Shloka 41

Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 1 — The Pandavas’ Exit from Gajasāhvaya and the Citizens’ Lament (जनमेजयप्रश्नः; पाण्डवानां वनप्रस्थानम्)

Devanagari script

निवत्तेषु तु पौरेषु रथानास्थाय पाण्डवा: | आजममुर्जालह्नवीतीरे प्रमाणाख्यं महावटम्‌,पुरवासियोंके लौट जानेपर पाण्डवगण रथोंपर बैठकर गंगाजीके किनारे प्रमाणकोटि नामक महान्‌ वटके समीप आये

Transliteration

nivṛtteṣu tu paureṣu rathān āsthāya pāṇḍavāḥ | ājagmur jāhnavī-tīre pramāṇākhyaṁ mahāvaṭam ||

Translation

城中百姓回转之后，般度五子登上战车，前往阇诃那毗（恒河）之滨，来到那株名为“普罗摩那”的大榕树旁。

Word by Word

निवृत्तेषुwhen (they) had returned

तुbut/indeed

पौरेषुamong the townsmen/citizens

रथान्chariots

आस्थायhaving mounted/ascended

पाण्डवाःthe Pandavas

आजग्मुःcame/arrived

ह्नवीतीरेon the bank of the Hnavī (Ganga)

प्रमाणाख्यम्named ‘Pramāṇa’

महावटम्the great banyan tree

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Pāṇḍavas

paurāḥ (townspeople/citizens)

Jāhnavī (Gaṅgā river)

Pramāṇa (named great banyan tree)

ratha (chariots)

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights disciplined adherence to dharma: the Pāṇḍavas proceed calmly once the citizens withdraw, suggesting restraint, composure, and purposeful action even amid injustice and sorrow.

What is happening in the narrative?

After the townspeople return, the Pāṇḍavas mount their chariots and travel to the Gaṅgā’s bank, reaching a landmark banyan tree called Pramāṇa—marking a stage in their departure toward exile.