TEXT 17
yam harmya-prsthe kvanad-anghri-sobham
vikridatim kanduka-vihvalaksim
visvavasur nyapatat svad vimanad
vilokya sammoha-vimudha-cetah
SYNONYMS
yamwhom; harmya-prstheon the roof of the palace; kvanat-anghri-sobhamwhose beauty was heightened by the tinkling ornaments on her feet; vikridatimplaying; kanduka-vihvala-aksimwith eyes bewildered, following her ball; visvavasuhVisvavasu; nyapatatfell down; svatfrom his own; vimanatfrom the airplane; vilokyaseeing; sammoha-vimudha-cetahwhose mind was stupefied.
TRANSLATION
I have heard that Visvavasu, the great Gandharva, his mind stupefied with infatuation, fell from his airplane after seeing your daughter playing with a ball on the roof of the palace, for she was indeed beautiful with her tinkling ankle bells and her eyes moving to and fro.
PURPORT
It is understood that not only at the present moment but in those days also there were skyscrapers. Herein we find the word harmya-prsthe. Harmya means a very big palatial building. Svad vimanat means from his own airplane. It is suggested that private airplanes or helicopters were also current in those days. The Gandharva Visvavasu, while flying in the sky, could see Devahuti playing ball on the roof of the palace. Ball playing was also current, but aristocratic girls would not play in a public place. Ball playing and other such pleasures were not meant for ordinary women and girls; only princesses like Devahuti could indulge in such sports. It is described here that she was seen from the flying airplane. This indicates that the palace was very high, otherwise how could one see her from an airplane? The vision was so distinct that the Gandharva Visvavasu was bewildered by her beauty and by hearing the sound of her ankle bangles, and being captivated by the sound and beauty, he fell down. Kardama Muni mentioned the incident as he had heard it.

Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/3/22/17

Previous: SB 3.22.16     Next: SB 3.22.18

If you Love Me Distribute My Books -- Srila Prabhupada