Shloka 21

Śikhaṇḍinī’s Marriage Arrangement and the Daśārṇa Envoy’s Accusation (शिखण्डिनी-विवाह-विप्रलम्भ-प्रसङ्गः)

Devanagari script

तत्र च स्थूणभवन सुधामृत्तिकलेपनम्‌ । लाजोल्लापिकधूमाद्यमुच्चप्राकारतोरणम्‌

Transliteration

tatra ca sthūṇabhavanaṃ sudhāmṛttikulepanam | lājollāpikadhūmādyam uccaprākāratoraṇam |

Translation

Dort drinnen stand ein großes, säulengestütztes Herrenhaus, mit Kalk und Lehm verputzt. Seine Wälle und Tore ragten sehr hoch empor, und der Ort war von duftendem Rauch aromatischer Stoffe durchzogen—ein Zeichen sorgfältiger Vorbereitung, Wohlstands und einer bewusst zur Schau gestellten königlichen Ordnung und Sicherheit.

Word by Word

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• स्थूण-भवनम्: a pillar-supported building / pillared mansion
• स्थूण-भवनम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवन (स्थूण)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• सुधा-मृत्तिका-लेपनम्: plastering with lime and clay
• सुधा-मृत्तिका-लेपनम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: लेपन (सुधा, मृत्तिका)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• लाज-उल्लापिक-धूम-आद्यम्: having (fragrance/smoke) of parched grain and aromatic fumigation, etc.
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आद्य (लाज, उल्लापिक, धूम)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• उच्च-प्राकार-तोरणम्: a lofty rampart and gateway/arch
• उच्च-प्राकार-तोरणम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: तोरण (उच्च, प्राकार)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• sthūṇabhavana (pillared mansion)
• sudhā (lime plaster)
• mṛttikā (clay)
• prākāra (rampart/fortification)
• toraṇa (gateway)
• dhūma (incense-smoke)
• lāja (parched grain, auspicious/ritual item)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how outward order—clean plastered halls, strong walls, lofty gates, and auspicious fragrance—signals disciplined governance and preparedness. In the Udyoga context (the lead-up to war), such imagery underscores that power should be structured, protected, and maintained with propriety rather than chaos.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma is describing a grand, well-fortified residence/complex: a large pillared building plastered with lime and clay, with very high ramparts and gateways, and an atmosphere filled with fragrant incense-smoke and similar aromatics—setting a scene of royal magnificence and careful arrangement.