Shloka 18
यक्षोपाख्यान-प्रवेशः
Entry into the Yakṣa-Lake Episode
ययातिरिव चोदार: सोमवत् प्रियदर्शन: । रूपेणान्यतमोडश्रिभ्यां द्युमत्सेनसुतो बली,वह ययातिकी भाँति उदार और चन्द्रमाके समान प्रियदर्शन है। द्युमत्सेनका वह बलवान पुत्र रूपवान् तो इतना है मानो अश्विनीकुमारोंमेंसे ही एक हो
yayātir iva codāraḥ somavat priyadarśanaḥ | rūpeṇānyatamo 'śvibhyāṃ dyumatsenasuto balī ||
Nārada said: “Like King Yayāti, he is noble-hearted; like the moon, he is pleasing to behold. In beauty he seems as though he were one of the Aśvin twins themselves—this mighty son of Dyumatsena.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ethical ideal of leadership: true excellence combines inner nobility (udāratā) with outward grace that inspires trust and affection. By comparing the hero to Yayāti (royal magnanimity), the Moon (gentle radiance), and the Aśvins (divine excellence), Nārada frames virtue and strength as harmonized qualities.
Nārada is describing and praising Dyumatsena’s son, highlighting his noble character, pleasing appearance, and exceptional beauty and strength, using renowned exemplars (Yayāti, the Moon, and the Aśvin twins) to convey his stature.