Shloka 20
नदीशैवलदिग्धाडुं हरिश्मश्रुजटाधरम् । लग्नै: शड्खनखेैगत्रि क्रोडैश्वित्रिरिवार्पितम्,उनका सारा शरीर नदीके सेवारसे लिपटा हुआ था। उनकी मूँछ-दाढ़ी और जटाएँ हरे रंगकी हो गयी थीं और उनके अंगोंमें शंख आदि जलचरोंके नख लगनेसे चित्र बन गया था। ऐसा जान पड़ता था मानो उनके अंगोंमें शूकरके विचित्र रोम लग गये हों
nadī-śaivala-digdhāṅgaṃ hari-śmaśru-jaṭā-dharam | lagnaiḥ śaṅkha-nakhair gātre kroḍa-citrair ivārpitam ||
Bhīṣma said: “His whole body was smeared with the river’s algae-slime. His moustache, beard, and matted locks had turned green; and his limbs, marked by the scratches of conches and other water-creatures, appeared as though adorned with variegated patterns—like the strange bristles of a boar.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how sustained austerity and endurance leave tangible marks on the body; it implicitly values steadfastness (tapas) and self-discipline, presenting external hardship as a sign of inner resolve rather than mere suffering.
Bhishma is describing a figure whose body has been long in or near a river: algae has coated him, his facial hair and matted locks have turned green, and scratches or impressions from shells and aquatic creatures have patterned his limbs, making him look as if covered with boar-like mottled bristles.