दुर्योधनस्य बलिवर्णनम् — Duryodhana’s Description of Tribute at the Rājasūya
ततः स्फाटिकतोयां वै स्फाटिकाम्बुजशोभिताम् । वापीं मत्वा स्थलमिव सवासा: प्रापतज्जले,तत्पश्चात् स्फटिकमणिके समान स्वच्छ जलसे भरी और स्फटिकमणिमय कमलोंसे सुशोभित बावलीको स्थल मानकर वह वस्त्रसहित जलमें गिर पड़ा
tataḥ sphāṭikato yāṃ vai sphāṭikāmbujaśobhitām | vāpīṃ matvā sthalam iva savāsāḥ prāpatat jale ||
ਤਦ ਸਫਟਿਕ ਵਰਗੇ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਜਲ ਨਾਲ ਭਰੀ ਅਤੇ ਸਫਟਿਕਮਈ ਕਮਲਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਸੁਸ਼ੋਭਿਤ ਉਸ ਬਾਵੜੀ ਨੂੰ ਧਰਤੀ ਸਮਝ ਕੇ, ਉਹ ਕੱਪੜਿਆਂ ਸਮੇਤ ਅੱਗੇ ਵਧਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਪਾਣੀ ਵਿੱਚ ਡਿੱਗ ਪਿਆ।
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights how delusion and overconfidence can distort perception: what seems firm and certain may be illusory, and arrogance can lead to a fall—literally and socially—especially in a public setting.
In the wondrous hall (with optical illusions), a crystal-clear pool decorated with crystal lotuses appears like solid floor. The person, thinking it is dry ground, steps onto it and falls into the water while still wearing his clothes.