Shloka 3
वनप्रस्थानम् (Departure for the Forest) — Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 24
बहुपुष्पफलं रम्यं शिवं पुण्यजनावृतम् । यत्रेमा: शरद: सर्वा: सुखं प्रतिवसेमहि,“जहाँ फल-फूलोंकी अधिकता हो, जो देखनेमें रमणीय एवं कल्याणकारी हो तथा जहाँ बहुत-से पुण्यात्मा पुरुष रहते हों। वह स्थान इस योग्य होना चाहिये, जहाँ हम सब लोग इन बारह वर्षोतक सुखपूर्वक रह सकें”
bahupuṣpaphalaṃ ramyaṃ śivaṃ puṇyajanāvṛtam | yatremaḥ śaradaḥ sarvāḥ sukhaṃ prativasemahi ||
“（当寻）花果繁盛、观之可喜、吉祥而能致安乐之地，又为贤善之人所往来；如此之处，方可使我等在离居之期，历尽诸季而安然栖止。”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in hardship (exile), one should choose a dwelling that supports dharma and inner stability—an environment that is wholesome, auspicious, and shaped by the presence of virtuous people.
The narration describes the criteria for selecting a place to live during the exile: it should be naturally abundant, pleasant, and spiritually safe—fit for enduring the long period away from the kingdom in relative peace.