Mahabharata — Svargarohana Parva, Shloka 42

Devanagari script

रत्नवेदिकसम्बाधं वैदूर्यममणितोरणम्‌ । हेमजालपरिक्षिप्तं प्रवालवलभीमुखम्‌

Transliteration

ratnavedikāsambādhaṃ vaidūryamaṇitoraṇam | hemajālaparikṣiptaṃ pravālavalahīmukham ||

Translation

वह रत्नमय वेदिकाओं से सघन, वैदूर्य-मणियों के तोरणों से युक्त, स्वर्ण-जाल से परिक्षिप्त और प्रवाल-सी आभा वाले अग्रभाग तथा छज्जों से युक्त था।

Word by Word

• रत्नवेदिकसम्बाधम्: crowded/packed with jeweled platforms
• रत्नवेदिकसम्बाधम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रत्नवेदिकसम्बाध
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• वैदूर्यमणितोरणम्: having an archway of vaidūrya-gems (cat's-eye)
• वैदूर्यमणितोरणम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वैदूर्यमणितोरण
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• हेमजालपरिक्षिप्तम्: surrounded/encircled with a net of gold
• हेमजालपरिक्षिप्तम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: हेमजालपरिक्षिप्त
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• प्रवालवलभीमुखम्: with a coral (pravalā) portico/terrace-front
• प्रवालवलभीमुखम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रवालवलभीमुख
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• ratna-vedikā (jeweled platforms)
• vaidūrya-maṇi (vaidūrya gems)
• toraṇa (ornamental gateways)
• hema-jāla (golden lattice/net)
• pravāla (coral)
• valabhī (roof/eaves)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores that the transcendent realm is portrayed as perfectly ordered and luminous; such imagery functions as a narrative sign of karmic fruition—ethical life (dharma) culminating in a fitting, elevated destination.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana describes a magnificent celestial structure encountered during the ascent narrative, detailing its jeweled platforms, gem-studded gateways, golden latticework, and coral-like radiance.