Shloka 48
मानसतीर्थ-शौचप्रशंसा | Praise of the ‘Mental Tīrtha’ and the Marks of Purity
वह नीले और लाल कमलके समान अनेक रंगोंसे सुशोभित, मण्डलाकार घूमनेवाला, भँवरके समान गहन चक्कर लगानेवाला, सागरकी लहरोंके समान ऊपर-नीचे होनेवाला, विचित्र मणिमालाओंसे अलंकृत और शंखध्वनिसे परिपूर्ण सर्वोत्तम विमान प्राप्त करता है ।।
sphaṭikair vajrasāraiś ca stambhaiḥ sukṛtavedikam | ārohati mahad yānaṃ haṃsasārasanāditam ||
Wika ni Bhishma: “Nakakamtan niya ang pinakamainam na vimāna: marikit sa sari-saring kulay na gaya ng asul at pulang lotus, umiikot na bilog na parang mandala, lumiliko nang malalim na gaya ng puyo, umaalon-alon na parang dagat, pinalamutian ng mga kuwintas na hiyas na kakaiba, at punô ng alingawngaw ng mga kabibe. Sumasampa siya sa isang dakilang sasakyang makalangit na may platapormang masining ang pagkakagawa, sinusuportahan ng mga haliging kristal at mga poste na tigas-diyamante, at umaalingawngaw sa huni ng mga sisne at mga sārasā. Sa bisa ng kabutihang dulot ng dharma, natatamo niya ang maringal na sasakyang panghimpapawid—larawan ng pinong gantimpalang ipinagkakaloob ng dharma sa ibayo ng mundong ito.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a karmic-ethical principle: refined, righteous action (sukṛta) yields refined results. The magnificent, well-crafted celestial vehicle symbolizes the ordered and elevating fruit of dharma—merit manifests as upliftment, beauty, and auspicious surroundings in the hereafter.
Bhishma continues his instruction by describing the reward attained by a virtuous person: he mounts a grand heavenly vehicle with crystal and adamantine pillars and a finely made platform, filled with the pleasant calls of swans and sārasas—an evocative picture of celestial honor granted through merit.