Shloka 3
Kailāsa-darśana, Badarī-vāsa, and Sarasvatī–Dvaitavana Transition (कैलासदर्शन–बदरीवास–सरस्वतीद्वैतवनगमनम्)
गोपुराट्टालकोपेतं चतुर्द्धारं दुरासदम् सर्वरत्नमयं दिव्यमद्भुतोपमदर्शनम्,उस नगरमें ऊँचे-ऊँचे गोपुरोंसहित सुन्दर अट्ठटालिकायें सुशोभित थीं। उसमें चारों दिशाओंमें एक-एक करके चार फाटक लगे थे। शत्रुओंके लिये उस नगरमें प्रवेश पाना अत्यन्त कठिन था। सब प्रकारके रत्नोंसे निर्मित वह दिव्य नगर अद्भुत दिखायी देता था
Arjuna uvāca: gopurāṭṭālakopetaṃ caturdvāraṃ durāsadam | sarvaratnamayaṃ divyam adbhutopamadārśanam ||
Arjuna said: “That city was adorned with lofty gateway-towers and beautiful multi-storied mansions. It had four gates, one in each direction, and was exceedingly hard for enemies to enter. Fashioned as if from every kind of jewel, it appeared radiant and wondrous—its very sight comparable to a marvel.”
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how external grandeur—fortifications, ordered gates, and jewel-like splendor—signals political strength and security, yet also invites reflection that worldly power is impressive but ultimately a surface appearance within the larger moral narrative of the Mahābhārata.
Arjuna is describing a magnificent, well-defended city: it has towering gate-structures, multi-storied buildings, four directional gates, and a dazzling, gem-like radiance that makes it seem wondrous to behold.