Shloka 18
The Account of Sukalā (Vena-Episode Continuation): Padmāvatī, Gobhila’s Deception, and the Threat of a Curse
यादृशी दृश्यते चेयं नारीणां प्रवरोत्तमा । अन्यापि ईदृशी नास्ति द्वितीया क्षितिमंडले
yādṛśī dṛśyate ceyaṃ nārīṇāṃ pravarottamā | anyāpi īdṛśī nāsti dvitīyā kṣitimaṃḍale
സ്ത്രീകളിൽ ശ്രേഷ്ഠയായി ഇവൾ എങ്ങനെ ദൃശ്യമാകുന്നുവോ, അത്തരമൊരു മറ്റൊരുത്തി ഇല്ല; ഈ ഭൂമണ്ഡലത്തിൽ അവൾക്ക് രണ്ടാമത്തെയില്ല।
Unspecified (context needed from surrounding verses to identify the dialogue speaker).
Concept: Exceptional qualities (guṇa) are rare and should be honored; true excellence is recognized by discernment, not envy.
Application: Cultivate appreciation without possessiveness; recognize uniqueness while maintaining humility and ethical restraint.
Primary Rasa: shringara
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: city
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"The maiden stands at the center of a gathered assembly, her posture composed and luminous, while the crowd forms a semicircle of astonished faces. The earth itself is symbolized beneath—mandala-like patterns and blooming lotuses—suggesting she is ‘without a second’ across the world.","primary_figures":["Padmāvatī","assembled onlookers (women and men, sages/courtiers)"],"setting":"A palace-garden threshold with carved pillars, flowering vines, and a lotus pond beyond.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["champagne gold","rose coral","jade green","pearl white","lapis blue"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Padmāvatī centered on a mandala floor, ornate pillars and lotus pond, onlookers in layered rows, gold leaf on jewelry and architectural borders, saturated reds/greens, stylized lotuses and auspicious motifs (śrīvatsa-like patterns) framing her singularity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant garden pavilion, delicate textiles and transparent veils, soft dawn light, refined facial features, subtle gestures of admiration, cool blues and greens with coral accents, lyrical naturalism in flowers and water.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: frontal central figure with large eyes, attendants in rhythmic arrangement, bold outlines, warm yellow-red background, green foliage bands, ornamental borders like temple murals emphasizing auspiciousness.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central figure framed by dense lotus creepers and floral borders, peacocks at corners, deep blue ground with gold highlights, symmetrical composition suggesting ‘no second on earth,’ intricate textile-like patterning."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["anklet-like soft chimes","breeze through leaves","low crowd hush","distant veena drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: चेयं = च + इयम्; प्रवरोत्तमा = प्रवर + उत्तमा; अन्यापि = अन्या + अपि; नास्ति = न + अस्ति; क्षितिमंडले = क्षिति + मण्डले (समास).
FAQs
It offers an emphatic praise: the woman being described is portrayed as peerless—without an equal anywhere on earth.
Not by name in this shloka alone. The identity must be determined from the surrounding verses and narrative context of Bhūmi-khaṇḍa, Adhyāya 49.
Literarily, it exemplifies classical Sanskrit hyperbolic praise (praśaṃsā). Ethically, it highlights the cultural value placed on recognizing exceptional virtues and qualities when they are encountered.