Shloka 3
धर्मस्य बहुद्वारत्वम् — Nārada’s Audience with Indra (Śānti-parva 340)
शुकपत्रनिभ: किंचित् किंचित्स्फटिकसंनिभ: । नीलाञठ्जनचयप्रख्यो जातरूपप्रभ: क्वचित्
śukapatranibhaḥ kiñcit kiñcit sphaṭikasaṃnibhaḥ | nīlāñjanacayaprakhyo jātarūpaprabhaḥ kvacit |
भीष्म ने कहा—वह कभी तोते के पंख-सा हरित, कभी स्फटिक-सा उज्ज्वल; कहीं कज्जल-राशि-सा श्याम और कहीं सुवर्ण-सा दीप्तिमान् दिखाई देता था।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the variability of appearance—one object can seem many-colored depending on where and how it is seen. In Śānti Parva’s ethical instruction, such imagery commonly supports reflection on discernment (viveka): do not judge reality solely by surface impressions, which can shift with context.
Bhīṣma is describing something observed as having multiple, changing hues—green, crystal-bright, collyrium-dark, and gold-radiant—using vivid similes. The description functions as part of a larger didactic passage, where sensory imagery is used to clarify a point being taught.