Shloka 14
भूमिगुण-प्रश्नः
Inquiry into the qualities of Earth and the classification of beings
नदीजलप्रतिच्छन्न: पर्वतैश्नाभ्रसंनिभै: | प्रैश्न विविधाकारै रम्यैर्जनपदैस्तथा
sañjaya uvāca |
nadī-jala-praticchannaḥ parvataiś cābhra-sannibhaiḥ |
prāyaiś ca vividha-ākāraiḥ ramyair janapadaiḥ tathā ||
Wika ni Sañjaya: Ang lupain ay natatakpan ng tubig ng maraming ilog at napapalamutian ng matatayog na bundok na wari’y mga ulap. Pinagaganda pa ito ng sari-saring kaaya-ayang mga pook at pamayanan, at ng mga punong hitik sa bunga at bulaklak. Sagana sa iba’t ibang uri ng kasaganaan—yaman, butil, at mga yaman ng lupa—at napaliligiran sa lahat ng panig ng maalat na karagatan.
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.