Shloka 2
Adhyāya 57: Tapas–Dāna Phala
On the Fruits of Austerity and Giving
ततो ददर्श नृपति: प्रासादं सर्वकाउ्चनम् । मणिस्तम्भसहस्राढ्यं गन्धर्वनगरोपमम्,वहाँ पहुँचकर नरेशने एक सुन्दर महल देखा, जो सारा-का-सारा सोनेका बना हुआ था। उसमें मणियोंके हजारों खम्भे लगे हुए थे और वह अपनी शोभासे गन्धर्वनगरके समान जान पड़ता था
tato dadarśa nṛpatiḥ prāsādaṃ sarva-kāñcanam | maṇi-stambha-sahasrāḍhyaṃ gandharva-nagaropamam ||
Then the king beheld a splendid palace, entirely fashioned of gold. Adorned with thousands of jewel-studded pillars, it appeared in its radiance like the celestial city of the Gandharvas.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dazzling power of wealth and magnificence; in a dharmic context it implicitly reminds a ruler to maintain self-control and clear judgment when confronted with opulence, treating prosperity as a responsibility rather than an intoxication.
Bhishma narrates that the king arrives at a place and sees an extraordinary golden palace with thousands of gem-pillars, so splendid that it resembles the celestial city of the Gandharvas.