Shloka 28
सत्य–अनृत, प्रकाश–तमस्, स्वर्ग–नरक विवेचनम्
Truth and Untruth as Light and Darkness; Svarga and Naraka as Ethical Consequences
रसातलान्ते सलिलं जलान्ते पन्नगाधिपा: । तदन्ते पुनराकाशमाकाशान्ते पुनर्जलम्,रसातलके अन्तमें जल है। जलके अन्तमें नागराज शेष हैं। उनके अन्तमें पुन: आकाश और आकाशके ही अन्तभागमें पुन: जल है
rasātalānte salilaṁ jalānte pannagādhipāḥ | tadante punar ākāśam ākāśānte punar jalam |
Bharadvāja berkata: Di hujung Rasātala ada air. Di hujung air itu terdapat para raja ular. Melampaui mereka pula ada ruang; dan pada batas terjauh ruang itu, ada air sekali lagi.
भरद्वाज उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes the vast, layered structure of the cosmos and, by implication, the limits of human knowledge—encouraging intellectual humility and caution in making absolute claims about ultimate foundations.
Bharadvāja describes successive cosmic layers—Rasātala, water, serpent-lords, space, and water again—within a broader Śānti Parva discussion that uses cosmological imagery to support reflective, peace-oriented inquiry.