Shloka 13
Virāṭanagara-nivāsa-nirṇaya
Decision to Reside in Virāṭa’s City
कुरुदेशके चारों ओर बहुत-से सुरम्य जनपद हैं
kurudeśake cāroṃ ora bahu-se suramya janapadāḥ santi, yatra bahu annaṃ bhavati. teṣāṃ nāmāni imāni—pāñcālaḥ, cediḥ, matsyaḥ, śūrasenaḥ, paṭaccaraḥ, daśārṇaḥ, navarāṣṭram, mallaḥ, śālvaḥ, yugandharaḥ, viśālaḥ, duntirāṣṭram, saurāṣṭram tathā avantī.
Arjuna afirma que alrededor de la tierra de los Kurus se extienden muchas regiones gratas y prósperas, ricas en grano. Luego las enumera—Pañcāla, Cedi, Matsya, Śūrasena, Paṭaccara, Daśārṇa, Navarāṣṭra, Malla, Śālva, Yugandhara, Viśāla, Duntirāṣṭra, Saurāṣṭra y Avanti—trazando la geografía política que pesará en alianzas, refugios y en las exigencias éticas de sobrevivir durante el exilio.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how prosperity (abundant grain) and political geography shape dharmic choices in times of crisis: knowing neighboring realms matters for lawful refuge, alliance-building, and minimizing harm while pursuing rightful aims.
Arjuna describes the regions surrounding the Kuru country and lists prominent janapadas. This situates the story’s setting and signals the wider political landscape relevant to the Pāṇḍavas’ movements and potential support during the Virāṭa episode.