SB 1.11.13

SB 1.11.13

Devanagari

गोपुरद्वारमार्गेषु कृतकौतुकतोरणाम् । चित्रध्वजपताकाग्रैरन्त: प्रतिहतातपाम् ॥ १३ ॥

Verse text

gopura-dvāra-mārgeṣu kṛta-kautuka-toraṇām citra-dhvaja-patākāgrair antaḥ pratihatātapām

Synonyms

gopura the gateway of the city ; dvāra door ; mārgeṣu on different roads ; kṛta undertaken ; kautuka because of the festival ; toraṇām decorated arch ; citra painted ; dhvaja flags ; patākā agraiḥ — by the foremost signs ; antaḥ within ; pratihata checked ; ātapām sunshine .

Translation

The city gateway, the household doors and festooned arches along the roads were all nicely decorated with festive signs like plantain trees and mango leaves, all to welcome the Lord. Flags, garlands and painted signs and slogans all combined to shade the sunshine.

Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

The city appeared splendid with lakes surrounded by pleasure gardens and plantations, with groves of pious trees and creepers giving fruit and flowers of all seasons.

Purport

Signs of decoration in special festivals were also collected from the gifts of nature, such as the plantain trees, the mango trees, fruits and flowers. Mango trees, coconut palms and plantain trees are still accepted as auspicious signs. The flags mentioned above were all painted with the picture of either Garuḍa or Hanumān, the two great servitors of the Lord. For devotees, such paintings and decorations are still adored, and the servitor of the master is paid more respects for the satisfaction of the Lord.

Commentary (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

The city appeared splendid with lakes or lotus pools (padmākara) surrounded by forests for recreation giving flowers, and groves giving fruit, and with groves of pious creepers and trees giving flowers of all seasons.