Shloka 21
गङ्गादर्शनम् तथा गुहसमागमः
Vision of the Gaṅgā and Meeting with Guha
क्वचित्कुमुदषण्डैश्च कुड्मलैरुपशोभिताम्।नानापुष्परजोध्वस्तां समदामिव च क्वचित्।।2.50.21।।
kvacit kumuda-ṣaṇḍaiś ca kuḍmalair upaśobhitām |
nānā-puṣpa-rajo-dhvastāṃ samadām iva ca kvacit ||2.50.21||
कहीं वह कुमुद-समूहों और अधखिले कली-कलिकाओं से और भी सुशोभित थी; कहीं अनेक पुष्पों के पराग से धूसर होकर वह मानो मृदु मद से युक्त-सी प्रतीत होती थी।
Here she is decked with hosts of water-lilies and half-blown flowers while elsewhere she looks intoxicated with the pollen fallen from various flowers.
FAQs
Dharma as balance: the imagery of ‘intoxication’ is metaphorical, reminding that delight in beauty should remain within self-control and clarity.
The poet paints the river’s floral richness and the sensory atmosphere along its course.
Temperance (dama): enjoying beauty without losing discernment.