Shloka 9
Gandhamādana-nivāsaḥ — Draupadyāḥ prārthanā, Bhīmasenārohaṇaṃ, Maṇimāna-yuddham
Chapter 157: Draupadi’s request, Bhima’s ascent, and the combat with Maniman
गड्जाद्वारमतिक्रम्प बहव: पर्वता: शुभा: | हिमवान् पर्वतश्नैव नानाद्विजगणायुत:,“गंगाद्वार (हरिद्वार)-को लाँचकर बहुत-से मंगलमय पर्वत देखे तथा बहुसंख्यक ब्राह्मणोंसे युक्त हिमालय पर्वतका भी दर्शन किया
gaṅgādvāram atikramya bahavaḥ parvatāḥ śubhāḥ | himavān parvataś caiva nānā-dvija-gaṇāyutaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana disse: Tendo passado além de Gaṅgādvāra (Haridvāra), eles contemplaram muitas montanhas auspiciosas; e também viram Himavān (o Himalaia), apinhado de diversas multidões de brâmanes “duas vezes nascidos” (dvija), evocando a santidade da região onde peregrinação, saber e vida disciplinada convergem.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic value of tīrtha-regions: sacred landscapes like Gaṅgādvāra and Himavān are portrayed as naturally ‘auspicious’ and as gathering places for learned, disciplined communities (dvijas), suggesting that environment, pilgrimage, and association with the virtuous support ethical and spiritual refinement.
The travelers move past Gaṅgādvāra (Haridvāra) and enter the Himalayan region, where they see many auspicious mountains and the Himalaya itself, described as populated by large groups of Brahmins—setting the scene for a sacred, ascetic, and pilgrimage-oriented phase of the journey.