तस्मिन् प्रतिवसन्तस्ते यत् प्रापु: कुरुसत्तमा: । वने क्लेशं सुखोदर्क तत् प्रवक्ष्यामि ते शूणु,राजन! उस वनमें रहते हुए उन कुरुश्रेष्ठ पाण्डवोंने जो भविष्यमें सुख देनेवाला क्लेश उठाया, उसका वर्णन करता हूँ, सुनो--
tasmin prativasantas te yat prāpuḥ kurusattamāḥ | vane kleśaṃ sukhodarka tat pravakṣyāmi te śṛṇu, rājan ||
Wika ni Vaiśampāyana: “O hari, makinig ka. Isasalaysay ko ang mga paghihirap na tiniis ng mga pinakadakila sa angkan ng Kuru—ang mga Pāṇḍava—habang naninirahan sa gubat na iyon, mga paghihirap na sa bandang huli’y mamumunga rin sa kaligayahan.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse frames suffering as potentially purposeful: hardships borne with steadiness can mature into future well-being. Ethically, it highlights endurance and dharmic resilience—accepting trials without abandoning right conduct, trusting that outcomes unfold over time.
The narrator Vaiśampāyana addresses the king and announces a forthcoming account of the Pāṇḍavas’ experiences in the forest—specifically the difficulties they faced during exile, described as pains that would later yield happiness.