Shloka 21
Adhyāya 325: Nārada in Śvetadvīpa—Stotra to the Nirguṇa Mahātman
स्फीतांश्व शालियवसै्हंससारससेवितान् । पद्मिनीभिश्व शतश: श्रीमतीभिरलड्कृतान्
sphītāṁś ca śāliyavasaiḥ haṁsasārasasevitān | padminībhiś ca śataśaḥ śrīmatībhir alaṅkṛtān ||
Bhishma berkata: “Di wilayah itu, sawah-sawah subur oleh padi yang telah masak dan rerumputan pakan yang lebat. Di mana-mana tanah itu didatangi angsa dan bangau, dan ratusan telaga indah penuh teratai—bercahaya oleh kemakmuran dan keindahan—menghias negeri itu; tanda-tanda kerajaan yang tertata baik dan diberkahi kelimpahan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses natural abundance—ripened crops, thriving water-birds, and lotus-filled lakes—as markers of a well-governed, dharmic realm. Prosperity and beauty in the land are presented as outward signs of order, stability, and righteous administration.
Bhishma is describing the Videha region as exceptionally fertile and beautiful: fields heavy with grain and fodder, and numerous lotus-ponds frequented by swans and cranes. The passage functions as a vivid setting-description highlighting the country’s prosperity.