Shloka 2
Nakula’s Reception in Matsya: Appointment as Aśvasūta
Horse-master
बाहू च दीर्घान् प्रविकीर्य मूर्थजान् महाभुजो वारणतुल्यविक्रम: । गतेन भूमिं प्रतिकम्पयंस्तदा विराटमासाद्य सभासमीपत:,अपने बड़े-बड़े केशोंकी लटोंको खोलकर हाथोंतक फैलाये वह महाबाहु पुरुष उस समय हाथीके समान मस्तानी चालसे चलता और पग-पगपर मानो पृथ्वीको कँपाता हुआ राजसभाके समीप राजा विराटके पास आकर खड़ा हुआ
bāhū ca dīrghān pravikīrya mūrdhajān mahābhujo vāraṇatulyavikramaḥ | gatena bhūmiṃ pratikampayaṃs tadā virāṭam āsādya sabhāsamīpataḥ ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Dejando caer sus largos brazos y sacudiendo la cabellera, aquel hombre de poderosos brazos—cuyo brío igualaba al de un elefante—avanzó con un andar fanfarrón, como de embriagado. A cada paso parecía hacer temblar la tierra; y al llegar a las inmediaciones del salón real, se detuvo ante el rey Virāṭa.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward demeanor—gait, posture, and controlled intimidation—can be used strategically in a royal court. It implicitly contrasts mere display of power with the disciplined, purposeful use of presence to achieve an objective without immediate violence.
A powerful man approaches King Virāṭa near the royal assembly hall. He loosens his hair, lets his long arms hang, and walks with an elephant-like, swaggering stride that seems to shake the ground, then stands before the king—setting up a charged court encounter.