Shloka 51

Jarāsandha’s Siege of Mathurā, Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma’s Victory, and the Founding of Dvārakā amid Kālayavana’s Threat

Devanagari script

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 ॥

Transliteration

dṛśyate yatra hi tvāṣṭraṁ vijñānaṁ śilpa-naipuṇam rathyā-catvara-vīthībhir yathā-vāstu vinirmitam

Translation

在那城的营建中，毗首羯磨的圆满技艺与建筑妙智历历可见。宽阔大道、广场与商路皆依瓦斯图之法布置；华美园林与奇妙花苑，遍植天界之树与藤蔓。城门楼塔金顶摩天，上层以水晶琢成。金饰宅第前陈金壶，屋脊聚宝如峰，地面嵌以大绿宝石；旁有银铜所建的府库、仓廪与良马厩舍。每户皆设望楼，并有家神之祠。四姓居民充满其间，而此城尤因雅度之主圣克里希那的宫殿而倍增光辉。

Synonyms

• सुर-द्रुम-लता-उद्यान-विचित्र-उपवन-अन्वितम्: endowed with divine trees, creepers, gardens, and varied groves
• सुर-द्रुम-लता-उद्यान-विचित्र-उपवन-अन्वितम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सुर (प्रातिपदिक) + द्रुम (प्रातिपदिक) + लता (प्रातिपदिक) + उद्यान (प्रातिपदिक) + विचित्र (प्रातिपदिक) + उपवन (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्वित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषसमासः; विशेषणम् (नगरम्/दुर्गम्) इति; ‘endowed with’ (अन्वित) + ‘gardens/parks with divine trees and creepers, varied groves’

• हेम-शृङ्गैः: with golden peaks/spires
• हेम-शृङ्गैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हेम (प्रातिपदिक) + शृङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः ‘हेम्नः शृङ्गैः’

• दिवि-स्पृग्भिः: touching the sky
• दिवि-स्पृग्भिः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दिवि (अव्यय/सप्तमी-रूप) + स्पृश् (धातु) → स्पृग् (प्रातिपदिक, ‘touching’)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; उपपद-तत्पुरुषः ‘दिवि स्पृशन्ति’ = ‘sky-touching’; विशेषणम् (शृङ्गैः/गोपुरैः)

• स्फटिक-आट्टाल-गोपुरैः: with crystal towers and gateways
• स्फटिक-आट्टाल-गोपुरैः: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्फटिक (प्रातिपदिक) + आट्टाल (प्रातिपदिक) + गोपुर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, बहुवचन; द्वन्द्वः (आट्टालानि च गोपुराणि च) विशेषितः ‘स्फटिक’ इति

Purport

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

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Dvārakā’s beauty and opulence?

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.

Why is Dvārakā described with heavenly trees and crystal towers in Krishna Leela?

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.

How can a devotee apply this teaching in modern life?

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.