Shloka 6
दुर्योधनस्य बलिवर्णनम् — Duryodhana’s Description of Tribute at the Rājasūya
ततः स्फाटिकतोयां वै स्फाटिकाम्बुजशोभिताम् । वापीं मत्वा स्थलमिव सवासा: प्रापतज्जले
tataḥ sphāṭikato yāṃ vai sphāṭikāmbujaśobhitām | vāpīṃ matvā sthalam iva savāsāḥ prāpatat jale ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Entonces, tomando por tierra firme un estanque de aguas diáfanas como cristal, adornado con lotos de cristal, avanzó como si pisara suelo seco y, aún vestido, cayó al agua.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how delusion and overconfidence can distort perception: what seems firm and certain may be illusory, and arrogance can lead to a fall—literally and socially—especially in a public setting.
In the wondrous hall (with optical illusions), a crystal-clear pool decorated with crystal lotuses appears like solid floor. The person, thinking it is dry ground, steps onto it and falls into the water while still wearing his clothes.