Shloka 33
Brāhmaṇa-mahattva and Atithi-Dharma
Brahmagītā: Praise of Brāhmaṇas and norms of honor
हेमप्रासादसम्बाधं मणिकाञ्चनतोरणम् । स वैदूर्यमणिस्तम्भं विमानं समधिषछित:
hemaprāsādasambādhaṁ maṇikāñcanatoraṇam | sa vaidūryamaṇistambhaṁ vimānaṁ samadhiṣṭhitaḥ ||
A celestial aerial car appeared—crowded with golden palaces, adorned with festoons and gateways of gold and gems, and beautified by pillars set with vaidūrya (cat’s-eye) jewels. It stood there in full splendour, as if established in the sky, displaying the fruits of merit and the dignity of the higher worlds.
श्येन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses vivid heavenly imagery to suggest that righteous conduct and accumulated merit (puṇya) culminate in elevated states and honours beyond the human realm; splendour here functions as a narrative sign of dharmic fruition rather than mere luxury.
Śyena describes the sudden appearance of a magnificent divine vimāna—ornamented with gold, gems, and vaidūrya pillars—indicating the arrival of a celestial conveyance associated with higher worlds and the reception of one who has attained such a destiny.