Shloka 236

Chapter 6: Dāruka’s Report; Arjuna Witnesses Dvārakā’s Desolation (दारुकवृत्तान्तः—अर्जुनस्य द्वारकादर्शनम्)

Devanagari script

प्राकाराट्टालकोपेतां समुद्र: प्लावयिष्यति । 'अर्जुनके चले जानेपर चहारदीवारी और अट्टालिकाओं सहित इस नगरीको समुद्र तत्काल डुबो देगा

Transliteration

prākārāṭṭālakopetāṁ samudraḥ plāvayiṣyati |

Translation

Vasudeva said: “The ocean will soon inundate this city, even with its encircling ramparts and lofty towers. Once Arjuna has departed, the sea will overwhelm Dvārakā.”

Word by Word

• प्राकाराट्टालकोपेताम्: endowed with ramparts and towers
• प्राकाराट्टालकोपेताम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्राकार + अट्टालक + उपेत
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• समुद्रः: the ocean/sea
• समुद्रः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: समुद्र
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• प्लावयिष्यति: will flood/submerge
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्लु (प्लावयति)
• Form: Simple Future (Luṭ), 3rd, Singular

Speaker

वसुदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vasudeva
• Samudra (the ocean)
• Dvārakā (implied by context: ‘this city’)
• Arjuna (mentioned in the contextual gloss)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Worldly power and fortifications cannot resist kāla (time). When dharma-supporting protection is withdrawn and destiny ripens, even a splendid city falls; therefore one should act promptly, detach from pride in possessions, and turn toward enduring spiritual aims.

What is happening in the narrative?

After the Yādavas’ destruction, Vasudeva foretells that the ocean will submerge Dvārakā—walls and towers included—once Arjuna has left, marking the final dissolution of Kṛṣṇa’s city and the closing of the Yādava era.