Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 51
Jarāsandha’s Siege of Mathurā, Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma’s Victory, and the Founding of Dvārakā amid Kālayavana’s Threat
दृश्यते यत्र हि त्वाष्ट्रं विज्ञानं शिल्पनैपुणम् । रथ्याचत्वरवीथीभिर्यथावास्तु विनिर्मितम् ॥ ५० ॥ सुरद्रुमलतोद्यानविचित्रोपवनान्वितम् । हेमशृङ्गैर्दिविस्पृग्भि: स्फटिकाट्टालगोपुरै: ॥ ५१ ॥ राजतारकुटै: कोष्ठैर्हेमकुम्भैरलङ्कृतै: । रत्नकूतैर्गृहैर्हेमैर्महामारकत स्थलै: ॥ ५२ ॥ वास्तोष्पतीनां च गृहैर्वल्लभीभिश्च निर्मितम् । चातुर्वर्ण्यजनाकीर्णं यदुदेवगृहोल्लसत् ॥ ५३ ॥
dṛśyate yatra hi tvāṣṭraṁ vijñānaṁ śilpa-naipuṇam rathyā-catvara-vīthībhir yathā-vāstu vinirmitam
Sa pagtatayo ng lungsod na iyon, malinaw na nakita ang ganap na kaalaman at husay sa sining-arkitektura ni Viśvakarmā. Ang malalapad na lansangan, liwasan, at mga daang pangkalakalan ay inayos ayon sa vāstu; may mararangyang parke at mga harding hitik sa mga punò at baging na mula sa langit. Ang mga tore ng tarangkahan ay may gintong tuktok na tila sumasayad sa langit, at ang itaas na bahagi ay yari sa malinaw na kristal. Ang mga bahay na nababalutan ng ginto ay may gintong banga sa harap, bubong na may hiyas, at sahig na inukitan ng esmeralda. Sa tabi nito ay may mga kabang-yaman, bodega, at kuwadra ng mahuhusay na kabayo, na gawa sa pilak at tanso. Bawat tahanan ay may bantay-tore at dambana ng diyos ng sambahayan. Punô ng mamamayan ng apat na varṇa, lalo pang gumanda ang lungsod dahil sa mga palasyo ni Śrī Kṛṣṇa, Panginoon ng mga Yadu.
Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that the state highways ( rathyāḥ ) were in front and the secondary roads ( vīthyaḥ ) behind, and between them were courtyards ( catvarāṇi ). Within these courtyards were surrounding walls, and within the walls stood golden residences, atop which shone crystal watchtowers crowned with golden pots. Thus the buildings were multistoried. The word vāstu indicates that the houses and buildings were constructed on ample plots of land, with plenty of room for green areas.
FAQs
This verse describes Dvārakā as filled with celestial trees, gardens and groves, and crowned with crystal towers and golden pinnacles—portraying the Lord’s city as a divine, heaven-touching abode.
Śukadeva presents Dvārakā’s splendor to show that where Bhagavān resides, nature and architecture reflect spiritual excellence—opulence used in the Lord’s service rather than for mundane pride.
Beautify one’s surroundings for sāttvika living and worship—keeping home and mind “well-built” with purity, gratitude, and devotion—so prosperity becomes an offering rather than an obsession.