Shloka 31
Varuṇābhiṣeka–Agni-anveṣaṇa–Kaubera-tīrtha
Varuṇa’s Consecration; Search for Agni; Kaubera Sacred Site
दीर्घनख्यो दीर्घदन्त्यो दीर्घतुण्ड्यश्व भारत
dīrghanakhyo dīrghadantyo dīrghatuṇḍyaś ca bhārata | bharatanandana! etāsāṁ nakhā dantāś ca mukhāni ca sarvāṇi vipulāni | sarvāḥ sabalā madhurā yuvāvasthā-sampannā vastrābharaṇa-vibhūṣitāḥ | mahātmya-yuktāḥ | kāmarūpiṇyaś ca ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Wahai Bhārata, wahai kegembiraan keturunan Bhārata! Wanita-wanita ini berkuku panjang, bergigi panjang, dan bermulut panjang. Kuku, gigi, dan wajah mereka semuanya besar. Kesemuanya kuat, elok, penuh kematangan usia muda, serta dihiasi pakaian dan perhiasan. Mereka memiliki kuasa dan kemuliaan yang besar, dan dapat mengambil apa jua rupa menurut kehendak mereka.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the presence of extraordinary, potentially dangerous beings whose beauty and adornment coexist with unsettling features and supernatural power. Ethically, it cautions that outward charm may conceal formidable capability, and that discernment is necessary amid deceptive appearances.
Vaiśampāyana describes a group of women with striking physical traits and great splendor, emphasizing their strength and their ability to change form at will—marking them as supernatural figures within the war-time narrative of the Śalya Parva.