Shloka 11
Nārada Sees Lord Kṛṣṇa’s Yoga-māyā in the Palaces of the Queens
Dvāra-kā-līlā
विष्टब्धं विद्रुमस्तम्भैर्वैदूर्यफलकोत्तमै: । इन्द्रनीलमयै: कुड्यैर्जगत्या चाहतत्विषा ॥ ९ ॥ वितानैर्निर्मितैस्त्वष्ट्रा मुक्तादामविलम्बिभि: । दान्तैरासनपर्यङ्कैर्मण्युत्तमपरिष्कृतै: ॥ १० ॥ दासीभिर्निष्ककण्ठीभि: सुवासोभिरलङ्कृतम् । पुम्भि: सकञ्चुकोष्णीषसुवस्त्रमणिकुण्डलै: ॥ ११ ॥ रत्नप्रदीपनिकरद्युतिभिर्निरस्त- ध्वान्तं विचित्रवलभीषु शिखण्डिनोऽङ्ग । नृत्यन्ति यत्र विहितागुरुधूपमक्षै- र्निर्यान्तमीक्ष्य घनबुद्धय उन्नदन्त: ॥ १२ ॥
viṣṭabdhaṁ vidruma-stambhair vaidūrya-phalakottamaiḥ indranīla-mayaiḥ kuḍyair jagatyā cāhata-tviṣā
Para dayang berpakaian indah dengan loket di leher melayani; dan para pengawal lelaki berperisai, berserban, berseragam halus serta bertindik anting permata berjaga.
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes: “There was so much incense and fragrant gum burning that the scented fumes were coming out of the windows. The peacocks sitting on the steps became illusioned by the fumes, mistaking them for clouds, and began dancing jubilantly. There were many maidservants, all of whom were decorated with gold necklaces, bangles and beautiful sārīs. There were also many male servants, who were nicely decorated in cloaks and turbans and jeweled earrings. Beautiful as they were, the servants were all engaged in different household duties.”
FAQs
This verse describes the palace as richly adorned with finely dressed maidservants and attendants wearing gold, jewels, turbans, and excellent garments—showing Dvārakā’s extraordinary, divine prosperity.
In this chapter, Śukadeva narrates Parīkṣit’s inquiry into Kṛṣṇa’s daily life by detailing the queens’ palaces, revealing Kṛṣṇa’s majesty and the splendor surrounding His pastimes in Dvārakā.
It teaches that beauty and prosperity can be engaged in devotion—when centered on serving the Lord, external opulence need not become a cause of pride or bondage.