Shloka 21

Devanagari script

तत्र च स्थूणभवन सुधामृत्तिकलेपनम्‌ । लाजोल्लापिकधूमाद्यमुच्चप्राकारतोरणम्‌,उसके भीतर स्थूणाकर्णका विशाल भवन था, जो चूना और मिट्टीसे लीपा गया था। उसके परकोटे और फाटक बहुत ऊँचे थे। उसमें खसकी जड़के धूमकी सुगन्ध फैली हुई थी

Transliteration

tatra ca sthūṇabhavanaṃ sudhāmṛttikulepanam | lājollāpikadhūmādyam uccaprākāratoraṇam |

Translation

其间矗立着柱廊宏伟的宅邸，外壁以石灰与泥土抹饰。城垣与门阙高耸入云，处处弥漫着芳香之物燃起的馥郁烟气——显出精心的布置、富庶的气象，以及刻意彰显的王者秩序与守卫。

Word by Word

तत्रthere

चand

स्थूण-भवनम्a pillar-supported building / pillared mansion

सुधा-मृत्तिका-लेपनम्plastering with lime and clay

लाज-उल्लापिक-धूम-आद्यम्having (fragrance/smoke) of parched grain and aromatic fumigation, etc.

उच्च-प्राकार-तोरणम्a lofty rampart and gateway/arch

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

sthūṇabhavana (pillared mansion)

sudhā (lime plaster)

mṛttikā (clay)

prākāra (rampart/fortification)

toraṇa (gateway)

dhūma (incense-smoke)

lāja (parched grain, auspicious/ritual item)

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how outward order—clean plastered halls, strong walls, lofty gates, and auspicious fragrance—signals disciplined governance and preparedness. In the Udyoga context (the lead-up to war), such imagery underscores that power should be structured, protected, and maintained with propriety rather than chaos.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma is describing a grand, well-fortified residence/complex: a large pillared building plastered with lime and clay, with very high ramparts and gateways, and an atmosphere filled with fragrant incense-smoke and similar aromatics—setting a scene of royal magnificence and careful arrangement.