Shloka 14
भूमिगुण-प्रश्नः
Inquiry into the qualities of Earth and the classification of beings
नदीजलप्रतिच्छन्न: पर्वतैश्नाभ्रसंनिभै: | प्रैश्न विविधाकारै रम्यैर्जनपदैस्तथा
sañjaya uvāca |
nadī-jala-praticchannaḥ parvataiś cābhra-sannibhaiḥ |
prāyaiś ca vividha-ākāraiḥ ramyair janapadaiḥ tathā ||
সে দেশ নানা নদীর জলে আচ্ছাদিত এবং মেঘসম উচ্চ পর্বতশ্রেণিতে শোভিত। তদুপরি নানারূপ মনোরম জনপদ ও নগরে তা অলংকৃত।
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.