Shloka 173
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
सुधावदातं रक्ताक्ष॑ं स्तब्धकर्ण मदोत्कटम् । आवेष्टितकरं घोर चतुर्दष्टं महागजम्
sudhāvadātaṃ raktākṣaṃ stabdhakarṇaṃ madotkaṭam | āveṣṭitakaraṃ ghoraṃ caturdaṣṭraṃ mahāgajam ||
ഞാൻ ആ മഹാഗജത്തെ കണ്ടു—സുധയെപ്പോലെ ദീപ്തമായ വെളുപ്പ്, ചുവന്ന കണ്ണുകൾ, നിവർന്ന ചെവികൾ, മദത്തിൽ ഉന്മത്തം, ചുരുണ്ട തുമ്പിക്കൈ, ഭീകരരൂപം, നാലു ദന്തങ്ങളോടുകൂടിയത്.
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily functions as a vivid depiction that reinforces reverence for rightful authority and the gravity of dharmic proceedings: divine power is portrayed as majestic and formidable, reminding listeners that moral order (dharma) is upheld not merely by force but by awe-inspiring legitimacy.
Vāsudeva describes the appearance of a colossal, radiant, fearsome elephant—understood in context as Airāvata—characterized by red eyes, upright ears, a coiled trunk, and four tusks, marking the imposing arrival associated with Indra’s presence.