Shloka 13
Virāṭanagara-nivāsa-nirṇaya
Decision to Reside in Virāṭa’s City
कुरुदेशके चारों ओर बहुत-से सुरम्य जनपद हैं, जहाँ बहुत अन्न होता है। उनके नाम ये हैं--पांचाल, चेदि, मत्स्य, शूरसेन, पटच्चर, दशार्ण, नवराष्ट्र, मल्ल, शाल्व, युगन्धर, विशाल दुन्तिराष्ट्र, सौराष्ट्र तथा अवन्ती
kurudeśake cāroṃ ora bahu-se suramya janapadāḥ santi, yatra bahu annaṃ bhavati. teṣāṃ nāmāni imāni—pāñcālaḥ, cediḥ, matsyaḥ, śūrasenaḥ, paṭaccaraḥ, daśārṇaḥ, navarāṣṭram, mallaḥ, śālvaḥ, yugandharaḥ, viśālaḥ, duntirāṣṭram, saurāṣṭram tathā avantī.
Arjuna menyatakan bahawa di sekitar tanah Kuru terdapat banyak wilayah yang menyenangkan dan makmur, kaya dengan simpanan bijirin. Lalu beliau menyenaraikannya—Pañcāla, Cedi, Matsya, Śūrasena, Paṭaccara, Daśārṇa, Navarāṣṭra, Malla, Śālva, Yugandhara, Viśāla, Duntirāṣṭra, Saurāṣṭra, dan Avanti—sebagai gambaran geografi politik yang kelak penting bagi pakatan, tempat perlindungan, dan tekanan dharma untuk terus hidup dalam pembuangan.
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how prosperity (abundant grain) and political geography shape dharmic choices in times of crisis: knowing neighboring realms matters for lawful refuge, alliance-building, and minimizing harm while pursuing rightful aims.
Arjuna describes the regions surrounding the Kuru country and lists prominent janapadas. This situates the story’s setting and signals the wider political landscape relevant to the Pāṇḍavas’ movements and potential support during the Virāṭa episode.