Shloka 6
दमयन्त्याः कार्यनिश्चयः — Damayantī’s Crisis Plan and Vārṣṇeya’s Departure
तत्र सम पीना दृश्यन्ते बाहव: परिघोपमा: । आकारवर्णसुश्लक्ष्णा: पञज्चशीर्षा इवोरगा:,वहाँ भूमिपालोंकी (पाँच अँगुलियोंसे युक्त) परिघ-जैसी मोटी भुजाएँ आकार-प्रकार और रंगमें अत्यन्त सुन्दर तथा पाँच मस्तकवाले सर्पके समान दिखायी देती थीं
tatra samapīnā dṛśyante bāhavaḥ parighopamāḥ | ākāravarṇasuślakṣṇāḥ pañcaśīrṣā ivoragāḥ ||
そこでは諸王の腕が見えた――太く、均しく丸みを帯び、鉄の棍棒のようであった。姿も肌の色も滑らかに麗しく、五つの頭巾をもつ蛇のごとく見え、王威の力と、武の強さに伴う潜む危うさとを同時に示していた。
बृहदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses vivid similes to frame royal strength as both admirable and potentially perilous: arms like clubs signify capacity to protect and punish, while the five-hooded serpent image hints that power must be governed by restraint and dharma, otherwise it becomes dangerous.
Bṛhadaśva is describing a scene where kings are observed; their physical prowess is highlighted through poetic comparison—stout arms like weapons and smooth, striking appearance like multi-hooded serpents—emphasizing the formidable presence of warrior-rulers.