Pātāla-varṇana (Nārada’s Description of the Netherworld) / पातालवर्णनम्
अहं ते सर्वमाख्यास्थे दर्शयन् वसुधातलम् । दृष्टवा तत्र वरं कंचिद् रोचयिष्याव मातले
ahaṃ te sarvam ākhyāsthe darśayan vasudhātalam | dṛṣṭvā tatra varaṃ kaṃcid rocayiṣyāva mātale ||
قال كَنڤا: «سأقصّ عليك كلَّ شيء، مُظهِرًا لك الأقاليم التي تحت الأرض، ومبيّنًا ما فيها. وهناك، يا مَاتَلي، إذا أبصرنا عريسًا جديرًا، اخترناه نحن الاثنان».
कण्व उवाच
The verse emphasizes guided discernment in making a consequential choice: one should be shown the relevant circumstances, understand them fully, and then select a ‘vara’ (worthy person) based on merit rather than impulse.
Kaṇva addresses Mātali, promising to lead him through the realms beneath the earth, explain what is there, and together identify and choose a suitable bridegroom when they encounter one who is truly worthy.