Shloka 26
प्रावृट्-शरत्-वर्णनम् — Description of the Monsoon and Autumn; Sarasvatī in the Pāṇḍavas’ Exile
गुहाकारेण वक््त्रेण चतुर्दष्टेण राजता दीप्ताक्षेणातिताम्रेण लिहानं सृक्किणी मुहुः
vaiśampāyana uvāca | guhākāreṇa vaktreṇa caturdaṣṭreṇa rājatā dīptākṣeṇātitāmreṇa lihānaṃ sṛkkiṇī muhuḥ |
Vaiśampāyana dijo: Con una boca como caverna, espléndida con cuatro colmillos, y con ojos llameantes, de un rojo intenso, lamía una y otra vez las comisuras de su boca. Aquella serpiente terrible—semejante a Kālāntaka y a Yama en su poder de aterrorizar a todos los seres—parecía reprender a los demás con el silbido de su aliento y un rugido como de león, encarnando el miedo que nace cuando la fuerza bruta no está contenida por el dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how sheer might and terrifying appearance—when not governed by dharma—become instruments of intimidation. By likening the creature to Yama and Kālāntaka, the text underscores the ethical contrast between rightful authority and fear-based domination.
Vaiśampāyana describes a monstrous serpent encountered in the forest: its cave-like mouth, four fangs, flaming red eyes, and repeated licking of its mouth-corners intensify the scene’s dread, as it seems to menace others with hissing breath and a roar.