Shloka 26
प्रावृट्-शरत्-वर्णनम् — Description of the Monsoon and Autumn; Sarasvatī in the Pāṇḍavas’ Exile
गुहाकारेण वक््त्रेण चतुर्दष्टेण राजता दीप्ताक्षेणातिताम्रेण लिहानं सृक्किणी मुहुः
vaiśampāyana uvāca | guhākāreṇa vaktreṇa caturdaṣṭreṇa rājatā dīptākṣeṇātitāmreṇa lihānaṃ sṛkkiṇī muhuḥ |
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。洞窟のような口に、四本の牙が燦然と輝き、燃え立つように真紅の眼をもって、そいつは幾度も口の端を舐めていた。あの恐るべき大蛇は——あらゆる生きものを震え上がらせる力において、カ―ラーンタカやヤマにも比すべき存在——その荒い吐息のシューという音と獅子の咆哮のごとき声で、他を叱責するかのように見え、ダルマに制されぬ蛮力が呼び起こす恐怖そのものを体現していた。
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how sheer might and terrifying appearance—when not governed by dharma—become instruments of intimidation. By likening the creature to Yama and Kālāntaka, the text underscores the ethical contrast between rightful authority and fear-based domination.
Vaiśampāyana describes a monstrous serpent encountered in the forest: its cave-like mouth, four fangs, flaming red eyes, and repeated licking of its mouth-corners intensify the scene’s dread, as it seems to menace others with hissing breath and a roar.