Shloka 6
दुर्योधनस्य बलिवर्णनम् — Duryodhana’s Description of Tribute at the Rājasūya
ततः स्फाटिकतोयां वै स्फाटिकाम्बुजशोभिताम् । वापीं मत्वा स्थलमिव सवासा: प्रापतज्जले
tataḥ sphāṭikato yāṃ vai sphāṭikāmbujaśobhitām | vāpīṃ matvā sthalam iva savāsāḥ prāpatat jale ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Dann hielt er einen kristallklaren Teich, geschmückt mit kristallenen Lotosblüten, für festen Boden; er trat vor, als ginge er über Land, und fiel, noch bekleidet, ins Wasser.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how delusion and overconfidence can distort perception: what seems firm and certain may be illusory, and arrogance can lead to a fall—literally and socially—especially in a public setting.
In the wondrous hall (with optical illusions), a crystal-clear pool decorated with crystal lotuses appears like solid floor. The person, thinking it is dry ground, steps onto it and falls into the water while still wearing his clothes.