Shloka 5
Yajña-bhāga-vyavasthā and the Pravṛtti–Nivṛtti Framework (यज्ञभागव्यवस्था तथा प्रवृत्तिनिवृत्तिधर्मविवेचनम्)
मदगुभि: खग्जरीटैश्न विचित्रैर्जीवजीवकै:
bhīṣma uvāca | madagubhiḥ khañjarīṭaiś ca vicitrair jīvajīvakaiḥ | tasmin parvate sarvata apsaraso vicaranti sma | nānāprāṇiśāntadhvaninā tatra sarvaḥ pradeśo vyāptaḥ | sahasrāṇi kinnarāḥ bhramarā madagavaḥ vicitrāḥ khañjarīṭāś cakoraś ca | śatāni madhuravāṇyā suśobhitā vicitravarṇā mayūrāḥ | rājahaṃsasamūhāḥ kālāḥ kokilāś ca tatra śāntāṃ madhurāṃ dhvaniṃ vitanvanti sma ||
毗湿摩说道：“在那座山上，天女（阿普萨拉）四处游行。整个山域都被万类生灵所发出的宁静、抚慰的回响所充满。那里有成千上万的紧那罗，又有蜂群、摩达古鸟、斑斓的鹡鸰与鹧鸪；还有数百只五彩孔雀，以甜美鸣声为饰；成群的王天鹅，以及乌黑的杜鹃——都在散布柔和而悠扬的音律。”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds śānti (tranquility) through an image of harmonious nature and celestial presence, suggesting that a calm environment and gentle sounds support contemplation and the settling of the mind—an important backdrop for ethical reflection in the Śānti Parva.
Bhishma is describing a mountain region teeming with apsarases and many kinds of beings and birds. Their collective, sweet, peaceful sounds pervade the area, creating an atmosphere of serenity.