Shloka 12
Yuga-Lakṣaṇa and Varṣa-Pramāṇa Inquiry (युगलक्षण–वर्षप्रमाण–प्रश्न)
धृतराष्ट उवाच शाकद्दीपस्य संक्षेपो यथावदिह संजय
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca | śākadvīpasya saṃkṣepo yathāvad iha sañjaya ||
ধৃতৰাষ্ট্ৰ ক’লে—হে সঞ্জয়! ইয়াত শাকদ্বীপৰ সংক্ষিপ্ত বিৱৰণ যথাক্ৰমে আৰু যথাযথভাৱে কোৱা।
धृतराष्ट उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models disciplined inquiry: a ruler seeks a “yathāvat” (accurate, properly ordered) account rather than rumor or exaggeration. Ethically, it highlights the value of truthful, well-structured narration and the responsibility of the listener to ask for clarity and correctness.
Dhṛtarāṣṭra addresses Sañjaya and requests a concise, correct description of Śākadvīpa. The dialogue shifts momentarily from battlefield concerns to a cosmographical or descriptive topic, with Sañjaya positioned as the authoritative narrator.