Shloka 14
Adhyāya 325: Nārada in Śvetadvīpa—Stotra to the Nirguṇa Mahātman
मेरोह॑रिश्व द्वे वर्षे वर्ष हैमवतं तत: । क्रमेणैवं व्यतिक्रम्प भारतं वर्षमासदत्
merohariśva dve varṣe varṣa haimavataṁ tataḥ | krameṇaivaṁ vyatikramp bhārataṁ varṣam āsadat ||
Bhishma disse: “De lá, atravessando em devida ordem as regiões chamadas Meru (Ilāvṛta), Hari-varṣa e, depois, o país nevado de Haimavata (Kimpuruṣa), chegaram por fim a Bhārata-varṣa. No caminho, tiveram de passar por muitas montanhas, rios, vaus sagrados e lagos; e também atravessaram florestas cheias de serpentes e feras. Tendo superado esses obstáculos passo a passo, alcançaram a terra de Bhārata.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights disciplined progress (krameṇa) and endurance: reaching the human realm of Bhārata—where dharma is practiced through effort—requires crossing hardships and dangers. It frames spiritual and ethical life as a journey demanding steadiness and courage.
Bhīṣma describes travelers moving through successive mythic regions—Meru/Ilāvṛta, Hari-varṣa, and Haimavata (linked with Kimpuruṣa)—crossing mountains, rivers, tīrthas, lakes, and perilous forests filled with serpents and wild beasts, until they finally reach Bhārata-varṣa.