Shloka 6
दमयन्त्याः कार्यनिश्चयः — Damayantī’s Crisis Plan and Vārṣṇeya’s Departure
तत्र सम पीना दृश्यन्ते बाहव: परिघोपमा: । आकारवर्णसुश्लक्ष्णा: पञज्चशीर्षा इवोरगा:,वहाँ भूमिपालोंकी (पाँच अँगुलियोंसे युक्त) परिघ-जैसी मोटी भुजाएँ आकार-प्रकार और रंगमें अत्यन्त सुन्दर तथा पाँच मस्तकवाले सर्पके समान दिखायी देती थीं
tatra samapīnā dṛśyante bāhavaḥ parighopamāḥ | ākāravarṇasuślakṣṇāḥ pañcaśīrṣā ivoragāḥ ||
Dort sah man die Arme der Könige—dick und gleichmäßig gerundet, wie eiserne Keulen. Glatt und schön an Gestalt und Farbe, erschienen sie wie fünfhaubige Schlangen und deuteten zugleich königliche Macht wie auch die lauernde Gefahr an, die kriegerischer Stärke innewohnt.
बृहदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses vivid similes to frame royal strength as both admirable and potentially perilous: arms like clubs signify capacity to protect and punish, while the five-hooded serpent image hints that power must be governed by restraint and dharma, otherwise it becomes dangerous.
Bṛhadaśva is describing a scene where kings are observed; their physical prowess is highlighted through poetic comparison—stout arms like weapons and smooth, striking appearance like multi-hooded serpents—emphasizing the formidable presence of warrior-rulers.