Shloka 1
Inquiry into Sacred Fords and the Merit of Earth-Circumambulation
Narada–Yudhishthira; Entry into the Dilipa–Vasistha Episode
ऋषय ऊचुः । पृथिव्या हि परीमाणं संस्थानं सरितस्तथा । त्वत्तः श्रुत्वा महाभाग अमृतं पीतमेव च
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | pṛthivyā hi parīmāṇaṃ saṃsthānaṃ saritastathā | tvattaḥ śrutvā mahābhāga amṛtaṃ pītameva ca
ঋষিগণ বললেন—হে মহাভাগ! আপনার মুখে পৃথিবীর পরিমাপ, তার বিন্যাস এবং নদীগণের বিবরণ শ্রবণ করে আমাদের মনে হচ্ছে যেন আমরা সত্যই অমৃত পান করেছি।
The sages (ṛṣayaḥ)
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: celestial_realm
Sandhi Resolution Notes: ऋषयः + ऊचुः → ऋषय ऊचुः (विसर्गलोप); पृथिव्याः (IAST pṛthivyā) षष्ठी-एकवचनम्; त्वत्तः (tvad + tas) पञ्चमी-एकवचनम्; पीतम् + एव → पीतमेव।
FAQs
It presents knowledge of the earth’s extent, its arrangement, and its rivers as spiritually nourishing—so valuable that hearing it is compared to drinking nectar.
The sages address the main narrator/teacher of the dialogue in this chapter as “O greatly fortunate one,” praising the speaker’s authoritative and beneficial exposition.
The verse elevates attentive listening (śravaṇa) to sacred instruction as a transformative act—implying that reverent reception of true knowledge can confer clarity, upliftment, and spiritual vitality.