Shloka 4
Adhyaya 54 — Cosmography of Jambudvipa: Continents, Oceans, Varshas, and Mount Meru
मार्कण्डेय उवाच ।
शतार्धकोटिविस्तारा पृथिवी कृत्स्रशो द्विज ।
तस्या हि स्थानमखिलं कथयामि शृणुष्व तत् ॥
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca |
śatārdha-koṭi-vistārā pṛthivī kṛtsraśo dvija |
tasyā hi sthānam akhilaṃ kathayāmi śṛṇuṣva tat ||
Mārkaṇḍeya dit : « Ô deux-fois-né, l’étendue totale de la terre est mesurée à “cent cinquante koṭis” de largeur. Je décrirai entièrement son agencement et sa structure—écoute. »
{ "primaryRasa": "shanta", "secondaryRasa": "adbhuta", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }
FAQs
The teacher responds with both magnitude and method (‘I will describe the whole structure’), modeling authoritative instruction: begin with scope, then provide ordered details.
Sarga: measurement and arrangement of the earth belongs to the ‘creation/structure’ description typical of Purāṇic cosmology.
Vast numerical measures function as contemplative devices: they stretch the mind beyond parochial scale, preparing it for Purāṇic time-cycles and the insignificance of egoic concerns.