Shloka 42
Gautama–Śakra Saṃvāda: Karma, Loka-bheda, and the Restoration of the Elephant
गौतम उवाच ततः परं भान्ति लोका: सनातना: सुपुण्यगंधा विरजा वीतशोका: । तस्मिन्नहं दुर्लभे चाप्यधृष्ये गवां लोके हस्तिनं यातयिष्ये
gautama uvāca tataḥ paraṃ bhānti lokāḥ sanātanāḥ supuṇyagandhā virajā vītaśokāḥ | tasminnahaṃ durlabhe cāpyadhṛṣye gavāṃ loke hastinaṃ yātayiṣye ||
Gautama said: Beyond this, there shine the eternal worlds—fragrant with supreme merit, free from the dust of passion, and devoid of sorrow. To that realm of the cows (Goloka), difficult to attain and unassailable, I shall go and bring back my elephant from you.
गौतम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts higher, purified realms—free from rajas and sorrow—with ordinary existence, implying that moral merit (puṇya) and purity of being correspond to elevated states. It also underscores dharmic accountability: what is wrongfully held can be reclaimed through rightful, disciplined action.
Gautama describes the shining eternal realms beyond, identifying the 'world of cows' (Goloka) as difficult to reach and invincible. He declares his intention to go there and retrieve his elephant, indicating a determined act of restitution grounded in his spiritual power and authority.