Shloka 32
Adhyāya 14: Sudēṣṇā Sends Sairandhrī to Kīcaka’s House (सुदेष्णा–सैरन्ध्री–कीचक संवादः)
इदं हि रूप॑ प्रथमं तवानचे निरर्थक॑ं केवलमद्य भामिनि । अधार्यमाणा स्रगिवोत्तमा शुभा न शोभसे सुन्दरि शोभना सती
idaṃ hi rūpaṃ prathamaṃ tavānaghe nirarthakaṃ kevalam adya bhāmini | adhāryamāṇā srag ivottamā śubhā na śobhase sundari śobhanā satī ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O blameless lady, this foremost beauty of yours is, in today’s situation, becoming merely futile. O passionate one, like an excellent and auspicious garland that is not worn and therefore does not shine, so too you—though lovely and inherently radiant—do not appear in your full splendor when you are not embraced in the role of a cherished beloved.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses the metaphor of an unworn garland to argue that beauty and auspicious qualities reach their ‘proper’ fulfillment only when socially recognized and relationally ‘worn.’ Ethically, it reflects persuasive, desire-driven rhetoric that treats beauty as meant for enjoyment, inviting reflection on objectification versus autonomy.
A speaker addresses a woman directly, praising her beauty and suggesting that, given the present circumstances, it is being wasted—just as a fine garland does not shine if it is not worn. The tone is coaxing and seductive, aiming to move her toward accepting enjoyment and companionship.