Shloka 20
दक्षिणदिशि तीर्थवर्णनम्
Southern Tīrthas: Godāvarī to Dvāravatī
विविधानाश्रमान् कांश्रिद् द्विजातिभ्य: प्रतिश्रुतान् । सरांसि सरितश्नैव रमणीयांश्व॒ पर्वतान्
vividhān āśramān kāṁścid dvijātibhyaḥ pratiśrutān | sarāṁsi saritaś caiva ramaṇīyāṁś ca parvatān ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Señaló diversos eremitorios—algunos prometidos o asignados a los dvija, los “dos veces nacidos”—junto con lagos y ríos, y también montañas deleitosas. La narración subraya el esmerado respeto a los compromisos con los sabios y el reverente reconocimiento de paisajes sagrados que sostienen la vida.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma through fidelity to one’s pledges—especially obligations made toward the initiated and learned (dvijas)—and frames the natural and sacred landscape (āśramas, waters, mountains) as worthy of reverence and careful stewardship.
Vaiśampāyana narrates a description of the terrain and holy sites: various hermitages (including those designated or promised to dvijas), together with lakes, rivers, and pleasing mountains, are being indicated or enumerated as part of the journey and setting in the forest.