Shloka 26
प्रावृट्-शरत्-वर्णनम् — Description of the Monsoon and Autumn; Sarasvatī in the Pāṇḍavas’ Exile
गुहाकारेण वक््त्रेण चतुर्दष्टेण राजता दीप्ताक्षेणातिताम्रेण लिहानं सृक्किणी मुहुः
vaiśampāyana uvāca | guhākāreṇa vaktreṇa caturdaṣṭreṇa rājatā dīptākṣeṇātitāmreṇa lihānaṃ sṛkkiṇī muhuḥ |
Vaiśampāyana said: With a cavern-like mouth, splendid with four fangs, and with blazing eyes, intensely red, it kept licking the corners of its mouth again and again. The dreadful serpent—like Kālāntaka and Yama in its power to terrify all beings—seemed to rebuke others by its hissing breath and lion-like roar, embodying the fear that arises when brute force is unrestrained by dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how sheer might and terrifying appearance—when not governed by dharma—become instruments of intimidation. By likening the creature to Yama and Kālāntaka, the text underscores the ethical contrast between rightful authority and fear-based domination.
Vaiśampāyana describes a monstrous serpent encountered in the forest: its cave-like mouth, four fangs, flaming red eyes, and repeated licking of its mouth-corners intensify the scene’s dread, as it seems to menace others with hissing breath and a roar.