Shloka 10
Pradyumna’s Abduction, Mahā-māyā, and the Slaying of Śambara
सा तं पतिं पद्मदलायतेक्षणं प्रलम्बबाहुं नरलोकसुन्दरम् । सव्रीडहासोत्तभितभ्रुवेक्षती प्रीत्योपतस्थे रतिरङ्ग सौरतै: ॥ १० ॥
sā tam patiṁ padma-dalāyatekṣaṇaṁ pralamba-bāhuṁ nara-loka-sundaram sa-vrīḍa-hāsottabhita-bhruvekṣatī prītyopatasthe ratir aṅga saurataiḥ
Mein lieber König, mit einem schüchternen Lächeln und hochgezogenen Augenbrauen zeigte Māyāvatī verschiedene Gesten ehelicher Zuneigung, als sie sich liebevoll ihrem Ehemann näherte, dessen Augen breit wie die Blütenblätter eines Lotus waren, dessen Arme sehr lang waren und der der schönste aller Männer war.
Māyāvatī exhibited her conjugal attraction for Pradyumna even before revealing their true identities. Naturally this caused some confusion at first, as described in the following verse.
FAQs
Rati is Kāma-deva’s consort; in this chapter she recognizes Pradyumna as her eternal husband (Kāma reborn) and, after his victory, approaches him with modest affection in lawful conjugal love.
The verse portrays refined, affectionate marital intimacy—showing that love and beauty, when aligned with dharma and purity of heart, can be expressed as a sacred bond rather than mere sensuality.
Cultivate affection, respect, and modesty within committed relationships, seeing love as service and responsibility rather than exploitation—thus elevating household life with virtue and devotion.