Chapter 7: Dvīpa–Varṣa–Meru-varṇana
Description of the Dvīpa, Varṣas, and Mount Meru
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्या भारत भीष्मपर्वके अन्तर्गत जम्बूखण्डविनिर्माणपर्वमें शूमि आदि परिमाणका विवरणविषयक छठा अध्याय पूरा हुआ
sañjaya uvāca | sarvā maṇimayī bhūmiḥ sūkṣma-kāñcana-vālukā | sarva-ṛtu-sukha-saṃsparśā niṣpaṅkā ca janādhipa | puṣkariṇyaḥ śubhās tatra sukha-sparśā manoramāḥ |
サञ्जयは言った。「おお人の王よ、そこでは大地のすべてが宝玉で成り、微細な砂粒さえも柔らかな黄金である。どこにも泥濘はなく、その触れ心地は四季を通じて快い。さらに吉祥なる蓮池は心を奪うほど麗しく、その水は触れて喜ばしい。」
संजय उवाच
The verse highlights an idealized realm characterized by purity (no mud), harmony (pleasant in all seasons), and abundance (gem-like earth, golden sand). Ethically, it functions as a contrast: while kings wage war for dominion, true prosperity is depicted as a condition of order and auspiciousness rather than mere conquest.
Sañjaya, addressing the king (Dhṛtarāṣṭra), continues a descriptive passage on sacred/cosmic geography (within the Jambū-khaṇḍa/Jambūdvīpa account), portraying the land and its ponds as wondrously beautiful and pleasant to the touch.