FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.33.17

स्वच्छस्फटिककुड्येषु महामारकतेषु च । रत्नप्रदीपा आभान्ति ललना रत्नसंयुता: ॥ १७ ॥
svaccha-sphaṭika-kuḍyeṣu
[svachcha-sphatika-kudyeshu]
mahā-mārakateṣu ca
[mahaa-maarakateshu cha]
ratna-pradīpā ābhānti
[ratna-pradeepaa aabhaanti]
lalanā ratna-saṁyutāḥ
[lalanaa ratna-samyutaah]
svaccha — pure sphaṭika — marble kuḍyeṣu — on the walls mahā-mārakateṣu — decorated with valuable emeralds ca — and ratna-pradīpāḥ — jewel lamps ābhānti — shine lalanāḥ — women ratna — with jewelry saṁyutāḥ — decorated.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
svaccha-sphaṭika-kuḍyeṣu
svaccha
pure
sphaṭika
marble
kuḍyeṣu
on the walls
mahā-mārakateṣu ca
mahā-mārakateṣu
decorated with valuable emeralds
ca
and
ratna-pradīpā ābhānti
ratna-pradīpāḥ
jewel lamps
ābhānti
shine
lalanā ratna-saṁyutāḥ
lalanāḥ
women
ratna
with jewelry
saṁyutāḥ
decorated.
The walls of the house were made of first-class marble, decorated with valuable jewels. There was no need of light, for the household was illuminated by the rays of these jewels. The female members of the household were all amply decorated with jewelry.

It is understood from this statement that the opulences of household life were exhibited in valuable jewels, ivory, first-class marble, and furniture made of gold and jewels. The clothes are also mentioned as being decorated with golden filigree. Everything actually had some value. It was not like the furniture of the present day, which is cast in valueless plastic or base metal. The way of Vedic civilization is that whatever was used in household affairs had to be valuable. In case of need, such items of value could be exchanged immediately. Thus one’s broken and unwanted furniture and paraphernalia would never be without value. This system is still followed by Indians in household affairs. They keep metal utensils and golden ornaments or silver plates and valuable silk garments with gold embroidery, and in case of need, they can have some money in exchange immediately. There are exchanges for the moneylenders and the householders.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Jewel lamps shone on clear crystal walls decorated with large emeralds. The women were decorated with jewels.
Renunciation here is reframed as honest accounting: noticing what we are actually clinging to, and what those attachments cost the soul over time.
Reflection Questions
  • Which attachment, if you were honest, has been quietly running your decisions?
  • Where might detachment look like neglect from outside while actually being clarity inside?
📝 My note

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