Vanaparva - Chapter-6

 

वनपर्व - Vanaparva

अध्यायः – 6 ::Chapter-6

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ ततस्तेषु प्रयातेषु कौन्तेयः सत्यसङ्गरः । अभ्यभाषत धर्मात्मा भ्रातॄन्सर्वान्युधिष्ठिरः ॥ ॥ द्वादशेमाः समास्माभिर्वस्तव्यं निर्जने वने । समीक्षध्वं महारण्ये देशं बहुमृगद्विजम् ॥ 2॥ बहुपुष्पफलं रम्यं शिवं पुण्यजनोचितम् । यत्रेमाः शरदः सर्वाः सुखं प्रतिवसेमहि ॥ 3॥ एवमुक्ते प्रत्युवाच धर्मराजं धनञ्जयः । गुरुवन्मानवगुरुं मानयित्वा मनस्विनम् ॥ 4॥ अर्जुन उवाच॥ भवानेव महर्षीणां वृद्धानां पर्युपासिता । अज्ञातं मानुषे लोके भवतो नास्ति किञ्चन ॥ 5॥ त्वया ह्युपासिता नित्यं ब्राह्मणा भरतर्षभ । द्वैपायनप्रभृतयो नारदश्च महातपाः ॥ 6॥ यः सर्वलोकद्वाराणि नित्यं सञ्चरते वशी । देवलोकाद्ब्रह्मलोकं गन्धर्वाप्सरसामपि ॥ 7॥ सर्वा गतीर्विजानासि ब्राह्मणानां न संशयः । प्रभावांश्चैव वेत्थ त्वं सर्वेषामेव पार्थिव ॥ 8॥ त्वमेव राजञ्जानासि श्रेयःकारणमेव च । यत्रेच्छसि महाराज निवासं तत्र कुर्महे ॥ 9॥ इदं द्वैतवनं नाम सरः पुण्यजनोचितम् । बहुपुष्पफलं रम्यं नानाद्विजनिषेवितम् ॥ 10॥ अत्रेमा द्वादश समा विहरेमेति रोचये । यदि तेऽनुमतं राजन्किं वान्यन्मन्यते भवान् ॥ 11॥ युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥ ममाप्येतन्मतं पार्थ त्वया यत्समुदाहृतम् । गच्छाम पुण्यं विख्यातं महद्द्वैतवनं सरः ॥ 12॥ वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ ततस्ते प्रययुः सर्वे पाण्डवा धर्मचारिणः । ब्राह्मणैर्बहुभिः सार्धं पुण्यं द्वैतवनं सरः ॥ 13॥ ब्राह्मणाः साग्निहोत्राश्च तथैव च निरग्नयः । स्वाध्यायिनो भिक्षवश्च सजपा वनवासिनः ॥ 14॥ बहवो ब्राह्मणास्तत्र परिवव्रुर्युधिष्ठिरम् । तपस्विनः सत्यशीलाः शतशः संशितव्रताः ॥ 15॥ ते यात्वा पाण्डवास्तत्र बहुभिर्ब्राह्मणैः सह । पुण्यं द्वैतवनं रम्यं विविशुर्भरतर्षभाः ॥ 16॥ तच्छालतालाम्रमधूकनीप; कदम्बसर्जार्जुनकर्णिकारैः । तपात्यये पुष्पधरैरुपेतं; महावनं राष्ट्रपतिर्ददर्श ॥ 17॥ महाद्रुमाणां शिखरेषु तस्थु;र्मनोरमां वाचमुदीरयन्तः । मयूरदात्यूहचकोरसङ्घा;स्तस्मिन्वने काननकोकिलाश्च ॥ 18॥ करेणुयूथैः सह यूथपानां; मदोत्कटानामचलप्रभाणाम् । महान्ति यूथानि महाद्विपानां; तस्मिन्वने राष्ट्रपतिर्ददर्श ॥ 19॥ मनोरमां भोगवतीमुपेत्य; धृतात्मनां चीरजटाधराणाम् । तस्मिन्वने धर्मभृतां निवासे; ददर्श सिद्धर्षिगणाननेकान् ॥ 20॥ ततः स यानादवरुह्य राजा; सभ्रातृकः सजनः काननं तत् । विवेश धर्मात्मवतां वरिष्ठ;स्त्रिविष्टपं शक्र इवामितौजाः ॥ 21॥ तं सत्यसन्धं सहिताभिपेतु;र्दिदृक्षवश्चारणसिद्धसङ्घाः । वनौकसश्चापि नरेन्द्रसिंहं; मनस्विनं सम्परिवार्य तस्थुः ॥ 22॥ स तत्र सिद्धानभिवाद्य सर्वा;न्प्रत्यर्चितो राजवद्देववच्च । विवेश सर्वैः सहितो द्विजाग्र्यैः; कृताञ्जलिर्धर्मभृतां वरिष्ठः ॥ 23॥ स पुण्यशीलः पितृवन्महात्मा; तपस्विभिर्धर्मपरैरुपेत्य । प्रत्यर्चितः पुष्पधरस्य मूले; महाद्रुमस्योपविवेश राजा ॥ 24॥ भीमश्च कृष्णा च धनञ्जयश्च; यमौ च ते चानुचरा नरेन्द्रम् । विमुच्य वाहानवरुह्य सर्वे; तत्रोपतस्थुर्भरतप्रबर्हाः ॥ 25॥ लतावतानावनतः स पाण्डवै;र्महाद्रुमः पञ्चभिरुग्रधन्विभिः । बभौ निवासोपगतैर्महात्मभि;र्महागिरिर्वारणयूथपैरिव ॥ 26।	26 (344)
Vaisampayana said, "After they had left, Yudhishthira, the honourable son of Kunti and steadfast in his vows, spoke to all his brothers, saying, 'We must live in the solitary forest for the next twelve years. Therefore, seek in this vast forest a place rich in birds, deer, flowers, and fruits—beautiful, blessed, and filled with virtuous people where we can comfortably reside for these years!'  Responding to Yudhishthira, Dhananjaya honoured him as if he were a teacher and replied, 'You have served the wise and elderly sages; nothing escapes your knowledge in the world. You know the views of the Brahmanas and their skills! Great king, you understand what is best for us! Wherever you choose, we will live! There is a lake here, full of sacred waters, known as Dwaitavana, overflowing with flowers, lovely to behold, and home to many birds. If it pleases you, we would like to stay here for twelve years! Do you think differently?' Yudhishthira answered, 'O Partha, what you suggest is appealing! Let us go to that revered and famous large lake called Dwaitavana!'"  " Vaisampayana continued, "Then the noble son of Pandu, along with many Brahmins, went to the sacred lake called Dwaitavana. Yudhishthira was surrounded by numerous Brahmins—some who offered sacrifices with fire, others without, and some who dedicated themselves to the Vedas, living off alms or belonging to the Vanaprastha class. The king was also accompanied by hundreds of wise ascetics who had achieved great spiritual success and upheld strict vows. As the sons of Pandu ventured forth with these many Brahmins, they entered the enchanting woods of Dwaita.  The king observed the vast forest, flourishing at the end of summer with Sal trees, palms, mangoes, Madhukas, Nipahs, Kadamvas, Sarjjas, and Arjunas, many adorned with flowers. Flocks of peacocks, Datyuhas, Chakoras, Varhins, and Kokilas perched on the tallest trees, filling the air with their sweet songs. The king also witnessed mighty herds of gigantic elephants, as large as hills, with their juices flowing during the rutting season, accompanied by herds of female elephants. Near the beautiful Bhogavati (Saraswati), he saw many successful ascetics residing in that forest, alongside virtuous men of pure souls, clad in tree bark and sporting matted locks on their heads."  As they stepped down from their chariots, the virtuous king, along with his brothers and supporters, entered the forest like the powerful Indra entering heaven. Many sages and chranas, eager to see the truth-loving ruler, gathered around him. The forest's inhabitants surrounded this wise lion of a king. After greeting the ascetics, who returned his respect as befits a king or a deity, the noble king entered the forest with hands clasped, joined by those esteemed sages. The famed king, greeted by those righteous hermits, seated himself at the base of a grand flowering tree, much like his father Pandu did in the past. The chiefs of the Bharata clan—Bhima, Dhananjaya, the twins, Krishna, and their weary companions—left their vehicles and surrounded this finest of kings. The massive tree, weighed down with vines, resembled a mountain supporting five mighty elephants resting beneath it.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः ।1 विविक्ते विदितप्रज्ञमर्जुनं भरतर्षभम् । सान्त्वपूर्वं स्मितं कृत्वा पाणिना परिसंस्पृशन् ॥ 2॥ स मुहूर्तमिव ध्यात्वा वनवासमरिंदमः । धनञ्जयं धर्मराजो रहसीदमुवाच ह ॥ 3॥ युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥ भीष्मे द्रोणे कृपे कर्णे द्रोणपुत्रे च भारत । धनुर्वेदश्चतुष्पाद एतेष्वद्य प्रतिष्ठितः ॥ 4 ब्राह्मं दैवमासुरं च सप्रयोगचिकित्सितम् । सर्वास्त्राणां प्रयोगं च तेऽभिजानन्ति कृत्स्नशः ॥ 5॥ ते सर्वे धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्रेण परिसान्त्विताः । संविभक्ताश्च तुष्टाश्च गुरुवत्तेषु वर्तते ॥ 6॥ सर्वयोधेषु चैवास्य सदा वृत्तिरनुत्तमा । शक्तिं न हापयिष्यन्ति ते काले प्रतिपूजिताः ॥ 7॥ तपसा योजयात्मानमुग्रेण भरतर्षभ ॥ ॥ धनुष्मान्कवची खड्गी मुनिः सारसमन्वितः ।8 न कस्यचिद्ददन्मार्गं गच्छ तातोत्तरां दिशम् ॥ धनुर्गाण्डीवमादाय तथाक्षय्यौ महेषुधी ॥ 9॥ कवची सतलत्राणो बद्धगोधाङ्गुलित्रवान् । हुत्वाग्निं ब्राह्मणान्निष्कैः स्वस्ति वाच्य महाभुजः ॥ 10॥ प्रातिष्ठत महाबाहुः प्रगृहीतशरासनः । वधाय धार्तराष्ट्राणां निःश्वस्योर्ध्वमुदीक्ष्य च ॥11 तं दृष्ट्वा तत्र कौन्तेयं प्रगृहीतशरासनम् । अब्रुवन्ब्राह्मणाः सिद्धा भूतान्यन्तर्हितानि च ॥ क्षिप्रं प्राप्नुहि कौन्तेय मनसा यद्यदिच्छसि ॥ 12॥ तं सिंहमिव गच्छन्तं शालस्कन्धोरुमर्जुनम् । मनांस्यादाय सर्वेषां कृष्णा वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 13॥ यत्ते कुन्ती महाबाहो जातस्यैच्छद्धनञ्जय । तत्तेऽस्तु सर्वं कौन्तेय यथा च स्वयमिच्छसि ॥14 ततः प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा भ्रातॄन्धौम्यं च पाण्डवः । प्रातिष्ठत महाबाहुः प्रगृह्य रुचिरं धनुः ॥15 सोऽगच्छत्पर्वतं पुण्यमेकाह्नैव महामनाः । मनोजवगतिर्भूत्वा योगयुक्तो यथानिलः ॥ 16॥ हिमवन्तमतिक्रम्य गन्धमादनमेव च । अत्यक्रामत्स दुर्गाणि दिवारात्रमतन्द्रितः ॥ 17॥ इन्द्रकीलं समासाद्य ततोऽतिष्ठद्धनञ्जयः । अन्तरिक्षे हि शुश्राव तिष्ठेति स वचस्तदा ॥ 18॥ ततोऽपश्यत्सव्यसाची वृक्षमूले तपस्विनम् । ब्राह्म्या श्रिया दीप्यमानं पिङ्गलं जटिलं कृशम् ॥ 19॥ सोऽब्रवीदर्जुनं तत्र स्थितं दृष्ट्वा महातपाः । कस्त्वं तातेह सम्प्राप्तो धनुष्मान्कवची शरी ॥ 20 निबद्धासितलत्राणः क्षत्रधर्ममनुव्रतः ॥ 21॥ नेह शस्त्रेण कर्तव्यं शान्तानामयमालयः । विनीतक्रोधहर्षाणां ब्राह्मणानां तपस्विनाम् ॥ 22॥ नेहास्ति धनुषा कार्यं न सङ्ग्रामेण कर्हिचित् । निक्षिपैतद्धनुस्तात प्राप्तोऽसि परमां गतिम् ॥ 23॥ इत्यनन्तौजसं वीरं यथा चान्यं पृथग्जनम् । तथा वाचमथाभीक्ष्णं ब्राह्मणोऽर्जुनमब्रवीत् ॥ न चैनं चालयामास धैर्यात्सुदृढनिश्चयम् ॥ 24॥ तमुवाच ततः प्रीतः स द्विजः प्रहसन्निव । वरं वृणीष्व भद्रं ते शक्रोऽहमरिसूदन । 25 नृत्तं गीतं च कौन्तेय चित्रसेनादवाप्नुहि ॥ वादित्रं देवविहितं नृलोके यन्न विद्यते। 26 तदर्जयस्व कौन्तेय श्रेयो वै ते भविष्यति ॥ सखायं प्रददौ चास्य चित्रसेनं पुरंदरः। 27 स तेन सह संगम्य रेमे पार्थो निरामयः ॥ गीतवादित्रनृत्यानि भूय एवादिदेश ह। 28 तथाऽपि नालभच्छर्म तरस्वी द्यूतकारितम् ॥ दुःशासनवधामर्षी शकुनेः सौबलस्य च। 29 ततस्तेनातुलां प्रीतिमुपागम्य क्वचित्क्वचित्। गान्धऱ्वमतुलं नृत्यं वादित्रं चोपलब्धवान् ॥30 स शिक्षितो नृत्यगुणाननेकान्वादित्रगीतार्थगुणांश्च सर्वान्। न शर्ण लेभे परवीरहन्ता भ्रातॄन्स्मरन्मातरं चैव कुन्तीम् ॥ 31 पुरंदरनियोगाच्च पञ्चाब्दमवसत्सुखी ॥32	32 (376)
Vaisampayana said, "After a while, as he held Arjuna's hands, with a smile and a gentle voice, the noble Yudhishthira spoke privately to Dhananjaya, 'O Bharata, the entire mastery of warfare resides in Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, and Drona's son. They are well-versed in all forms of Brahma, celestial, human, and Vayavya weapons, along with their applications and defences. All of them are respected and appreciated by Dhritarashtra's son, who treats them as one should treat a teacher.  Dhritarashtra's son shows great affection to all his warriors, and in return, the honoured chiefs seek his well-being. Such respect will inspire them to exert their full strength. So, O leading warrior of the Bharata clan, dedicate yourself to intense ascetic practices. Equipped with your bow and sword, clad in armour, commit to rigorous vows and head northward, without yielding to anyone. With his strong arms, Arjuna took up the Gandiva and his endless quivers, dressed in armour and protective gear made from guana skin, and, having performed rituals with offerings and received blessings from the Brahmanas, set off in the northern direction." As Kunti's son stood ready and prepared to embark, the Brahmins, sages, and unseen spirits spoke to him, saying, 'O son of Kunti, may you soon achieve your desires.' Noticing the valiant Arjuna, whose thighs were as strong as tree trunks, ready to depart and capturing the hearts of all, Krishna addressed him, 'O mighty one, may all that Kunti wished for at your birth, as well as your own wishes, come true. The strong-armed son of Pandu then walked around his brothers and Dhaumya, took up his beautiful bow, and set off. Every creature stepped aside as Arjuna, filled with energy and determination to see Indra, moved on his journey.  He crossed numerous mountains inhabited by sages before reaching the sacred Himavat, cherished by the gods. The noble one got to the sacred mountain in a single day, as swift as the wind due to his intense penance. After crossing Himavat and the Gandhamadana, he navigated many rugged and perilous places, traveling tirelessly day and night. Upon reaching Indrakila, Dhananjaya paused briefly. Then, he heard a voice in the heavens calling, 'Stop!' Hearing this, the son of Pandu looked around. Arjuna, skilled enough to wield his left hand as well as his right, then noticed an ascetic beneath a tree, radiating the brilliance of Brahma, with tawny skin, matted hair, and a slender frame.  The great sage, seeing Arjuna stop at that place, spoke to him, saying, 'Who are you, young one, arriving here with your bow and arrows, dressed in armor and equipped for battle, clearly committed to the ways of the warrior? There is no need for weapons here. This is a home for peaceful sages dedicated to deep meditation, free from anger and joy. Your bow serves no purpose here, as there are no conflicts to resolve in this place. So, set aside your bow, young one. You have reached a state of purity by coming here. O brave one, there is no one like you in strength and valor.' The sage spoke to Arjuna with a smile, but he could not sway the warrior, determined in his intent. The sage, feeling joyful, addressed Arjuna again, saying, 'O foe-slayer, may you be blessed! I am Sakra: ask for the gift you desire.' Indra told him, 'O son of Kunti, learn music and dance from Chitrasena. Master the heavenly music, which is unlike anything known to people, for it will serve you well. Purandara has given Chitrasena as a companion to Arjuna, and the son of Pritha found happiness in their friendship.'.  Chitrasena taught Arjuna continuously about singing, playing instruments, and dancing. Still, the restless Arjuna struggled to find peace, tormented by the unfair dice games of Shakuni, son of Suvala, and consumed by thoughts of Dussasana and his desire for revenge. However, as his friendship with Chitrasena grew stronger, he slowly became skilled in the remarkable dances and music of the Gandharvas. Ultimately, even with his knowledge of various dances and both sung and played music, the enemy-slayer found it hard to find tranquility, weighed down by memories of his brothers and his mother Kunti.  Under Indra's command, he stayed there for five full years, surrounded by comfort and luxury.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ वानेयं च मृगांश्चैव शुद्धैर्बाणैर्निपातितान् । ब्राह्मणानां निवेद्याग्रमभुञ्जन्पुरुषर्षभाः ॥ 1॥ तांस्तु शूरान्महेष्वासांस्तदा निवसतो वने । अन्वयुर्ब्राह्मणा राजन्साग्नयोऽनग्नयस्तथा ॥ 2॥ ब्राह्मणानां सहस्राणि स्नातकानां महात्मनाम् । दश मोक्षविदां तद्वद्यान्बिभर्ति युधिष्ठिरः ॥ 3॥ रुरून्कृष्णमृगांश्चैव मेध्यांश्चान्यान्वनेचरान् । बाणैरुन्मथ्य विधिवद्ब्राह्मणेभ्यो न्यवेदयत् ॥ 4॥ न तत्र कश्चिद्दुर्वर्णो व्याधितो वाप्यदृश्यत । कृशो वा दुर्बलो वापि दीनो भीतोऽपि वा नरः ॥ 5॥ पुत्रानिव प्रियाञ्ज्ञातीन्भ्रातॄनिव सहोदरान् । पुपोष कौरवश्रेष्ठो धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः ॥ 6॥ पतींश्च द्रौपदी सर्वान्द्विजांश्चैव यशस्विनी । मातेव भोजयित्वाग्रे शिष्टमाहारयत्तदा ॥ 7॥ प्राचीं राजा दक्षिणां भीमसेनो; यमौ प्रतीचीमथ वाप्युदीचीम् । धनुर्धरा मांसहेतोर्मृगाणां; क्षयं चक्रुर्नित्यमेवोपगम्य ॥ 8॥ तथा तेषां वसतां काम्यके वै; विहीनानामर्जुनेनोत्सुकानाम् । पञ्चैव वर्षाणि तदा व्यतीयु;रधीयतां जपतां जुह्वतां च ॥ 9॥	9 (385)
Vaisampayana said, "Those remarkable men, gathering food from the wilderness and skillfully hunting deer with precise arrows, first offered a portion of their bounty to the Brahmins, keeping the rest for themselves. For, O king, while these heroes, armed with mighty bows, lived in the forest, they were accompanied by Brahmins of both types: those who worshipped with fire and those who did not. There were ten thousand distinguished Snataka Brahmins, well-versed in the paths to salvation, whom Yudhishthira supported in the woods.  As they hunted Rurus, black deer, and other pure animals of the wilderness with their arrows, he shared the spoils with the Brahmins. No one living with Yudhishthira appeared pale, weak, or anxious. The noble king Yudhishthira cared for his brothers as if they were his own sons, and treated his relatives like true brothers. Draupadi, of virtuous reputation, nourished her husbands and the Brahmins as if she were their mother, serving them first before taking her own meal. The king ventured east, Bhima journeyed south, and the twins went west and north, daily hunting forest deer for sustenance. Thus, the Pandavas lived for five years in the Kamyaka woods, troubled by Arjuna's absence, yet devoted to studying, praying, and making sacrifices throughout their time there."

 

इति श्री जयसंहिते  वनपर्वणि षष्ठोऽध्यायः॥

Vanaparva Chapter- 5

Vanaparva Chapter- 7