Shloka 44
Varṣa-Parvata-Nivāsinām Varnanam
Description of Regions, Mountains, and Their Inhabitants
अश्मका: पाण्ड्राष्ट्राश्न गोपराष्ट्रा: करीतय: । अधिराज्यकुशद्याश्च मल्लराष्ट्रं च केवलम्,भारतमें ये कुरु-पांचाल, शाल्व, माद्रेय-जांगल, शूरसेन, पुलिन्द, बोध, माल, मत्स्य, कुशल्य, सौशल्य, कुन्ति, कान्ति, कोसल, चेदि, मत्स्य, करूष, भोज, सिन्धु-पुलिन्द, उत्तमाश्च, दशार्ण, मेकल, उत्कल, पंचाल, कोसल, नैकपृष्ठ, धुरंधर, गोधा, मद्रकलिंग, काशि, अपरकाशि, जठर, कुक्कुर, दशार्ण, कुन्ति, अवन्ति, अपरकुन्ति, गोमन्त, मन्दक, सण्ड, विदर्भ, रूपवाहिक, अश्मक, पाण्ड्राष्ट्र, गोपराष्ट्र, करीति, अधिराज्य, कुशाद्य तथा मल्लराष्ट्र
aśmakāḥ pāṇḍrāṣṭrāś ca goparāṣṭrāḥ karītayaḥ | adhirājyakuśādyāś ca mallarāṣṭraṃ ca kevalam ||
Sañjaya said: “There were also the Aśmakas, the Pāṇḍrāṣṭras, the Goparāṣṭras, the Karītayas, the Adhirājya people, the Kuśa and related tribes, and the Malla country alone.” In the ethical frame of the epic, this catalogue underscores how the war draws in many regions and communities, widening the burden of kṣatriya conflict beyond a single dynasty.
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse’s core implication is ethical and social: war is not confined to the principal rivals but implicates many peoples and lands, multiplying suffering and responsibility. The Mahābhārata repeatedly uses such catalogues to highlight the expansive consequences of adharma-driven conflict.
Sañjaya continues reporting to Dhṛtarāṣṭra the composition of forces by naming additional regions/tribes present in the great battle, extending the roster of participating peoples.