Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 18
मातङ्ग–शक्रसंवादः
Mataṅga–Śakra Dialogue on Tapas, Status, and Moral Qualities
युधिछ्िर उवाच के देशा: के जनपदा आश्रमा: के च पर्वता: । प्रकृष्टा: पुण्यत: काश्न ज्ञेया नद्य: पितामह
Yudhiṣṭhira uvāca: ke deśāḥ ke janapadā āśramāḥ ke ca parvatāḥ | prakṛṣṭāḥ puṇyataḥ kasmān jñeyā nadyaḥ pitāmaha ||
优提施提罗说道：“祖父啊！哪些国土、哪些邦国，哪些林居道场（阿湿罗摩），哪些山岳与哪些河流，应当被认识为就圣功而言最为殊胜？凭何依据它们被视为格外神圣？”
युधिछ्िर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharmic inquiry into sacred geography: holiness is not assumed merely by name or fame, but is to be understood by criteria (kasmāt)—such as association with sages, righteous conduct, sanctifying rites, and tradition—prompting Bhīṣma to articulate standards for what makes places and rivers spiritually meritorious.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction section, Yudhiṣṭhira respectfully questions Bhīṣma (addressed as Pitāmaha) about which lands, realms, hermitages, mountains, and rivers are considered supremely holy and on what grounds they are regarded as such, setting up Bhīṣma’s ensuing discourse.