Shloka 39
Varuṇābhiṣeka–Agni-anveṣaṇa–Kaubera-tīrtha
Varuṇa’s Consecration; Search for Agni; Kaubera Sacred Site
परपुष्टोपमा वाक्ये तथद्धर्या धनदोपमा: । शक्रवीर्योपमा युद्धे दीप्त्या वह्विसमास्तथा
parapuṣṭopamā vākye tathā dhairyā dhanadopamāḥ | śakravīryopamā yuddhe dīptyā vahnisamā tathā ||
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Pada tutur katanya, dia laksana burung kukuk—manis dan menyenangkan; pada keteguhan, dia laksana Kubera, kaya akan sumber dan azam. Dalam pertempuran dia menzahirkan keperwiraan seperti Indra, dan pada sinar kemuliaannya dia menyala seperti api.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ethical ideal: refined, pleasing speech should coexist with inner firmness, heroic capacity in crisis, and a radiant moral presence. It suggests that true excellence is multi-dimensional—gentle in expression yet strong and effective in action.
Vaiśampāyana is describing and praising a notable figure (implicitly a woman, as reflected in the Hindi gloss) through a chain of similes—cuckoo for sweetness of speech, Kubera for steadfast richness, Indra for battle prowess, and fire for brilliance—highlighting her exceptional qualities within the war-time context of the Śalya Parva.