Shloka 17
Bhṛgu–Bharadvāja-saṃvāda: Vānaprastha-parivrājaka-ācāra, Abhaya-dharma, and Lokānāṃ Vibhāga (Śānti-parva 185)
सुखदु:खयोश्व ग्रहणाच्छिन्नस्य च विरोहणात् | जीवं पश्यामि वृक्षाणामचैतन्यं न विद्यते,वृक्ष कट जानेपर उनमें नया अंकुर उत्पन्न हो जाता है और वे सुख-दुःखको ग्रहण करते हैं। इससे मैं देखता हूँ कि वृक्षोंमें जीव भी हैं। वे अचेतन नहीं हैं
sukha-duḥkhayoś ca grahaṇāc chinnasya ca virohaṇāt | jīvaṁ paśyāmi vṛkṣāṇām acaitanyaṁ na vidyate ||
سکھ اور دکھ کو محسوس کرنے اور کٹ جانے پر بھی پھر سے کونپل نکل آنے کے سبب میں درختوں میں حیات کا اصول دیکھتا ہوں؛ وہ بے شعور نہیں ہیں۔
भरद्वाज उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse argues for the presence of jīva (a living principle) in trees, inferred from their capacity to register harm (pleasure/pain) and to regenerate after being cut; ethically, it supports a broader, more careful application of non-violence and moral consideration toward plant life.
In the Śānti Parva’s reflective discourse, Bharadvāja presents a reasoned observation: trees are not merely inert matter, since they respond to injury and show regrowth; therefore he concludes they possess life rather than being wholly insentient.