Shloka 40
Varṣa-Parvata-Nivāsinām Varnanam
Description of Regions, Mountains, and Their Inhabitants
मत्स्या: कुशल्या: सौशल्या: कुन्तय: कान्तिकोसला: । चेदिमत्स्यकरूषाश्न भोजा: सिन्धुपुलिन्दका:,भारतमें ये कुरु-पांचाल, शाल्व, माद्रेय-जांगल, शूरसेन, पुलिन्द, बोध, माल, मत्स्य, कुशल्य, सौशल्य, कुन्ति, कान्ति, कोसल, चेदि, मत्स्य, करूष, भोज, सिन्धु-पुलिन्द, उत्तमाश्च, दशार्ण, मेकल, उत्कल, पंचाल, कोसल, नैकपृष्ठ, धुरंधर, गोधा, मद्रकलिंग, काशि, अपरकाशि, जठर, कुक्कुर, दशार्ण, कुन्ति, अवन्ति, अपरकुन्ति, गोमन्त, मन्दक, सण्ड, विदर्भ, रूपवाहिक, अश्मक, पाण्ड्राष्ट्र, गोपराष्ट्र, करीति, अधिराज्य, कुशाद्य तथा मल्लराष्ट्र
matsyāḥ kuśalyāḥ sauśalyāḥ kuntayaḥ kāntikosalāḥ | cedimatsyakarūṣāś ca bhojāḥ sindhupulindakāḥ ||
Sañjaya said: “There were also the Matsyas, the Kuśalyas, the Sauśalyas, the Kuntis, and the Kānti-Kosalans; likewise the Cedis, the Matsyas and Karūṣas, the Bhojas, and the Sindhu-Pulindas.” In this catalogue of peoples, Sañjaya maps the vast human landscape drawn into the Kurukṣetra war—an ethical reminder that the conflict is not merely between two families, but a civilizational upheaval in which many kingdoms and tribes become participants and bear the consequences of adharma-driven strife.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the scale of the Kurukṣetra war: many peoples and regions are drawn into a single conflict. Ethically, it highlights how adharma at the center of power spreads suffering outward, implicating entire societies rather than only the principal rivals.
Sañjaya is reporting to Dhṛtarāṣṭra, listing the various kingdoms and tribal groups present/arrayed for battle. This is part of a broader catalogue that situates the war as a pan-regional confrontation with numerous allies and contingents.