Shloka 34

Adhyāya 325: Nārada in Śvetadvīpa—Stotra to the Nirguṇa Mahātman

Devanagari script

सूक्ष्मरक्ताम्बरधरास्तप्तकाज्चन भूषणा: । संलापोल्लापकुशला नृत्यगीतविशारदा:

Transliteration

sūkṣma-raktāmbara-dharās tapta-kāñcana-bhūṣaṇāḥ | saṃlāpollāpa-kuśalā nṛtya-gīta-viśāradāḥ ||

Translation

Bhīṣma dijo: «Vestían finas telas rojas y estaban adornadas con joyas de oro refulgente, como oro recién calentado. Diestras en la conversación pulida y en la réplica juguetona, eran consumadas en la danza y el canto: figuras de placer cultivado y de ostentación, emblema del señuelo mundano más que del empeño moral.»

Word by Word

• सूक्ष्म-रक्त-अम्बर-धराः: those wearing fine red garments
• सूक्ष्म-रक्त-अम्बर-धराः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: धर (धातु) → धर (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) / अम्बरधर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• तप्त-काञ्चन-भूषणाः: those adorned with heated/bright gold ornaments
• तप्त-काञ्चन-भूषणाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भूषण
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• संलाप-उल्लाप-कुशलाः: skilled in conversation and banter
• संलाप-उल्लाप-कुशलाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कुशल
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• नृत्य-गीत-विशारदाः: expert in dance and song
• नृत्य-गीत-विशारदाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: विशारद
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• fine red garments (raktāmbara)
• gold ornaments (kāñcana-bhūṣaṇa)
• dance (nṛtya)
• song (gīta)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the attractiveness and sophistication of worldly pleasures—fine dress, gold ornaments, charming speech, music and dance—often used in Śānti Parva discussions to contrast external refinement with inner discipline, urging discernment about what truly supports dharma and peace of mind.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma is describing a group characterized by luxurious appearance and cultured entertainment skills—delicate red clothing, gold adornments, and expertise in conversation, dance, and song—painting a vivid picture of an alluring, pleasure-oriented milieu.