Shloka 20
Nahūṣa as Ajagara: Virtue Hierarchy, Karmic Gati, and the Psychology of Mind–Intellect
ते द्वादशं वर्षमुपोपयातं वने विहर्तु कुरव: प्रतीता: तस्माद् वनाच्चैत्ररथप्रकाशात् श्रिया ज्वलन्तस्तपसा च युक्ता:
te dvādaśaṁ varṣam upopayātaṁ vane vihartu kuravaḥ pratītāḥ | tasmād vanāc caitraratha-prakāśāt śriyā jvalantas tapasā ca yuktāḥ ||
毗湿摩波耶那说道：当第十二年到来之时，决意以林居度日的俱卢诸人便从那片林地出发——其林明耀如“支特罗罗他”——他们因福泽而光彩照人，又因苦行而更为坚实。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that genuine excellence combines outer fortune (śrī) with inner discipline (tapas). Even in exile, ethical strength is shown through resolve, restraint, and steadfastness rather than comfort alone.
As the twelfth year arrives, the Kurus (contextually the exiled party) are determined to spend their time in the forest. They depart from a forest described as radiant like Citraratha, portrayed as both splendid and marked by ascetic discipline.