Shloka 16
भूमिगुण-प्रश्नः
Inquiry into the qualities of Earth and the classification of beings
यथा हि पुरुष: पश्येदादर्शे मुखमात्मन: । एवं सुदर्शनद्वीपो दृश्यते चन्द्रमण्डले,जैसे पुरुष दर्पणमें अपना मुँह देखता है, उसी प्रकार सुदर्शनद्वीप चन्द्रमण्डलमें दिखायी देता है
yathā hi puruṣaḥ paśyed ādarśe mukham ātmanaḥ | evaṃ sudarśanadvīpo dṛśyate candramaṇḍale ||
Sanjaya said: Just as a man sees his own face reflected in a mirror, so too the island called Sudarśana is seen reflected in the orb of the Moon. The comparison underscores that what is perceived may be a reflection rather than a separate, graspable reality, inviting careful discernment in understanding wondrous reports.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches discernment about appearances: some things are known through reflection or representation, not direct possession or proximity. It cautions the listener to understand extraordinary descriptions through analogy and careful interpretation.
Sanjaya explains a marvel using a familiar example. He says that Sudarśanadvīpa is visible on the Moon’s disk in the way one’s face is visible in a mirror—by reflection—clarifying how such a sight can be reported.