Shloka 38

Devanagari script

प्राकारेण परिक्षिप्तं सौवर्णेन समन्ततः । सर्वरत्नद्युतिमता सर्वोद्यानवता तथा,उसके चारों ओर सोनेकी चहारदीवारी बनी थी। उसमें सब प्रकारके रत्न जड़े होनेसे उनकी प्रभा फैलती रहती थी। चहारदीवारीके सब ओर सुन्दर बगीचे थे। उस चहारदीवारीकी ऊँचाई पर्वतसे भी अधिक थी। बहुतसे भवनों और अट्टालिकाओंसे उसकी बड़ी शोभा हो रही थी। द्वार, तोरण (गोपुर), बुर्ज और ध्वजसमुदाय उसकी शोभा बढ़ा रहे थे

Transliteration

vaiśampāyana uvāca |

prākāreṇa parikṣiptaṃ sauvarṇena samantataḥ |

sarvaratnadyutimata sarvodyānavatā tathā ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: It was enclosed by a rampart, entirely overlaid with gold. It shone with the radiance of every kind of jewel, and it was likewise surrounded by gardens on all sides. The description underscores royal prosperity and careful protection—outer splendor paired with strong boundaries—setting a scene where worldly magnificence can both inspire awe and test one’s discernment about what is truly enduring.

Word by Word

प्राकारेणby/with a rampart (wall)

परिक्षिप्तम्enclosed/surrounded

सौवर्णेनwith gold; golden

समन्ततःon all sides; all around

सर्वरत्नद्युतिमताwith the splendor of all gems; gem-radiant

सर्वोद्यानवताhaving all (kinds of) gardens; garden-filled

तथाand so; likewise

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

prākāra (rampart/wall)

gold (sauvarṇa)

jewels (ratna)

gardens (udyāna)

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the contrast between outer magnificence (gold, jewels, gardens) and the human tendency to be captivated by it; in the Mahābhārata’s ethical horizon, such splendor is a setting that can test discernment (viveka) and remind one that power and wealth require restraint and right conduct.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana is describing a splendidly fortified enclosure: a golden rampart, radiant with many jewels, with gardens all around—an establishing description of a grand, protected royal or celestial residence.