Shloka 14
भूमिगुण-प्रश्नः
Inquiry into the qualities of Earth and the classification of beings
नदीजलप्रतिच्छन्न: पर्वतैश्नाभ्रसंनिभै: | प्रैश्न विविधाकारै रम्यैर्जनपदैस्तथा,वह नाना प्रकारकी नदियोंके जलसे आच्छादित, मेघके समान उच्चतम पर्वतोंसे सुशोभित, भाँति-भाँतिके नगरों, रमणीय जनपदों तथा फल-फूलसे भरे हुए वृक्षोंसे विभूषित है। यह द्वीप भाँति-भाँतिकी सम्पदाओं तथा धन-धान्यसे सम्पन्न है। उसे सब ओरसे लवणसमुद्रने घेर रखा है
sañjaya uvāca |
nadī-jala-praticchannaḥ parvataiś cābhra-sannibhaiḥ |
prāyaiś ca vividha-ākāraiḥ ramyair janapadaiḥ tathā ||
नदीजलप्रतिच्छन्नः पर्वतैश्चाभ्रसंनिभैः। प्रैश्नैर्विविधाकारै रम्यैर्जनपदैस्तथा॥
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ordered abundance of the world—rivers, mountains, fertile regions, and encircling ocean—implying that prosperity and stability arise from a well-structured realm. In the epic context, such descriptions also frame the responsibility of rulers: a land rich in resources is to be protected and governed with restraint rather than devastated by conflict.
Sañjaya is describing the world/land in vivid geographic imagery—river-watered, mountain-adorned, filled with pleasant regions and settlements, and surrounded by the salt sea—continuing a broader cosmographic account within Bhīṣma Parva.