Shloka 37
Nāga-āyatana-darśana-pratīkṣā — The Brāhmaṇa’s Request and Waiting on the Gomatī
षष्टिदन्तावष्टदंष्टी मेघौघसदृशस्वनौ । स्वास्यौ पृथुललाटौ च सुभ्रू सुहनुनासिकौ
ṣaṣṭidantāv aṣṭadaṃṣṭī meghaughasadṛśasvanau | svāsyau pṛthulalāṭau ca subhrū suhanunāsikau ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : «Ils avaient soixante dents et huit crocs saillants ; leurs voix grondaient, profondes, comme une masse de nuages de pluie. Leurs visages étaient beaux, leurs fronts larges, leurs sourcils harmonieusement arqués, et leur menton comme leur nez bien formés—si bien qu’une splendeur extraordinaire émanait d’eux».
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse supports a Shanti Parva theme: the ideal ruler or exemplary person is recognized not merely by power but by auspicious signs and dignified presence—symbolizing inner excellence, self-mastery, and fitness for dharmic leadership.
Vaiśampāyana is describing the extraordinary physical features and imposing, auspicious appearance of the subjects under discussion, emphasizing their beauty and the thunder-like depth of their voices as part of a larger portrayal of ideal qualities.