Shloka 28
Jarāsandha–Vāsudeva Saṃvāda: Kṣātra-Dharma, Pride, and the Ethics of Coercion
Sabhā Parva, Adhyāya 20
उत्तीर्य सर॒यूं रम्यां दृष्टवा पूर्वाश्ष कोसलान् | अतीत्य जम्मुर्मिथिलां पश्यन्तो विपुला नदी:
uttīrya sarayūṃ ramyāṃ dṛṣṭvā pūrvāṃś ca kosalān | atītya jambūṃ mithilāṃ paśyanto vipulā nadīḥ ||
毗湿摩耶那说道：他们渡过秀丽的萨罗瑜河（Sarayū），又观览了东科萨罗之地；继而越过阎浮（Jambū），抵达弥提罗（Mithilā），一路目睹许多宽广的大河。此段着重描写有目的的行旅，以坚忍与节制为印记——不沉溺于享乐，留心大地与渡口；这是在责任与境遇所塑成的更宏大旅程中的一环。
वैशग्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined forward movement—crossing obstacles (rivers, regions) with steadiness and attentiveness. Ethically, it suggests perseverance and restraint: one proceeds according to one’s larger duty and situation, without being diverted by comfort or fear.
The travelers cross the Sarayū, pass through eastern Kosala, go beyond a place called Jambū, and arrive at Mithilā while observing many large rivers on the route. It functions as a geographical and narrative transition marking progress in their journey.