Shloka 10

Varṣa-Parvata-Nivāsinām Varnanam

Description of Regions, Mountains, and Their Inhabitants

Devanagari script

तत्‌ ते वर्ष प्रवक्ष्यामि यथायथमरिंदम । शृणु मे गदतो राजन्‌ यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि,शत्रुदमन नरेश! मैं उसी भारतवर्षका यथावत्‌ वर्णन कर रहा हूँ। आप मुझसे जो कुछ पूछते या जानना चाहते हैं वह सब बताता हूँ, सुनिये

Transliteration

tat te varṣa pravakṣyāmi yathāyatham ariṃdama | śṛṇu me gadataḥ rājan yan māṃ tvaṃ paripṛcchasi ||

Translation

Sañjaya said: “O subduer of foes, I shall describe to you this land (varṣa) exactly as it is. Listen, O king, as I speak; whatever you have asked me to explain, I will relate in full.”

Word by Word

• {'tat': 'that

• this (referring to the subject at hand)', 'te': 'to you

• for you', 'varṣa': 'a region/land

• here, the country/realm being described (often ‘Bhārata-varṣa’ in context)', 'pravakṣyāmi': 'I shall declare

• I will explain', 'yathā-yatham': 'in due order

• as it truly is', 'ariṃdama': 'subduer of enemies (epithet of the king)', 'śṛṇu': 'listen', 'me': 'from me

• my', 'gadataḥ': 'as (I am) speaking

• from one who is narrating', 'rājan': 'O king', 'yat': 'what

• that which', 'mām': 'me', 'tvam': 'you', 'paripṛcchasi': 'you ask

Speaker

संजय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Sañjaya
• Dhṛtarāṣṭra (implied by address 'rājan' and the dialogue frame)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse models responsible speech: a narrator should present information ‘yathā-yatham’—accurately and in proper order—especially when advising or informing a ruler. It also highlights the ethical duty to answer sincere inquiry fully and truthfully.

What is happening in the narrative?

In the dialogue frame of the Mahābhārata, Sañjaya responds to the king’s questions and announces that he will now describe the land/region in an orderly and faithful manner, inviting the king to listen.