Shloka 67
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 103 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Gāndhārī Vivāha: Proposal, Consent, and the Vow
ते चापि बृहती श्यामे नीलकुज्चितमूर्थजे । रक्ततुज्ननखोपेते पीनश्रोणिपयोधरे,उनकी वे दोनों पत्नियाँ सयानी थीं। उनकी अवस्था सोलह वर्षकी हो चुकी थी। उनके केश नीले और घुँघराले थे; हाथ-पैरोंके नख लाल और ऊँचे थे; नितम्ब और उरोज स्थूल और उभरे हुए थे
te cāpi bṛhatī śyāme nīlakuñcitamūrdhaje | raktatuṅganakhopete pīnaśroṇipayodhare ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: Auch jene beiden Gemahlinnen waren herangewachsen und dunkel von Teint. Ihr Haar war blau-schwarz und lockig; ihre Nägel rötlich und hervortretend; und Hüften wie Brüste waren voll und wohlentwickelt—Kennzeichen von Frauen, die die Reife erreicht hatten.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse is primarily descriptive rather than prescriptive: it reflects epic-era literary conventions that mark adulthood and marital suitability through physical signs of maturity, offering insight into social and aesthetic norms rather than a direct ethical injunction.
Vaiśampāyana continues the narration by describing the two wives’ appearance and maturity—dark complexion, curly dark hair, reddish prominent nails, and full hips and breasts—situating them as grown women within the unfolding family narrative of the Ādi Parva.