Adhyaya 58 — The Kurma-Form of Narayana: Mapping Bharata through Nakshatras, Regions, and Planetary Afflictions
दासेरका वाटधानाः शवधानास्तथैव च ।
पुष्कलाधमकैरातास्तथा तक्षशिलाश्रयाः ॥
dāserakā vāṭadhānāḥ śavadhānās tathaiva ca | puṣkalādhamakairātās tathā takṣaśilāśrayāḥ ||
ദാസേരകർ, വാടധാനർ, അതുപോലെ ശാവധാനർ; കൂടാതെ പുഷ്കലർ, അധമ-കിരാതർ, തക്ഷശിലാ പരിസരവാസികളും പരാമർശിക്കപ്പെടുന്നു.
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By naming both renowned centers (Takṣaśilā) and peripheral groups (Kirātas), the text frames civilization and wilderness within one cosmic map—suggesting that all communities fall under the same overarching order (ṛta/dharma), even if social valuation differs.
Sthāna (cosmography) via regional and population mapping; it can also serve as ancillary material supporting Vaṃśānucarita when such peoples are tied to dynasties elsewhere, though this verse itself is a list.
Takṣaśilā, as a famed seat of learning, juxtaposed with ‘Kirātas’ can be read symbolically as the spectrum of knowledge—from refined śāstra to raw, instinctual life—both included within the Purāṇic universe.