Shloka 9
कुन्तीनिवर्तनप्रयत्नः तथा वननिवासप्रारम्भः
Attempt to Dissuade Kuntī; Commencement of Forest Residence
इयं पुनः पद्मदलायताक्षी मध्यं वय: किंचिदिव स्पृशन्ती । नीलोत्पलाभा सुरदेवतेव कृष्णा स्थिता मूर्तिमतीव लक्ष्मी:
iyaṃ punaḥ padma-dalāyatākṣī madhyaṃ vayaḥ kiñcid iva spṛśantī | nīlotpalābhā sura-devateva kṛṣṇā sthitā mūrtimatīva lakṣmīḥ ||
সঞ্জয়ে ক’লে—এই নাৰী পুনৰ পদ্মদলৰ দৰে বিস্তৃত নয়নবিশিষ্ট, যেন যৌৱনৰ মধ্যভাগক অলপতে স্পৰ্শ কৰিছে। নীলোৎপলৰ দৰে শ্যামকান্তিত দীপ্ত, দেৱতাসকলৰ দেৱীৰ দৰে ভাসে; কৃষ্ণা তাতে এনেদৰে থিয়—যেন সাক্ষাৎ লক্ষ্মী দেহধাৰিণী হৈ উপস্থিত।
संजय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the imagery of Lakṣmī and lotus-like beauty to signal auspiciousness joined to dignity. In the Ashramavāsika setting—where loss and withdrawal from power dominate—it subtly teaches that true ‘śrī’ (splendor/fortune) is not mere luxury but a moral radiance that should accompany dharma and steadfast character.
Sañjaya is describing Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) in elevated poetic terms—her eyes, complexion, and presence—presenting her as goddess-like and Lakṣmī embodied. The description functions to highlight her stature and the reverence she commands within the unfolding events of the parva.