Shloka 14
भूमिगुण-प्रश्नः
Inquiry into the qualities of Earth and the classification of beings
नदीजलप्रतिच्छन्न: पर्वतैश्नाभ्रसंनिभै: | प्रैश्न विविधाकारै रम्यैर्जनपदैस्तथा,वह नाना प्रकारकी नदियोंके जलसे आच्छादित, मेघके समान उच्चतम पर्वतोंसे सुशोभित, भाँति-भाँतिके नगरों, रमणीय जनपदों तथा फल-फूलसे भरे हुए वृक्षोंसे विभूषित है। यह द्वीप भाँति-भाँतिकी सम्पदाओं तथा धन-धान्यसे सम्पन्न है। उसे सब ओरसे लवणसमुद्रने घेर रखा है
sañjaya uvāca |
nadī-jala-praticchannaḥ parvataiś cābhra-sannibhaiḥ |
prāyaiś ca vividha-ākāraiḥ ramyair janapadaiḥ tathā ||
قال سنجيا: إنّ تلك الأرض مغطّاةٌ بمياه أنهارٍ كثيرة، ومزيّنةٌ بجبالٍ شامخةٍ تشبه السحاب. وتزداد بهاءً بأقاليمَ ومستوطناتٍ متنوّعةٍ بهيجة، وبأشجارٍ مثقلةٍ بالثمار والأزهار. وهي وافرةٌ بأنواع الرخاء—ثروةً وحبوبًا وموارد—ويحيط بها من كل جانبٍ البحرُ المالح.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ordered abundance of the world—rivers, mountains, fertile regions, and encircling ocean—implying that prosperity and stability arise from a well-structured realm. In the epic context, such descriptions also frame the responsibility of rulers: a land rich in resources is to be protected and governed with restraint rather than devastated by conflict.
Sañjaya is describing the world/land in vivid geographic imagery—river-watered, mountain-adorned, filled with pleasant regions and settlements, and surrounded by the salt sea—continuing a broader cosmographic account within Bhīṣma Parva.