Shloka 45
Vasiṣṭhasya śokaḥ, Vipāśā–Śatadrū-nāmākaraṇam, Kalmāṣapādasya bhaya-prasaṅgaḥ (Ādi Parva 167)
श्यामा पद्मपलाशाक्षी नीलकुज्चितमूर्थजा । ताम्रतुज़्नखी सुभ्रूश्षारूपीनपयोधरा
śyāmā padmapalāśākṣī nīlakuñcitamūrdhajā | tāmratuṅganakhī subhrūḥ sā rūpiṇī payodharā ||
Sang brāhmaṇa berkata: “Kulitnya berwarna gelap. Matanya laksana kelopak teratai yang mekar sempurna. Rambutnya hitam dan keriting. Kukunya menonjol, berwarna merah tembaga. Alisnya terukir amat elok, dan buah dadanya penuh serta menawan.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse itself is primarily descriptive, but in the Mahābhārata such idealized physical portrayal often functions as a narrative trigger: it can illuminate how sensory attraction arises and thereby sets the stage for ethical testing—whether one remains governed by dharma and restraint or is led by fascination and desire.
A brāhmaṇa speaker is describing a woman’s appearance in detail—complexion, eyes, hair, nails, eyebrows, and breasts—using conventional Sanskrit poetic compounds. This kind of portrait typically introduces or intensifies a situation where the listener’s response to beauty becomes significant for the unfolding story.