’ ay nag-aalingawngaw ang tinig noon. Ang gubat ay pinaganda ng mga punong śāla, tāla, tamāla, ng maiitim na punong aguru, at ng pinakamainam na punong sandalwood. Sa mga kaaya-aya at mababangong talampas ng kabundukan, sa bawat panig, ang pinakamahuhusay na ibon ay nag-aawitan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharmic setting through auspicious natural imagery: a fragrant, orderly forest and melodious sounds surrounding learned brāhmaṇas. In Śānti Parva, such descriptions often signal a conducive environment for instruction, restraint, and the pursuit of peace-oriented dharma.
Bhīṣma describes a beautiful forested mountain region—rich with śāla, palm, tamāla, agarwood, and sandalwood—where birds sing in all directions and eminent brāhmaṇas are present, creating a vivid, serene backdrop for the ongoing discourse.