Shloka 28
सत्य–अनृत, प्रकाश–तमस्, स्वर्ग–नरक विवेचनम्
Truth and Untruth as Light and Darkness; Svarga and Naraka as Ethical Consequences
रसातलान्ते सलिलं जलान्ते पन्नगाधिपा: । तदन्ते पुनराकाशमाकाशान्ते पुनर्जलम्,रसातलके अन्तमें जल है। जलके अन्तमें नागराज शेष हैं। उनके अन्तमें पुन: आकाश और आकाशके ही अन्तभागमें पुन: जल है
rasātalānte salilaṁ jalānte pannagādhipāḥ | tadante punar ākāśam ākāśānte punar jalam |
Bharadvāja said: At the far end of Rasātala there is water. At the end of that water are the lords of serpents. Beyond them again is space, and at the far limit of space there is water once more.
भरद्वाज उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes the vast, layered structure of the cosmos and, by implication, the limits of human knowledge—encouraging intellectual humility and caution in making absolute claims about ultimate foundations.
Bharadvāja describes successive cosmic layers—Rasātala, water, serpent-lords, space, and water again—within a broader Śānti Parva discussion that uses cosmological imagery to support reflective, peace-oriented inquiry.