Shloka 25
मातङ्ग–शक्रसंवादः
Mataṅga–Śakra Dialogue on Tapas, Status, and Moral Qualities
शिलवृत्तिस्वाच के देश:के जनपदा: के55श्रमा: के च पर्वता: । प्रकृष्टा: पुण्यत: काश्न ज्ञेया नद्यस्तदुच्यताम्
śīlavṛttiḥ svāca: ke deśāḥ ke janapadāḥ ke āśramāḥ ke ca parvatāḥ | prakṛṣṭāḥ puṇyataḥ kāś ca jñeyā nadyaḥ tad ucyatām ||
O brâmane que vivia com disciplina austera perguntou: “Ó brâmane, que regiões e reinos, que eremitérios, que montanhas e que rios devem ser tidos como os mais excelsos do ponto de vista do mérito sagrado? Peço-te que mo digas.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames dharma as connected to sacred geography: certain lands, hermitages, mountains, and rivers are traditionally regarded as especially merit-giving, and knowing them supports pilgrimage, vows, and disciplined living.
A disciplined Brahmin questions Bhishma about which places—regions, kingdoms, hermitages, mountains, and rivers—are considered most holy and merit-bestowing, requesting an authoritative listing.