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 ||
उनके साठ दाँत और आठ दाढ़ें थीं; उनका स्वर मेघसमूह के समान गम्भीर था। उनका मुख सुन्दर, ललाट चौड़ा, भौंहें बाँकी, ठोढ़ी और नासिका सुगठित थीं—जिससे उनमें एक अलौकिक तेज झलकता था।
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.