Shloka 21

Śikhaṇḍinī’s Marriage Arrangement and the Daśārṇa Envoy’s Accusation (शिखण्डिनी-विवाह-विप्रलम्भ-प्रसङ्गः)

Devanagari script

तत्र च स्थूणभवन सुधामृत्तिकलेपनम्‌ । लाजोल्लापिकधूमाद्यमुच्चप्राकारतोरणम्‌

Transliteration

tatra ca sthūṇabhavanaṃ sudhāmṛttikulepanam | lājollāpikadhūmādyam uccaprākāratoraṇam |

Translation

ಅದರೊಳಗೆ ಸ್ಥೂಣಾಕರ್ಣನ ಮಹತ್ತಾದ ಕಂಬಗಳಿರುವ ಭವನವಿತ್ತು; ಅದು ಸುಣ್ಣ ಮತ್ತು ಮಣ್ಣಿನಿಂದ ಲೇಪಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟಿತ್ತು. ಅದರ ಪ್ರಾಕಾರಗಳೂ ತೋರಣಗಳೂ ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಎತ್ತರವಾಗಿದ್ದವು; ಸುಗಂಧ ದ್ರವ್ಯಗಳ ಧೂಪಧೂಮದ ಪರಿಮಳವು ಎಲ್ಲೆಡೆ ವ್ಯಾಪಿಸಿತ್ತು.

Word by Word

• तत्र: there
• तत्र: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तत्र

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• स्थूण-भवनम्: a pillar-supported building / pillared mansion
• स्थूण-भवनम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भवन (स्थूण)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• सुधा-मृत्तिका-लेपनम्: plastering with lime and clay
• सुधा-मृत्तिका-लेपनम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: लेपन (सुधा, मृत्तिका)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• लाज-उल्लापिक-धूम-आद्यम्: having (fragrance/smoke) of parched grain and aromatic fumigation, etc.
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आद्य (लाज, उल्लापिक, धूम)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

• उच्च-प्राकार-तोरणम्: a lofty rampart and gateway/arch
• उच्च-प्राकार-तोरणम्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: तोरण (उच्च, प्राकार)
• Form: Neuter, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• sthūṇabhavana (pillared mansion)
• sudhā (lime plaster)
• mṛttikā (clay)
• prākāra (rampart/fortification)
• toraṇa (gateway)
• dhūma (incense-smoke)
• lāja (parched grain, auspicious/ritual item)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how outward order—clean plastered halls, strong walls, lofty gates, and auspicious fragrance—signals disciplined governance and preparedness. In the Udyoga context (the lead-up to war), such imagery underscores that power should be structured, protected, and maintained with propriety rather than chaos.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma is describing a grand, well-fortified residence/complex: a large pillared building plastered with lime and clay, with very high ramparts and gateways, and an atmosphere filled with fragrant incense-smoke and similar aromatics—setting a scene of royal magnificence and careful arrangement.