Shloka 7
मयस्य प्रतिकृतिः — Maya’s Offer and the Commissioning of the Sabhā
(दानवानां पुरा पार्थ प्रासादा हि मया कृता: | रम्याणि सुखगर्भाणि भोगाढ्यानि सहस्रश: ।।
dānavānāṃ purā pārtha prāsādā hi mayā kṛtāḥ | ramyāṇi sukhagarbhāṇi bhogāḍhyāni sahasraśaḥ || udyānāni ca ramyāṇi sarāṃsi vividhāni ca | vicitrāṇi ca śastrāṇi rathāḥ kāmagamās tathā || nagarāṇi viśālāni sāṭṭa-prākāra-toraṇaiḥ | vāhanāni ca mukhyāni vicitrāṇi sahasraśaḥ || bilāni ramaṇīyāni sukhayuktāni vai bhṛśam | etat kṛtaṃ mayā sarvaṃ tasmād icchāmi phālguna || arjuna uvāca—prāṇakṛcchād vimuktaṃ tvam ātmānaṃ manyase mayā | evaṃ gate na śakṣyāmi kiñcit kārayituṃ tvayā ||
Mayāsura dijo: «Oh Pārtha, en tiempos antiguos construí para los Dānavas palacios por millares: gratos a la vista, colmados de comodidades y ricos en deleites. También hice jardines encantadores, lagos de muchas clases, armas maravillosas y carros que se mueven según la voluntad. Edifiqué vastas ciudades provistas de altas torres, murallas y grandes pórticos, y miles de excelentes vehículos, variados en formas y colores. Incluso forjé numerosas estancias subterráneas, hermosas y sobremanera confortables. Todo esto lo he hecho; por ello, oh Phālguna, deseo construir algo también para ti». Arjuna respondió: «Mayāsura, crees que por mí has sido librado del peligro de muerte, y por eso deseas retribuir. Pero en tal caso, no puedo hacer que realices obra alguna para mí.»
अजुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights an ethic of disinterested protection and restraint: Arjuna refuses to commission work from Mayāsura as a ‘repayment’ for saving him, implying that aid given in a crisis should not be converted into a transactional claim. It frames virtue as acting without bargaining for return, even when gratitude is offered.
Mayāsura, recalling his extraordinary skill in constructing luxurious palaces, cities, and marvels, offers to build something for Arjuna out of gratitude for being saved from mortal danger. Arjuna responds that since Mayāsura’s offer is motivated by a sense of indebtedness for rescue, he cannot accept or commission any work from him in that spirit.