Shloka 30
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 98 — Paraśurāma’s kṣatriya suppression; Dīrghatamas, Bali, Sudēṣṇā, and the birth of Aṅga
सा च दृष्टवैव राजानं विचरन्तं महाद्युतिम् स्नेहादागतसौहार्दा नातृप्पत विलासिनी,वह भी वहाँ विचरते हुए महातेजस्वी राजा शान्तनुको देखते ही मुग्ध हो गयी। स्नेहवश उसके हृदयमें सौहार्दका उदय हो आया। वह विलासिनी राजाको देखते-देखते तृप्त नहीं होती थी
sā ca dṛṣṭvaiva rājānaṃ vicarantaṃ mahādyutim | snehād āgata-sauhārdā nātṛpyata vilāsinī ||
Y ella, la doncella graciosa, en el mismo instante en que vio al rey Śantanu moverse con tan gran esplendor, quedó cautivada. Por afecto, nació en su corazón una cálida amistad; y al seguir mirándolo, no lograba saciarse—su mirada no quería apartarse.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how powerful sensory perception and affection can be: a single sight can awaken attachment and longing. In the Mahābhārata’s ethical frame, such attraction becomes a turning point that can lead to major life-choices, testing restraint and dharma.
The narrator describes a woman who, upon seeing the radiant king Śantanu moving about, becomes enamored. Affection and cordial feeling arise in her, and she cannot feel satiated by looking at him—signaling the beginning of a consequential relationship.