Shloka 2
Adhyāya 57: Tapas–Dāna Phala
On the Fruits of Austerity and Giving
ततो ददर्श नृपति: प्रासादं सर्वकाउ्चनम् । मणिस्तम्भसहस्राढ्यं गन्धर्वनगरोपमम्
tato dadarśa nṛpatiḥ prāsādaṃ sarva-kāñcanam | maṇi-stambha-sahasrāḍhyaṃ gandharva-nagaropamam ||
Entonces el rey contempló un palacio espléndido, enteramente labrado en oro. Enriquecido con miles de columnas engastadas de gemas, por su fulgor parecía la ciudad celestial de los Gandharvas.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dazzling power of wealth and magnificence; in a dharmic context it implicitly reminds a ruler to maintain self-control and clear judgment when confronted with opulence, treating prosperity as a responsibility rather than an intoxication.
Bhishma narrates that the king arrives at a place and sees an extraordinary golden palace with thousands of gem-pillars, so splendid that it resembles the celestial city of the Gandharvas.