Shloka 15
Daṇḍotpatti-kathana (Origin and Function of Daṇḍa) — वसुहोम–मान्धातृ संवाद
नीलोत्पलदलश्यामश्नतुर्वष्ट श्वतुर्भुज: । अष्टपान्नैकनयन: शंकुकर्णोर्ध्वरीमवान्
nīlotpaladalaśyāmaś caturdaṃṣṭraś caturbhujaḥ | aṣṭapān naikanayanaḥ śaṅkukarṇordhvaromavān ||
ビーシュマは言った。「その身の光は青蓮の花弁のように暗く、四つの牙と四つの腕を持つ。八つの足、数多の眼。耳は杭のごとく、体毛は逆立っている。」この描写は、畏怖を呼ぶ恐るべき相を際立たせ、叙事詩の道徳的宇宙において、巨大な力に伴う圧倒的な威勢と恐怖を聞き手に悟らせるためのものである。
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses vivid physical imagery to communicate moral and psychological impact: certain beings or forces are portrayed as terrifying and extraordinary to signal their power and the seriousness of the ethical situation being discussed in Bhishma’s instruction.
In Bhishma’s discourse in the Shanti Parva, he describes a formidable figure with striking, non-human features—dark like a blue lotus petal, with multiple limbs and eyes—emphasizing awe and dread as part of the didactic narrative.