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Shloka 396

वृत्ति-सत्सङ्ग-दान-धर्म

Livelihood, Virtuous Association, and Ethics of Giving

हस्वो5तिमात्र रक्ताक्षो हरिश्मश्रुर्विभीषण: । पुरुषप्रवर! उस समय उस आगसे एक नाटा-सा पुरुष उत्पन्न हुआ, जिसकी आँखें बहुत ही लाल थीं। दाढ़ी और मूँछके बाल भूरे रंगके थे। वह देखनेमें बड़ा डरावना जान पड़ता था

bhīṣma uvāca | hrasvo 'timātra-raktākṣo hariśmaśrur vibhīṣaṇaḥ |

Bhīṣma dijo: «¡Oh el más excelso de los hombres! En aquel momento, de ese fuego surgió un hombre de baja estatura, cuyos ojos eran intensamente rojos. Su barba y su bigote eran de un tono pardo-amarillento, y su aspecto era terrible de contemplar.»

ह्रस्वःshort (in stature)
ह्रस्वः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootह्रस्व
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
अतिमात्रexcessively, beyond measure
अतिमात्र:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअतिमात्र
रक्ताक्षःred-eyed
रक्ताक्षः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootरक्ताक्ष
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
हरिश्मश्रुःhaving tawny/brown beard (and moustache)
हरिश्मश्रुः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootहरिश्मश्रु
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
विभीषणःterrifying, dreadful
विभीषणः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootविभीषण
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular

भीष्म उवाच

B
Bhishma
P
purushapravara (addressed listener: foremost of men)
F
fire (agni)

Educational Q&A

The verse primarily functions as narrative description, using striking physical traits (red eyes, tawny beard, terrifying form) to signal an ominous or awe-inspiring manifestation. In the ethical frame of the Mahabharata, such depictions often underscore that actions and rites can yield formidable consequences, prompting vigilance and discernment in dharmic conduct.

Bhishma describes an event in which, from a fire, a short and frightening man appears. The figure is characterized by intensely red eyes and tawny facial hair, emphasizing the uncanny and fearsome nature of the manifestation.