Shloka 4
Droṇotpattiḥ, Astralābhaḥ, Drupada-vairasya bījaṃ ca
The Birth of Droṇa, Acquisition of Weapons, and the Seed of Enmity with Drupada
यदि वास्य वनस्य त्वं देवता यदि वाप्सरा: । आचक्ष्व मम तत् सर्व किमर्थ चेह तिष्ठसि,“यदि तुम इस वनकी देवी अथवा अप्सरा हो तो वह सब मुझे ठीक-ठीक बता दो; साथ ही यह भी कहो कि किस कामके लिये यहाँ खड़ी हो?”
yadi vāsya vanasya tvaṃ devatā yadi vāpsarāḥ | ācakṣva mama tat sarvaṃ kimartha ceha tiṣṭhasi ||
Vaiśampāyana nói: “Nếu nàng là vị thần hộ trì khu rừng này, hoặc là một apsaras, thì hãy nói rõ cho ta mọi điều. Và cũng hãy cho biết vì việc gì mà nàng đứng ở đây.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models prudent and respectful inquiry: when encountering an unknown presence in the forest, one should first ascertain identity and intention, acknowledging the possibility of divinity and seeking clarity before acting.
A speaker addresses a mysterious female figure in a forest setting, asking whether she is the forest’s presiding deity or an apsaras, and requests that she explain who she is and why she is present there.