Shloka 29
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 98 — Paraśurāma’s kṣatriya suppression; Dīrghatamas, Bali, Sudēṣṇā, and the birth of Aṅga
तां दृष्टवा हृष्टरोमा भूद् विस्मितो रूपसम्पदा । पिबन्निव च नेत्राभ्यां नातृष्पत नराधिप:,उसे देखते ही राजा शान्तनुके शरीरमें रोमांच हो आया, वे उसकी रूप-सम्पत्तिसे आश्चर्यवकित हो उठे और दोनों नेत्रोंद्वारा उसकी सौन्दर्य-सुधाका पान करते हुए-से तृप्त नहीं होते थे
tāṃ dṛṣṭvā hṛṣṭaromā bhūd vismito rūpasampadā | pibann iva ca netrābhyāṃ nātṛṣpat narādhipaḥ ||
Seeing her, the king’s body thrilled with rapture; astonished by the wealth of her beauty, the lord of men could not be satisfied—as though he were drinking her loveliness with his very eyes.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the compelling force of sensory attraction: beauty perceived through the eyes can generate intense delight and attachment, which may influence judgment and lead to consequential vows or decisions—an ethical reminder to balance desire with discernment (viveka) and dharma.
King Śāntanu sees a remarkable woman on the riverbank (Gaṅgā in context). Struck with wonder at her beauty, he experiences physical thrill and cannot feel satiated, as though he is ‘drinking’ her beauty with his eyes—marking the beginning of his fascination and ensuing relationship.