dṛśyate—was seenyatra—whereinhi—indeedtvāṣṭram—of Tvaṣṭā (Viśvakarmā), the architect of the demigodsvijñānam—the scientific knowledgeśilpa—in architecturenaipuṇam—the expertiserathyā—with main avenuescatvara—courtyardsvīthībhiḥ—and commercial roadsyathā - vāstu—on ample plots of landvinirmitam—constructedsura—of the demigodsdruma—having treeslatā—and creepersudyāna—gardensvicitra—splendidupavana—and parksanvitam—containinghema—goldśṛṅgaiḥ—having peaksdivi—the skyspṛgbhiḥ—touchingsphaṭikā—of crystal quartzaṭṭāla—having upper levelsgopuraiḥ—with gatewaysrājata—of silverārakuṭaiḥ—and brasskoṣṭhaiḥ—with treasury buildings, warehouses and stableshema—goldkumbhaiḥ—by potsalaṅkṛtaiḥ—decoratedratna—jeweledkūtaiḥ—having peaksgṛhaiḥ—with houseshemaiḥ—of goldmahā - mārakata—with precious emeraldssthalaiḥ—having floorsvāstoḥ—of the householdspatīnām—belonging to the presiding deitiesca—andgṛhaiḥ—with templesvallabhībhiḥ—with watchtowersca—andnirmitam—constructedcātuḥ - varṇya—of the four occupational ordersjana—with peopleākīrṇam—filledyadu - deva—of the Lord of the Yadus, Śrī Kṛṣṇagṛha—by the residencesullasat—beautified .
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
dṛśyate yatra hi tvāṣṭraṁ
dṛśyate
was seen
yatra
wherein
hi
indeed
tvāṣṭram
of Tvaṣṭā (Viśvakarmā), the architect of the demigods
vijñānaṁ śilpa-naipuṇam
vijñānam
the scientific knowledge
śilpa
in architecture
naipuṇam
the expertise
rathyā-catvara-vīthībhir
rathyā
with main avenues
catvara
courtyards
vīthībhiḥ
and commercial roads
yathā-vāstu vinirmitam
yathā - vāstu
on ample plots of land
vinirmitam
constructed
sura-druma-latodyāna-
sura
of the demigods
druma
having trees
latā
and creepers
vicitropavanānvitam
hema-śṛṅgair divi-spṛgbhiḥ
sphaṭikāṭṭāla-gopuraiḥ
rājatārakuṭaiḥ koṣṭhair
hema-kumbhair alaṅkṛtaiḥ
ratna-kūtair gṛhair hemair
mahā-mārakata-sthalaiḥ
vāstoṣpatīnāṁ ca gṛhair
vallabhībhiś ca nirmitam
cātur-varṇya-janākīrṇaṁ
yadu-deva-gṛhollasat
udyāna
gardens
vicitra
splendid
upavana
and parks
anvitam
containing
hema
gold
śṛṅgaiḥ
having peaks
divi
the sky
spṛgbhiḥ
touching
sphaṭikā
of crystal quartz
aṭṭāla
having upper levels
gopuraiḥ
with gateways
rājata
of silver
ārakuṭaiḥ
and brass
koṣṭhaiḥ
with treasury buildings, warehouses and stables
hema
gold
kumbhaiḥ
by pots
alaṅkṛtaiḥ
decorated
ratna
jeweled
kūtaiḥ
having peaks
gṛhaiḥ
with houses
hemaiḥ
of gold
mahā - mārakata
with precious emeralds
sthalaiḥ
having floors
vāstoḥ
of the households
patīnām
belonging to the presiding deities
ca
and
gṛhaiḥ
with temples
vallabhībhiḥ
with watchtowers
ca
and
nirmitam
constructed
cātuḥ - varṇya
of the four occupational orders
jana
with people
ākīrṇam
filled
yadu - deva
of the Lord of the Yadus, Śrī Kṛṣṇa
gṛha
by the residences
ullasat
beautified .
Important Words
tvāṣṭram—of Viśvakarmā (Tvaṣṭā)
Tvaṣṭā — one of the twelve ādityas, the architect of the demigods. His skill is here pressed into Kṛṣṇa's service. The greatest possible craftsmanship dedicated to Bhagavān's residence — and yet, in Gauḍīya frame, Goloka itself is non-manufactured, beyond any Tvaṣṭā.
śilpa-naipuṇam—expertise in architecture
Compound: śilpa (craft) + naipuṇa (skill). The verse celebrates technical brilliance — Vaiṣṇava tradition does not despise craft; it elevates craft when offered in service. Dvārakā is Tvaṣṭā's offering.
sura-druma-latā—trees and creepers of the demigods
Compound. The gardens contain kalpa-vṛkṣa and divine creepers — the city is, in plant-life as in stone, an importation of heaven. Yet Gauḍīyas insist: Dvārakā exceeds Indra's heaven, because Kṛṣṇa lives in it.
sphaṭikā—of crystal quartz
Sphaṭika — crystal. The upper levels are crystal — translucent, light-passing. The city's architecture is engineered for light, mirroring the inner light of bhakti that radiates from its central resident.
hema-śṛṅgaiḥ—with golden peaks
Compound: hema (gold) + śṛṅga (peak/horn). Gold towers touch the sky. The city's verticality reaches up toward svarga, but its center remains Bhagavān at ground level — gold reaches up to where He has come down.
In the construction of that city could be seen the full scientific knowledge and architectural skill of Viśvakarmā. There were wide avenues, commercial roads and courtyards laid out on ample plots of land; there were splendid parks, and also gardens stocked with trees and creepers from the heavenly planets. The gateway towers were topped with golden turrets touching the sky, and their upper levels were fashioned of crystal quartz. The gold-covered houses were adorned in front with golden pots and on top with jeweled roofs, and their floors were inlaid with precious emeralds. Beside the houses stood treasury buildings, warehouses, and stables for fine horses, all built of silver and brass. Each residence had a watchtower, and also a temple for its household deity. Filled with citizens of all four social orders, the city was especially beautified by the palaces of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of the Yadus.
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.
— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Gauḍīya Ācāryas
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura
Gauḍīya
Translation
In the construction of that city could be seen the full scientific knowledge and architectural skill of Viśvakarmā. There were wide avenues, commercial roads and courtyards laid out on ample plots of land; there were splendid parks, and also gardens stocked with trees and creepers from the heavenly planets. The gateway towers were topped with golden turrets touching the sky, and their upper levels were fashioned of crystal quartz. The gold-covered houses were adorned in front with golden pots and on top with jeweled roofs, and their floors were inlaid with precious emeralds. Beside the houses stood treasury buildings, warehouses, and stables for fine horses, all built of silver and brass. Each residence had a watchtower, and also a temple for its household deity. Filled with citizens of all four social orders, the city was especially beautified by the palaces of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of the Yadus.
Commentary
In that city was seen the knowledge of Visvakarma, manifest as his skill in architecture. This is described in three and half verses. It was constructed with main roads, side roads, yards and houses not extending beyond their designated areas. There were stables of silver, brass and iron, and houses with gold kalasas and spires of rubies and other jewels. It had temples (vastospatinam grha) and towers (valabhi). The city became especially beautiful with the residences of Krsna (yadudeva).
Jīva Gosvāmī
Gauḍīya
Commentary
These verses show the astonishing objects in the city. For certain one could see there the knowledge and skill of craftsmanship of Viśvakarmā. It reached its height in this city since he attained the highest abilities by the mercy of the Lord. The buildings such as stables are described (koṣṭhaiḥ) with their ornaments. The udyānas had mainly flowers and the upavanas had mainly fruit. Āra-kuṭaiḥ means brass and iron. The city was filled with people of the four varṇas. Yadu-deva refers to Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma, Vasudeva, Ugrasena and others. The living quarters should be understood as follows.
It was surrounded by the sea. To create obstacles there were then moats. Then interior to this there was seawater bordered by land on the four sides of the city for recreation. Then there were the fortress walls. On the corners and between as well there were jeweled turrets with gold peaks on which were gold spheres with flags. There were gates in the four directions. On top of the gates there were rooms with clear crystal walls for looking outside. Within the fort there were areas containing flower gardens and orchards as well as wells and water tanks. Within the area of gardens there were temples. Within that area there were stables, grain storehouses etc. Then interior to that in the east there were houses of brāhmaṇas. In the west were houses for śūdras. In the north were houses for vaiśyas and in the south were houses for kṣatriyas. In the center, facing the Sudharmā hall, were the houses of Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma, Vasudeva and Ugrasena. The houses had emerald floors and on top were turrets with gold pots shining brilliantly. Beginning from the hall there were roads radiating outwards with side roads.
Viśvakarmā's full architectural science: avenues, courtyards, parks, gardens, palaces, temples, marketplaces — Dvārakā is built to perfection. Even the Lord's strategic city is beautifully constructed; safety and beauty coexist.
Reflection Questions
Where do you treat safety and beauty as competing values?
How could shelter you build be both protective and lovely?
Analogy
Inside Dvārakā the scientific knowledge of Tvaṣṭā (Viśvakarmā) is on full display — wide avenues, commercial roads, courtyards laid out on ample plots, gardens stocked with kalpa-vṛkṣa and divine creepers, gateway-towers tipped with gold touching the sky, upper levels of crystal. The city is a vaikuṇṭha-prototype in stone and gold and quartz.
Stories
Viśvakarmā architect of Laṅkā and of Dvārakā
Viśvakarmā / Tvaṣṭā is the same divine architect who built Laṅkā for Rāvaṇa (Rāmāyaṇa) and the assembly hall for Yudhiṣṭhira (Mahābhārata Sabhā-parva). At Dvārakā his work reaches its climax: not a palace, not a single building, but a complete city for the Supreme Lord's residence.
Gauḍīyas note the difference: Laṅkā was built for Rāvaṇa's bhoga, the Sabhā for Yudhiṣṭhira's rāja-yajña, but Dvārakā is built for Kṛṣṇa's nitya-līlā. The same architect, three commissions, three rasas — the highest being the Vraja-prince's seaside city.