Shloka 23
Phala of Vrata, Niyama, Svādhyāya, Dama, Satya, Brahmacarya, and Service (व्रत-नियम-स्वाध्याय-दम-सत्य-ब्रह्मचर्य-शुश्रूषा-फलप्रश्नः)
चन्द्रमण्डलशु भ्राणि किडुकिणीजालवन्ति च । अनेकशतभौमानि सान्तर्जलवनानि च,“कोई चन्द्रमण्डलके समान उज्ज्वल थे। किन्हींपर क्षुद्रघंटियोंसे युक्त झालरें लगी थीं। उनमें सैकड़ों कक्षाएँ और मंजिलें थीं। उनके भीतर जलाशय और वन-उपवन सुशोभित थे। कितनोंका प्रकाश नीलमणिमय सूर्यके समान था। कितने ही चाँदी और सोनेके बने हुए थे। दिन्हीं-किन्हीं भवनोंके रंग प्रातःकालीन सूर्यके समान लाल थे। उनमेंसे कुछ विमान या भवन तो स्थावर थे और कुछ इच्छानुसार विचरनेवाले थे
bhīṣma uvāca | candramaṇḍalaśubhrāṇi kiḍukiṇījālavanti ca | anekaśatabhaumāni sāntarjalavanāni ca |
Bhīṣma said: “Some (mansions or aerial palaces) were dazzling white like the orb of the moon. Some were adorned with networks of fringes hung with tiny bells. Many had hundreds of storeys and terraces, and within them were beautiful reservoirs of water and groves—self-contained worlds of pleasure and abundance.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contributes to a didactic portrayal of extraordinary prosperity and refined enjoyment, often used in the Anuśāsana context to illustrate the fruits of merit (puṇya) and righteous conduct—while implicitly reminding that such splendor is contingent and not the ultimate aim compared to dharma.
Bhīṣma is describing magnificent residences (or palace-like structures), emphasizing their moonlike brilliance, ornate bell-fringed decorations, great height with many storeys, and the presence of inner water-reservoirs and groves—painting a vivid picture of opulence.