Shloka 5
Tapas as the Root of Attainment (तपः—साधनमूलप्रशंसा)
हिमवन्तं समासाद्य महानासीद् वनस्पति: । वर्षपूगाभिसंवृद्ध: शाखी स्कन्धी पलाशवान्,हिमालय पर्वतपर एक बहुत बड़ा वनस्पति था, जो बहुत वर्षोंसे बढ़कर प्रबल हो गया था। वह स्कन्ध, शाखा और पत्तोंसे खूब हरा-भरा था
himavantaṃ samāsādya mahān āsīd vanaspatiḥ | varṣa-pūgābhisaṃvṛddhaḥ śākhī skandhī palāśavān |
毗湿摩说道：“到了雪山（希摩梵）之地，有一株参天大树巍然屹立。经年累岁滋养而愈发强健——干坚枝展，叶繁荫浓。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sets up a moral illustration using a long-grown, flourishing tree: in Śānti Parva such images commonly introduce reflections on how sustained time, proper conditions, and steady growth lead to strength—paralleling the cultivation of dharma, restraint, and stable conduct.
Bhīṣma begins a descriptive episode: at the Himavat there is a huge, ancient, well-nourished tree with a strong trunk, many branches, and rich foliage—an opening scene likely preparing for an allegory or instruction.