Shloka 4.61.9
सूर्यानुगमनवृत्तान्तः — The Account of Following the Sun
हिमवांश्चैव विन्ध्यश्च मेरुश्च सुमहान्नगः।भूतले सम्प्रकाशन्ते नागा इव जलाशये।।।।
himavāṃś caiva vindhyaś ca meruś ca sumahān nagaḥ |
bhūtale samprakāśante nāgā iva jalāśaye ||
Himavān, Vindhya, and the mighty mountain Meru shone upon the face of the earth, like great elephants standing in a water-reservoir.
'The mountains of the earth, Himavan and Vindhya and the great Meru looked like huge elephants in a huge pond.
Dharma is suggested through reverence for the world’s sacred geography—recognizing stability (mountains) as a symbol of steadfastness and order.
Sampāti continues his aerial description, naming major mountains and likening them to elephants in water.
Cultural memory and truthfulness—Sampāti’s naming of landmarks reflects learned awareness and reliable narration.