Shloka 67

Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 103 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Gāndhārī Vivāha: Proposal, Consent, and the Vow

Devanagari script

ते चापि बृहती श्यामे नीलकुज्चितमूर्थजे । रक्ततुज्ननखोपेते पीनश्रोणिपयोधरे,उनकी वे दोनों पत्नियाँ सयानी थीं। उनकी अवस्था सोलह वर्षकी हो चुकी थी। उनके केश नीले और घुँघराले थे; हाथ-पैरोंके नख लाल और ऊँचे थे; नितम्ब और उरोज स्थूल और उभरे हुए थे

Transliteration

te cāpi bṛhatī śyāme nīlakuñcitamūrdhaje | raktatuṅganakhopete pīnaśroṇipayodhare ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana dit : Ces deux épouses aussi étaient parvenues à maturité et avaient le teint sombre. Leurs cheveux, bleu-noir, étaient bouclés ; leurs ongles, rougeâtres et saillants ; et leurs hanches ainsi que leurs seins, pleins et bien développés—marques de femmes arrivées à l’âge accompli.

Word by Word

तेthey (those)

चand

अपिalso

बृहतीtall/large (two women)

श्यामेdark-complexioned (two)

नील-कुञ्चित-मूर्धजेwith (their) hair being blue-black and curly

रक्त-तुन्न-नख-उपेतैःendowed with red and prominent nails

पीन-श्रोणि-पयोधरेhaving full hips and breasts

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

two wives (unnamed)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse is primarily descriptive rather than prescriptive: it reflects epic-era literary conventions that mark adulthood and marital suitability through physical signs of maturity, offering insight into social and aesthetic norms rather than a direct ethical injunction.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana continues the narration by describing the two wives’ appearance and maturity—dark complexion, curly dark hair, reddish prominent nails, and full hips and breasts—situating them as grown women within the unfolding family narrative of the Ādi Parva.