Shloka 16
भूमिगुण-प्रश्नः
Inquiry into the qualities of Earth and the classification of beings
यथा हि पुरुष: पश्येदादर्शे मुखमात्मन: । एवं सुदर्शनद्वीपो दृश्यते चन्द्रमण्डले,जैसे पुरुष दर्पणमें अपना मुँह देखता है, उसी प्रकार सुदर्शनद्वीप चन्द्रमण्डलमें दिखायी देता है
yathā hi puruṣaḥ paśyed ādarśe mukham ātmanaḥ | evaṃ sudarśanadvīpo dṛśyate candramaṇḍale ||
Sañjaya dijo: Así como un hombre ve su propio rostro reflejado en un espejo, del mismo modo la isla llamada Sudarśana se ve reflejada en el disco de la Luna. La comparación subraya que lo percibido puede ser un reflejo y no una realidad separada y asible, e invita a discernir con cuidado al comprender relatos maravillosos.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches discernment about appearances: some things are known through reflection or representation, not direct possession or proximity. It cautions the listener to understand extraordinary descriptions through analogy and careful interpretation.
Sanjaya explains a marvel using a familiar example. He says that Sudarśanadvīpa is visible on the Moon’s disk in the way one’s face is visible in a mirror—by reflection—clarifying how such a sight can be reported.