Shloka 21
Śiśupāla’s Protest Against the Arghya to Kṛṣṇa (शिशुपाल-आक्षेपः)
सर्वतः संवृतानुच्चै: प्राकारैः सुकृतैः सितै: । सुवर्णजालसंवीतान् मणिकुट्टिम भूषितान्,वे भव्य भवन सब ओरसे सुन्दर, सफेद और ऊँचे परकोटोंद्वारा घिरे हुए थे। उनमें सोनेकी झालरें लगी थीं। उनके आँगनके फर्शमें मणि एवं रत्न जड़े हुए थे
sarvataḥ saṃvṛtān uccaiḥ prākāraiḥ sukṛtaiḥ sitaiḥ | suvarṇajālasaṃvītān maṇikuṭṭima-bhūṣitān ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Por todos lados estaban cercados por altas murallas blancas, sólidamente construidas. Se adornaban con celosías de oro, y sus patios lucían pavimentos incrustados de gemas: imagen de prosperidad regia y de un esplendor ordenado con esmero.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the visible signs of orderly kingship—security (ramparts), refinement (gold latticework), and prosperity (gem-inlaid pavements). In the Sabha context, such splendor also foreshadows how wealth and display can become instruments of political power and temptation.
Vaiśampāyana is describing magnificent royal buildings/complexes: they are surrounded by high, well-built white walls, ornamented with gold latticework, and their courtyards have gem-inlaid mosaic pavements.