1436 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 3, Ch. 33

TEXT 17

PRT «MANET 7 |
Taran «= arafsa  seaANaaTAT: 120!

svaccha-sphatika-kudyesu
maha-mdrakatesu ca

ratna-pradipa abhanti
lalana ratna-samyutah

svaccha—pure; sphatika—marble; kudyesu—on the walls; maha-
marakatesu—decorated with valuable emeralds; ca—and; ratna-pradipah—
jewel lamps; abhanti—shine; lalanah—women; ratna—with jewelry; sarnyutah
—decorated.

TRANSLATION

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.

PURPORT

It is understood from this statement that the opulences of household
life were exhibited in valuable jewels, ivory, first-class marble and furni-
ture 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 furni-
ture 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 money lenders and the house-
holders.

TEXT 18

watered Fafa we | TRUTzA: |
Ragen = =8|—|- eRMTAAT I?ll
