Shloka 15
Adhyāya 6: Pañca-mahābhūta–guṇa-nirdeśa and Sudarśana-dvīpa
Five Elements, Sensory Qualities, and a Cosmographic Island
मेरुरुत्तममध्यानामधमानां च पक्षिणाम् | अविशेषकरो यस्मात् तस्मादेनं त्यजाम्यहम्
Merur uttama-madhyānām adhamānāṁ ca pakṣiṇām | aviśeṣa-karo yasmāt tasmād enaṁ tyajāmy aham ||
三阇耶说道：“既然摩卢（梅鲁）山使上等、中等、下等诸鸟皆无差别，我便要离弃它。”怀此念头，鸟王迦楼罗之子须目迦见须弥山上有金身乌鸦，遂离开彼处，往他方而去——不愿停留在那似乎将功德与卑劣一概同待的境界。
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical need for viveka (discernment): a setting that erases distinctions between the worthy and the unworthy is portrayed as problematic, prompting withdrawal rather than endorsement. It suggests that honoring merit and maintaining appropriate standards is part of dharma.
Sañjaya narrates that Sumukha, the son of Garuḍa, sees golden-bodied crows on Mount Meru and concludes that Meru does not differentiate among superior, middling, and inferior birds. Displeased by this lack of distinction, he decides to leave Meru and goes elsewhere.