Shloka 14
Pātāla-varṇana (Nārada’s Description of the Netherworld) / पातालवर्णनम्
भवन वारुणं पश्य यदेतत् सर्वकाउ्चनम् । यत् प्राप्य सुरतां प्राप्ता: सुरा: सुरपते: सखे
bhavan vāruṇaṁ paśya yad etat sarva-kāñcanam | yat prāpya suratāṁ prāptāḥ surāḥ surapateḥ sakhe, mahendra-mitra |
Kaṇva dit : «Ô ami de Mahendra (Indra), vois ce palais de Varuṇa, entièrement façonné d’or de toutes parts. En parvenant en ce lieu, les dieux accèdent véritablement à leur état divin.»
कण्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that true divine status (suratā) is not merely a label but an attainment associated with reaching a realm aligned with cosmic order (Varuṇa’s domain). It implies that proximity to ṛta (moral-cosmic law) and the right ‘place’ or state of being confers genuine excellence and authority.
Kaṇva points out Varuṇa’s magnificent, all-golden palace to his companion addressed as Indra’s friend/ally, emphasizing the palace’s splendor and its significance as a place where the gods attain true godhood.