Shloka 2
Instruction on All Dharma
in the context of Rāma’s Aśvamedha
अगस्त्य उवाच । गंगाजलसमानेन वर्णेन वपुषा शुभः । कर्णे श्यामो मुखे रक्तः पीतः पुच्छे सुलक्षितः
agastya uvāca | gaṃgājalasamānena varṇena vapuṣā śubhaḥ | karṇe śyāmo mukhe raktaḥ pītaḥ pucche sulakṣitaḥ
অগস্ত্য বললেন—তার দেহরূপ মঙ্গলময়; বর্ণ গঙ্গাজলের মতো। কানে শ্যাম, মুখে রক্তবর্ণ, আর লেজে পীত—এই শুভ লক্ষণে সে সুস্পষ্টভাবে চিহ্নিত।
Agastya
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
Type: river
Sandhi Resolution Notes: gaṃgājalasamānena = gaṃgā-jala-samānena; su-lakṣitaḥ is a prefixed adjective (su + lakṣitaḥ).
FAQs
The speaker is the sage Agastya, describing an auspicious figure identified by specific colors/marks on different body parts.
Gaṅgā is a paradigmatic symbol of purity and auspiciousness; comparing complexion to Gaṅgā water conveys sanctity, clarity, and благоприятность (auspicious quality) in a culturally resonant way.
The verse highlights discernment through “lakṣaṇas” (recognizable signs): spiritual narratives often teach careful recognition of auspicious qualities rather than being misled by superficial appearance alone.