Shloka 22
Yuga-Lakṣaṇa and Varṣa-Pramāṇa Inquiry (युगलक्षण–वर्षप्रमाण–प्रश्न)
श्यामो यस्मात् प्रवृत्तो वै तत् ते वक्ष्यामि भारत । आस्तेऊत्र भगवान् कृष्णस्तत्कान्त्या श्यामतां गत:
śyāmo yasmāt pravṛtto vai tat te vakṣyāmi bhārata | āste 'tra bhagavān kṛṣṇas tat-kāntyā śyāmatāṁ gataḥ ||
قال سنجيا: «يا بهاراتا، سأخبرك لِمَ صار هذا الموضع داكن اللون، ولِمَ يُكسب غيره اللون نفسه. هنا يقيم الربّ المبارك كريشنا؛ وبإشراق لونِه هو، اكتست هذه الناحية بذلك السواد (ويُقال إن القرب منها يؤثر كذلك في ساكنيها).»
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes the transformative power of divine presence: the Lord’s inherent splendor is portrayed as capable of sanctifying and even altering the character of a place and those near it, suggesting that proximity to the divine elevates and reshapes one’s condition.
Sañjaya addresses Dhṛtarāṣṭra and explains the cause behind a region’s dark hue, attributing it to the residence of Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa there—its darkness is said to be derived from (and reflective of) Kṛṣṇa’s own radiance/complexion.