Shloka 39
Brahmā’s Discourse to Mohinī
Harivāsara, Desire, and the Satya-Test of Rukmāṅgada
धिक्तस्य मूढमनसः कुकवेः कवित्वं यः स्त्रीमुखं च शशिनं च समीकरोति । भ्रूक्षेपविस्मितकटाक्षनिरीक्षनिरीक्षितानि कोपप्रसादहसितानि कुतः शशांके ॥ ३९ ॥
dhiktasya mūḍhamanasaḥ kukaveḥ kavitvaṃ yaḥ strīmukhaṃ ca śaśinaṃ ca samīkaroti | bhrūkṣepavismitakaṭākṣanirīkṣanirīkṣitāni kopaprasādahasitāni kutaḥ śaśāṃke || 39 ||
Shame on the “poetry” of that dull-witted bad poet who dares to equate a woman’s face with the Moon. O Moon, where in you are those things—those glances watched again and again, those eyebrow-gestures, those astonished sidelong looks, those moods of anger, favor, and laughter?
Narada (contextual attribution within Narada Purana dialogue tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: hasya
Secondary Rasa: raudra
FAQs
It teaches viveka (discernment) in speech and praise: superficial comparisons are criticized, and one is urged to recognize true qualities rather than repeating conventional flattery.
Indirectly, it refines devotional expression by warning against careless, clichéd praise; bhakti is strengthened when words are truthful, attentive, and aligned with real attributes rather than empty metaphor.
A practical takeaway relates to Vyākaraṇa and Nirukta-informed precision in meaning: the verse models careful semantic discrimination and rhetorical correctness (upamā-doṣa avoidance) in Sanskrit expression.