Shloka 31

Devanagari script

बृहच्छालप्रतीकाश: प्रतप्तकनकप्रभ: । हरिपिड्रोज्ज्वलश्मश्रु: प्रमाणायामत: सम:,वे विशाल शालवृक्षके समान ऊँचे थे। उनकी कान्ति तपाये हुए सुवर्णके समान थी। उनके सारे अंग नीले और पीले रंगके थे, दाढ़ी-मूँछें अग्निज्वालाके समान पीतवर्णकी थीं तथा ऊँचाईके अनुसार ही उनकी मोटाई थी

Transliteration

bṛhacchālapratīkāśaḥ prataptakanakaprabhaḥ | haripiḍrojjvalaśmaśruḥ pramāṇāyāmataḥ samaḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: He appeared like a great śāla tree—tall and imposing. His radiance was like well-heated gold. His limbs showed hues of blue and yellow, and his beard and moustache shone with a tawny, flame-like brightness. In breadth and build he was proportionate to his height, a figure of formidable presence.

Word by Word

बृहच्छालप्रतीकाशःhaving the appearance of a tall śāla tree

प्रतप्तकनकप्रभःhaving the radiance of heated gold

हरिपिङ्गोज्ज्वलश्मश्रुःwhose beard/moustache is bright tawny-yellow

प्रमाणायामतःin proportion to (his) height/measure

समःwell-proportioned, even

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

śāla tree

gold

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the epic convention that outer form can signal inner capacity: proportion, radiance, and steadiness are used to indicate strength, readiness for responsibility, and the awe such a person inspires. Ethically, it frames how leaders and warriors are recognized in the narrative—by signs of discipline, vitality, and commanding presence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana is describing a formidable figure’s appearance—his height like a śāla tree, golden radiance, distinctive coloration, and bright tawny facial hair—emphasizing that he is powerfully built and proportionate, thereby preparing the listener to regard him as significant in the unfolding events.