Shloka 56

Yayāti’s Ascent to Heaven

and Entry into Vaikuṇṭha

Devanagari script

हेमदंडैश्च घंटाभिः सर्वत्रसमलंकृतम् । सूर्यतेजः प्रकाशैश्च गोपुराट्टालकैस्ततः

Transliteration

hemadaṃḍaiśca ghaṃṭābhiḥ sarvatrasamalaṃkṛtam | sūryatejaḥ prakāśaiśca gopurāṭṭālakaistataḥ

Translation

كان مُزَيَّنًا في كل موضعٍ بعِصيٍّ من ذهبٍ وأجراس؛ وهناك، بأبراجِ البوابات وأبراجِ المراقبة الشامخة، كان يلمع بإشراقٍ كإشراق الشمس.

Word by Word

• हेमदण्डैः: with golden staffs/rods
• हेमदण्डैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हेम (प्रातिपदिक) + दण्ड (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुषः (हेमस्य दण्डाः); पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• घण्टाभिः: with bells
• घण्टाभिः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: घण्टा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Instrumental plural)

• सर्वत्र: everywhere
• सर्वत्र: Adhikarana (Location/अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सर्वत्र (अव्यय)
• Form: देशवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of place)

• समलङ्कृतम्: fully adorned
• समलङ्कृतम्: Kriya-visheshana (Predicative qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-लङ्कृ (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त; नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (context: predicate adjective ‘adorned’)

• सूर्यतेजः: sun-like radiance
• सूर्यतेजः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूर्य (प्रातिपदिक) + तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (सूर्यस्य तेजः); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन (as first member in compound with प्रकाशैः)

• प्रकाशैः: with lights, splendors
• प्रकाशैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रकाश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन (Instrumental plural)

• च: and
• च: Samuccaya (Connector/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• गोपुराट्टालकैः: with gateways and watchtowers
• गोपुराट्टालकैः: Karana (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गोपुर (प्रातिपदिक) + अट्टालक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (गोपुराणि च अट्टालकानि च); नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• ततः: there, then
• ततः: Adhikarana/Avyaya (Adverbial/अव्यय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; तस्मात्/तत्र/ततः इत्यर्थे (adverb: ‘thereupon/there’)

Speaker

Unknown (verse excerpt lacks explicit dialogue attribution in the provided input)

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: vira

Geographic Context

Type: temple

Sandhi Resolution Notes

Sandhi Resolution Notes: हेमदंडैश्च = हेमदण्डैः + च; सूर्यतेजः प्रकाशैश्च = सूर्यतेजः + प्रकाशैः + च; गोपुराट्टालकैस्ततः = गोपुराट्टालकैः + ततः

FAQs

What is being described in this verse?

A splendid sacred structure or complex, depicted as richly ornamented with golden elements, bells, and prominent gateway-towers and high towers, shining with sun-like radiance.

What do 'gopura' and 'aṭṭālaka' signify here?

Gopura indicates a monumental gateway-tower, while aṭṭālaka refers to a tall tower or watchtower; together they emphasize grandeur, visibility, and ceremonial architecture.

What is the devotional or ethical emphasis implied by such imagery?

The verse suggests reverent beautification of sacred spaces—external splendor symbolizing inner devotion, order, and the honoring of the divine through careful adornment.