Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 53
Jarāsandha’s Siege of Mathurā, Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma’s Victory, and the Founding of Dvārakā amid Kālayavana’s Threat
दृश्यते यत्र हि त्वाष्ट्रं विज्ञानं शिल्पनैपुणम् । रथ्याचत्वरवीथीभिर्यथावास्तु विनिर्मितम् ॥ ५० ॥ सुरद्रुमलतोद्यानविचित्रोपवनान्वितम् । हेमशृङ्गैर्दिविस्पृग्भि: स्फटिकाट्टालगोपुरै: ॥ ५१ ॥ राजतारकुटै: कोष्ठैर्हेमकुम्भैरलङ्कृतै: । रत्नकूतैर्गृहैर्हेमैर्महामारकत स्थलै: ॥ ५२ ॥ वास्तोष्पतीनां च गृहैर्वल्लभीभिश्च निर्मितम् । चातुर्वर्ण्यजनाकीर्णं यदुदेवगृहोल्लसत् ॥ ५३ ॥
dṛśyate yatra hi tvāṣṭraṁ vijñānaṁ śilpa-naipuṇam rathyā-catvara-vīthībhir yathā-vāstu vinirmitam
En la edificación de aquella ciudad se veía plenamente el saber científico y la destreza arquitectónica de Viśvakarmā. Amplias avenidas, calles de comercio y patios se trazaron, conforme al vāstu, sobre extensos terrenos; y la adornaban espléndidos parques y jardines poblados de árboles y enredaderas celestiales. Las torres de las puertas, coronadas con cúpulas de oro que tocaban el cielo, tenían sus niveles superiores labrados en cristal. Las casas recubiertas de oro lucían vasijas de oro al frente, techos con cúspides de joyas y suelos incrustados de esmeraldas; junto a ellas había tesoros, almacenes y establos de nobles caballos, construidos de plata y bronce. Cada morada tenía una torre de vigilancia y un templo para su deidad familiar; colmada de gentes de los cuatro varṇa, la ciudad resplandecía especialmente por los palacios de Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Señor de los Yadus.
Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that the state highways ( rathyāḥ ) were in front and the secondary roads ( vīthyaḥ ) behind, and between them were courtyards ( catvarāṇi ). Within these courtyards were surrounding walls, and within the walls stood golden residences, atop which shone crystal watchtowers crowned with golden pots. Thus the buildings were multistoried. The word vāstu indicates that the houses and buildings were constructed on ample plots of land, with plenty of room for green areas.
FAQs
This verse notes that the city was “crowded with people of the four varṇas,” showing an ordered society where different duties and livelihoods coexist in harmony under dharma.
Śukadeva describes Mathurā’s splendor to show the prosperity and prominence of the Yadu dynasty—Krishna’s own people—at the time when major conflicts (like Jarāsandha’s attacks) unfold.
Create communities where diverse roles are respected, families are supported, and public life is organized around shared values—so society becomes stable, dignified, and spiritually conducive.