Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 59
सच शेषो विचरते परया वै मुदा युतः । अन्तर्वसति भोगेन परिरभ्य वसुन्धराम्,वे भगवान् शेष बड़े आनन्दके साथ सर्वत्र विचरते हैं और अपने विशाल शरीरसे पृथिवीको आलिंगनपाशमें बाँधकर पाताललोकमें निवास करते हैं
sa ca śeṣo vicarate parayā vai mudā yutaḥ | antarvasati bhogena parirabhya vasundharām ||
Īśvara said: “That divine Śeṣa moves about everywhere, filled with supreme joy. Coiling himself as the great serpent, he dwells in the netherworld, embracing the Earth with his vast body.”
ईश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a model of power aligned with dharma: the cosmic serpent Śeṣa supports and safeguards the Earth, suggesting that true greatness sustains order and protection rather than causing harm.
Īśvara describes Śeṣa/Ananta as joyfully roaming and, in his serpent form, residing in Pātāla while encircling and holding the Earth—an image of the universe being upheld by divine agencies.