Shloka 19
Arjuna meets the Lokapālas, is tested by Indra, and is led to Amarāvatī for astra-śikṣā
Indraloka-gamana
अत्यर्कानलदीप्तं तत् स्थान विष्णोर्महात्मन: । स्वयैव प्रभया राजन दुष्प्रेक्ष्यं देवदानवैः
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
atyarkānaladīptaṃ tat sthānaṃ viṣṇor mahātmanaḥ |
svayaiva prabhayā rājan duṣprekṣyaṃ devadānavaiḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Ô Roi, la demeure suprême du magnanime Viṣṇu flamboie d’un éclat qui surpasse même le soleil et le feu. Elle resplendit de sa propre splendeur, et il est extrêmement difficile aux dieux comme aux démons de la regarder.»
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes the transcendence of the Supreme: Viṣṇu’s highest abode is self-luminous and beyond ordinary perception, so even exalted beings (gods and demons) cannot easily behold it—suggesting humility, reverence, and the limits of mere power or status before the divine.
Vaiśampāyana describes to the king a vision/description of Viṣṇu’s supreme realm, portraying it as more radiant than sun and fire and inherently self-illuminating, thereby setting a tone of awe and underscoring the extraordinary nature of that divine station.