Shloka 23
हंसेन्दुवर्णसदूशानायोजनसुदर्शनान् । असम्बाधान् समद्वारान् युतानुच्चावचैर्गुणै:,वे सभी अतिथिभवन हंस और चन्द्रमाके समान सफेद थे। एक योजन दूरसे ही वे अच्छी तरह दिखायी देने लगते थे। उनमें स्थानकी संकीर्णता या तंगी नहीं थी। सबके दरवाजे बराबर थे। वे सभी गृह विभिन्न गुणों (सुख-सुविधाओं)-से युक्त थे
haṃsenduvarṇasadṛśān āyojanasudarśanān | asambādhān samadvārān yutān uccāvacair guṇaiḥ ||
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: The guest-houses were white like swans and the moon, and so conspicuous that they could be seen from as far as a yojana away. They were spacious, free from crowding or constriction; their doorways were uniform and well-arranged; and each dwelling was furnished with varied excellences—comforts and amenities suited to receiving guests with dignity.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic ideal of hospitality and orderly governance: public spaces meant for guests should be clean, accessible, spacious, and well-provisioned, reflecting a ruler’s responsibility to provide comfort and dignity to visitors.
Vaiśaṃpāyana is describing the impressive guest-houses—bright white, visible from afar, spacious, uniformly designed, and richly equipped—emphasizing the grandeur and careful arrangement of the royal setting.