Shloka 20
Nahūṣa as Ajagara: Virtue Hierarchy, Karmic Gati, and the Psychology of Mind–Intellect
ते द्वादशं वर्षमुपोपयातं वने विहर्तु कुरव: प्रतीता: तस्माद् वनाच्चैत्ररथप्रकाशात् श्रिया ज्वलन्तस्तपसा च युक्ता:
te dvādaśaṁ varṣam upopayātaṁ vane vihartu kuravaḥ pratītāḥ | tasmād vanāc caitraratha-prakāśāt śriyā jvalantas tapasā ca yuktāḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Nang dumating ang ikalabindalawang taon, ang mga Kuru na nagpasiyang gugulin ang kanilang panahon sa gubat ay lumisan mula sa kagubatang iyon—na maliwanag na tulad ng Citraratha—nagniningning sa dangal at pinatatatag ng pag-aayuno at disiplina (tapas).
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that genuine excellence combines outer fortune (śrī) with inner discipline (tapas). Even in exile, ethical strength is shown through resolve, restraint, and steadfastness rather than comfort alone.
As the twelfth year arrives, the Kurus (contextually the exiled party) are determined to spend their time in the forest. They depart from a forest described as radiant like Citraratha, portrayed as both splendid and marked by ascetic discipline.