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 dit qu’autour du pays des Kurus s’étendent de nombreuses régions agréables et prospères, riches en grains. Puis il les énumère — Pañcāla, Cedi, Matsya, Śūrasena, Paṭaccara, Daśārṇa, Navarāṣṭra, Malla, Śālva, Yugandhara, Viśāla, Duntirāṣṭra, Saurāṣṭra et Avanti — dessinant la géographie politique qui comptera pour les alliances, les refuges et les exigences morales de la survie durant l’exil.
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.