Shloka 173
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
सुधावदातं रक्ताक्ष॑ं स्तब्धकर्ण मदोत्कटम् । आवेष्टितकरं घोर चतुर्दष्टं महागजम्
sudhāvadātaṃ raktākṣaṃ stabdhakarṇaṃ madotkaṭam | āveṣṭitakaraṃ ghoraṃ caturdaṣṭraṃ mahāgajam ||
Vāsudeva dit : «(Je vis) le puissant éléphant — blanc et luisant comme le nectar, aux yeux rouges, les oreilles dressées, terrible et violemment enivré par le musth ; la trompe enroulée, et pourvu de quatre défenses.»
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily functions as a vivid depiction that reinforces reverence for rightful authority and the gravity of dharmic proceedings: divine power is portrayed as majestic and formidable, reminding listeners that moral order (dharma) is upheld not merely by force but by awe-inspiring legitimacy.
Vāsudeva describes the appearance of a colossal, radiant, fearsome elephant—understood in context as Airāvata—characterized by red eyes, upright ears, a coiled trunk, and four tusks, marking the imposing arrival associated with Indra’s presence.