Shloka 48
मानसतीर्थ-शौचप्रशंसा | Praise of the ‘Mental Tīrtha’ and the Marks of Purity
वह नीले और लाल कमलके समान अनेक रंगोंसे सुशोभित, मण्डलाकार घूमनेवाला, भँवरके समान गहन चक्कर लगानेवाला, सागरकी लहरोंके समान ऊपर-नीचे होनेवाला, विचित्र मणिमालाओंसे अलंकृत और शंखध्वनिसे परिपूर्ण सर्वोत्तम विमान प्राप्त करता है ।।
sphaṭikair vajrasāraiś ca stambhaiḥ sukṛtavedikam | ārohati mahad yānaṃ haṃsasārasanāditam ||
Bhishma bersabda—Ia memperoleh wimana terbaik: berhias aneka warna laksana teratai biru dan merah, berputar membentuk lingkaran, rapat oleh pusaran yang dalam, naik-turun seperti gelombang samudra, dihiasi untaian permata yang beragam, dan dipenuhi gema bunyi sangkakala. Ia menaiki yāna agung yang berpelataran indah, ditopang pilar-pilar kristal dan tiang sekeras wajra, serta bergema oleh seruan angsa dan burung sārasā.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a karmic-ethical principle: refined, righteous action (sukṛta) yields refined results. The magnificent, well-crafted celestial vehicle symbolizes the ordered and elevating fruit of dharma—merit manifests as upliftment, beauty, and auspicious surroundings in the hereafter.
Bhishma continues his instruction by describing the reward attained by a virtuous person: he mounts a grand heavenly vehicle with crystal and adamantine pillars and a finely made platform, filled with the pleasant calls of swans and sārasas—an evocative picture of celestial honor granted through merit.