Shloka 20
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
स्कन्धवान् मेघसड्काश: शीतच्छायो मनोरम: । अरण्यमभितो जात: स तु व्यालमृगाकुल:
skandhavān meghasaṅkāśaḥ śītacchāyo manoramaḥ | araṇyam abhito jātaḥ sa tu vyālamṛgākulaḥ ||
毗湿摩说道：那树枝干粗壮，葱茏如云；其荫清凉可喜。因立于林畔，遂成众多蛇类与野兽的栖身与聚集之所。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily uses vivid natural imagery: what appears beautiful and comforting (a cool, charming tree) can simultaneously be a dwelling for dangerous beings. In ethical reflection, it supports the Shanti Parva’s broader tendency to examine appearances versus realities and the mixed consequences of any ‘shelter’ or ‘support’ in the world.
Bhīṣma is describing a particular tree near a forest—its thick branches, cloud-like greenness, and cool shade—while noting that it is surrounded by and inhabited by serpents and wild animals, setting the scene for the surrounding discussion or exemplum.