Shloka 396

वृत्ति-सत्सङ्ग-दान-धर्म

Livelihood, Virtuous Association, and Ethics of Giving

Devanagari script

हस्वो5तिमात्र रक्ताक्षो हरिश्मश्रुर्विभीषण: । पुरुषप्रवर! उस समय उस आगसे एक नाटा-सा पुरुष उत्पन्न हुआ, जिसकी आँखें बहुत ही लाल थीं। दाढ़ी और मूँछके बाल भूरे रंगके थे। वह देखनेमें बड़ा डरावना जान पड़ता था

Transliteration

bhīṣma uvāca | hrasvo 'timātra-raktākṣo hariśmaśrur vibhīṣaṇaḥ |

Translation

Bhīṣma dit : «Ô le plus éminent des hommes ! En ce temps-là, de ce feu surgit un homme de petite taille, aux yeux d’un rouge excessif. Sa barbe et sa moustache étaient fauves, tirant sur le brun, et son aspect était terrible à voir.»

Word by Word

ह्रस्वःshort (in stature)

अतिमात्रexcessively, beyond measure

रक्ताक्षःred-eyed

हरिश्मश्रुःhaving tawny/brown beard (and moustache)

विभीषणःterrifying, dreadful

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bhishma

purushapravara (addressed listener: foremost of men)

fire (agni)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse primarily functions as narrative description, using striking physical traits (red eyes, tawny beard, terrifying form) to signal an ominous or awe-inspiring manifestation. In the ethical frame of the Mahabharata, such depictions often underscore that actions and rites can yield formidable consequences, prompting vigilance and discernment in dharmic conduct.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhishma describes an event in which, from a fire, a short and frightening man appears. The figure is characterized by intensely red eyes and tawny facial hair, emphasizing the uncanny and fearsome nature of the manifestation.