Shloka 4.51.3

स्वयंप्रभा-प्रश्नोत्तरम् / Svayamprabha Explains the Golden Forest and Questions the Vanaras

Devanagari script

महद्धरण्या विवरं प्रविष्टाः स्म पिपासिताः।इमां स्त्वेवंविधान्भावान्विविधानद्भुतोपमान्।।4.51.3।।दृष्ट्वा वयं प्रव्यथितास्सम्भ्रान्ता नष्टचेतसः।

Transliteration

kāñcanāni vimānāni rājatāni gṛhāṇi ca || 4.51.5 || tapanīyagavākṣāṇi maṇijālāvṛtāni ca |

Translation

Whose are these golden vimānas and these silver dwellings, with radiant golden windows, veiled by lattices of gems?

Context

'Thirst drove us into this cave on earth. We are amazed at the kind of many wonderful objects here and have nearly lost our senses. We are tormented with pain.

Characters & Entities

• vimāna (palatial structure)
• gṛha (houses)
• gavākṣa (windows)
• maṇi-jāla (jeweled lattice)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Non-attachment supported by inquiry: the vanaras do not claim the splendor but seek its explanation, aligning wonder with disciplined conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

The party observes opulent, seemingly supernatural architecture within the cave and asks the ascetic to identify whose it is.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Disciplined curiosity—marvel does not become greed; it becomes a question posed to a spiritual authority.