Shloka 173
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
सुधावदातं रक्ताक्ष॑ं स्तब्धकर्ण मदोत्कटम् । आवेष्टितकरं घोर चतुर्दष्टं महागजम्
sudhāvadātaṃ raktākṣaṃ stabdhakarṇaṃ madotkaṭam | āveṣṭitakaraṃ ghoraṃ caturdaṣṭraṃ mahāgajam ||
قال فاسوديفا: «(لقد أبصرتُ) الفيلَ الجبّار—أبيضَ ناصعًا لامعًا كالرحيق، أحمرَ العينين، منتصبَ الأذنين، مهيبًا مُرعبًا، هائجًا هياجًا عنيفًا بسُكْرِ المَسْت (musth)؛ خرطومُه ملتفّ، وله أربعةُ أنياب.»
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily functions as a vivid depiction that reinforces reverence for rightful authority and the gravity of dharmic proceedings: divine power is portrayed as majestic and formidable, reminding listeners that moral order (dharma) is upheld not merely by force but by awe-inspiring legitimacy.
Vāsudeva describes the appearance of a colossal, radiant, fearsome elephant—understood in context as Airāvata—characterized by red eyes, upright ears, a coiled trunk, and four tusks, marking the imposing arrival associated with Indra’s presence.