Shloka 1.24.17
गङ्गा–सरयू-सङ्गमः, मलद–करूश-देशकथा, ताटकावनप्रवेशोपदेशः (The Confluence of Gaṅgā and Sarayū; the Tale of Malada–Karūśa; Counsel on Tātakā’s Forest)
एतौ जनपदौ स्फीतौ पूर्वमास्तां नरोत्तम।मलदाश्च करूशाश्च देवनिर्माणनिर्मितौ।।1.24.17।।
etau janapadau sphītau pūrvam āstāṃ narottama | maladāś ca karūśāś ca deva-nirmāṇa-nirmitau || 1.24.17 ||
“O best of men, in former times there stood here two flourishing realms—Maladā and Karūśā—fashioned by celestial builders.”
O best among men, formerly these two large and prosperous cities called Malada and Karusha built by celestial architects existed.
Dharma values memory of the land’s moral history: knowing what a place once was helps one understand decline, responsibility, and rightful restoration.
Viśvāmitra begins the backstory, describing earlier prosperous settlements (Maladā and Karūśā) where the dreadful forest now stands.
Truthful instruction grounded in tradition—teaching through historical context rather than mere opinion.