Shloka 31
विन्ध्यो धातुविचित्राड्रस्तीर्थवानौषधान्वित: । मेरुम॑हेन्द्रो मलय: श्वेतश्न॒ रजतावृत:
bhīṣma uvāca |
vindhyo dhātuvicitrāḍras tīrthavān auṣadhānvitāḥ |
merur mahendro malayaḥ śvetaś ca rajatāvṛtaḥ ||
विन्ध्यो धातुविचित्राड्रिस्तीर्थवानौषधान्वितः । मेरुर्महेन्द्रो मलयः श्वेतश्च रजतावृतः ॥ एते पर्वतवराः सर्वे पावनाः स्थिरधर्मिणः; स्मृत्या नामग्रहैश्चैव अस्मान् रक्षन्तु सर्वदा ॥
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse treats sacred geography as morally efficacious: mountains bearing tīrthas and healing herbs symbolize the sustaining order of the world. Remembering and invoking such sanctified supports is presented as a means of protection—aligning oneself with dharma and the auspicious powers embedded in creation.
Bhishma is reciting a protective invocation (a remembrance-list) in which revered natural and cosmic landmarks are named. Here he specifically calls upon major mountains—Vindhya, Meru, Mahendra, Malaya, and the silver-clad white mountain—to act as guardians.