Shloka 15
तमस्मै शड्खमाहार्षीद् वारुणं कलशोदधि: । शैक्यं निष्कसहस्रेण सुकृतं विश्वकर्मणा
tam asmai śaṅkham āhārṣīd vāruṇaṃ kalaśodadhiḥ | śaikyaṃ niṣkasahasreṇa sukṛtaṃ viśvakarmaṇā ||
Bagi dirinya, Samudra—perbendaharaan air kelahiran Varuṇa—membawa sebuah sangkha. Sangkha itu elok dan sempurna pengerjaannya, ditempa oleh Viśvakarman, dan bernilai seribu niṣka.
दुर्योधन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how material magnificence—especially when framed as divinely sourced and expertly crafted—can be used to legitimize status and intensify attachment to power. Ethically, it invites reflection on the difference between true worth (dharma, character) and the allure of prestige objects.
In Duryodhana’s narration, a remarkable conch is presented: the Ocean brings a Varuṇa-associated conch, exquisitely made by Viśvakarman and said to be worth a thousand niṣkas, emphasizing extraordinary wealth and splendor connected with royal or heroic possession.