FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.9.64

वाप्यो वैदूर्यसोपाना: पद्मोत्पलकुमुद्वती: हंसकारण्डवकुलैर्जुष्टाश्चक्राह्वसारसै: ॥ ६४ ॥
vāpyo vaidūrya-sopānāḥ
[vaapyo vaidoorya-sopaanaah]
padmotpala-kumud-vatīḥ
[padmotpala-kumud-vateeh]
haṁsa-kāraṇḍava-kulair
[hamsa-kaarandava-kulair]
juṣṭāś cakrāhva-sārasaiḥ
[jushtaash chakraahva-saarasaih]
vāpyaḥ — lakes vaidūrya — emerald sopānāḥ — with staircases padma — lotuses utpala — blue lotuses kumut-vatīḥ — full of lilies haṁsa — swans kāraṇḍava — and ducks kulaiḥ — by flocks of juṣṭāḥ — inhabited cakrāhva — by cakravākas (geese) sārasaiḥ — and by cranes.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
vāpyo vaidūrya-sopānāḥ
vāpyaḥ
lakes
vaidūrya
emerald
sopānāḥ
with staircases
padmotpala-kumud-vatīḥ
padma
lotuses
utpala
blue lotuses
kumut-vatīḥ
full of lilies
haṁsa-kāraṇḍava-kulair
haṁsa
swans
kāraṇḍava
and ducks
kulaiḥ
by flocks of
juṣṭāś cakrāhva-sārasaiḥ
juṣṭāḥ
inhabited
cakrāhva
by cakravākas (geese)
sārasaiḥ
and by cranes.
There were emerald staircases which led to lakes full of variously colored lotus flowers and lilies, and swans, kāraṇḍavas, cakravākas, cranes and similar other valuable birds were visible in those lakes.

It appears that not only was the palace surrounded by compounds and gardens with varieties of trees, but there were small man-made lakes also, where the water was full of many-colored lotus flowers and lilies, and to get down to the lakes there were staircases made of valuable jewels such as emeralds. By the beautifully positioned garden houses there were many luxuriant birds, such as swans, cakravākas, kāraṇḍavas and cranes. These birds generally do not live in filthy places like crows do. The atmosphere of the city was very healthy and beautiful; it can simply be imagined from its description.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
There were lakes with cat’s eye stairs, filled with lotuses, blue lotuses and white lotuses, inhabited by swans, ducks, cakravākas and cranes. These were items of enjoyment.
Emerald staircases lead to lakes of lotuses and lilies, with swans, cranes and many valuable birds. Beautiful staircases lead to beautiful waters; pathways and destinations match.
Reflection Questions
  • Do the pathways of my daily life lead toward beautiful waters or just more pavement?
  • Where could I redesign even one stair-step to better match the destination I claim to want?
📝 My note

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