Shloka 6
Sukanyā’s Encounter with the Aśvins and Cyavana’s Rejuvenation (लोमश–सुकन्या–च्यवनोपाख्यानम्)
भ्राजसे5स्मिन् वने भीरु विद्युत्सौदामनी यथा | न देवेष्वपि तुल्यां हि त्वया पश्याव भाविनि,“मेरा नाम इस जगतमें सुकन्या प्रसिद्ध है। मैं सम्पूर्ण हृदयसे सदा अपने पतिदेवके प्रति निष्ठा रखती हूँ।” यह सुनकर अश्विनीकुमारोंने पुनः हँसते हुए कहा--“कल्याणि! तुम्हारे पिताने इस अत्यन्त बूढ़े पुरुषके साथ तुम्हारा विवाह कैसे कर दिया? भीरु! इस वनमें तुम विद्युतकी भाँति प्रकाशित हो रही हो। भामिनि! देवताओंके यहाँ भी तुम-जैसी सुन्दरीको हम नहीं देख पाते हैं
bhrājase 'smin vane bhīru vidyut-saudāmanī yathā | na deveṣv api tulyāṃ hi tvayā paśyāva bhāmini ||
The speaker praises the young woman’s radiance and beauty: “O timid one, in this forest you shine like a streak of lightning. O lovely lady, even among the gods we do not see anyone equal to you.” In the surrounding episode, this admiration is set against her steadfast marital fidelity, highlighting the ethical tension between outward allure and inner dharma (wifely devotion).
लोगश उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a common Mahābhārata ethical contrast: external beauty can attract praise and temptation, but true excellence is grounded in dharma—here, the woman’s steadfast loyalty to her husband despite circumstances.
The Aśvin twins address Sukanyā in the forest, admiring her lightning-like radiance and declaring that even among the gods they do not see her equal—part of their interaction with her in the Sukanyā–Cyavana episode.