Shloka 10
Śibi’s Weighing of Dharma
The Hawk and the Dove Trial) — शिबेर्धर्मतुला (श्येन-कपोतोक्तिः
काश्मीरमण्डलं चैतत् सर्वपुण्यमरिंदम । महर्षिभिश्नाध्युषितं पश्येदं भ्रातृभि: सह,शत्रुदमन! यह पुण्यमय काश्मीरमण्डल है, जहाँ बहुत-से महर्षि निवास करते हैं। तुम भाइयोंसहित इसका दर्शन करो। भारत! यह वही स्थान है जहाँ उत्तरके समस्त ऋषि, नहुषकुमार ययाति, अग्नि और काश्यपका संवाद हुआ था
lokāśa uvāca |
kāśmīra-maṇḍalaṃ caitat sarva-puṇyam ariṃdama |
maharṣibhir nādhyuṣitaṃ paśyedaṃ bhrātṛbhiḥ saha, śatrudamana ||
Lomaśa berkata: “Wahai penunduk musuh, inilah wilayah Kāśmīra—seluruhnya suci dan sarat pahala. Ia didiami para maharṣi. Lihatlah ia bersama saudara-saudaramu.”
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes the ethical value of seeking sanctifying environments: places made ‘puṇya’ by the presence and practice of sages. Darśana of such a region—especially in the company of one’s brothers—supports inner purification, right orientation toward dharma, and remembrance of exemplary ancient discourse.
A guide-figure (Lokāśa) points out the Kashmir region to the addressed hero, praising it as wholly sacred and inhabited by great seers, and urges him to behold it along with his brothers—situating the heroes’ journey within a broader pilgrimage and sacred-topography frame.