Shloka 4
Ghaṭotkaca’s Conveyance to Badarī and Entry into the Nara-Nārāyaṇa Āśrama (घटोत्कच-वाहनम्; नरनारायणाश्रम-प्रवेशः)
आलम्बमाना सहितावूरू गजकरोपमौ । पपात सहसा भूमौ वेपन्ती कदली यथा,हाथीकी सूँड़के समान चढ़ाव-उतारवाली परस्पर सटी हुई जाँघोंका सहारा ले केलेके वृक्षकी भाँति काँपती हुई वह सहसा पृथ्वीपर गिर पड़ी। सुन्दर अंगोंवाली द्रौपदीको टूटी हुई लताकी भाँति गिरती देख बलशाली नकुलने दौड़कर थाम लिया
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
ālambamānā sahitāv ūrū gajakaropamau |
papāta sahasā bhūmau vepantī kadalī yathā ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Supporting herself by her two thighs, pressed close together and rising and falling like an elephant’s trunk, she suddenly collapsed to the ground, trembling like a plantain tree.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights compassion and duty in companionship: when a person’s strength gives way, those nearby should respond with protective care. It also reminds the listener that dharma includes attentiveness to suffering, not merely adherence to rules.
A woman, overcome by weakness, tries to steady herself but suddenly falls to the ground, trembling. The narration uses vivid similes—elephant’s trunk and plantain tree—to convey unsteady movement and shaking collapse.