Shloka 3
Adhyāya 112: Ṛṣyaśṛṅga’s Description of an Exemplary Brahmacārī
Ascetic Presence and Vow-Practice
आश्चर्यरूपा पुनरस्यथ कण्ठे विभ्राजते विद्युदिवान्तरिक्षे | दौ चास्य पिण्डावधरेण कण्ठा- दजातरोमौ सुमनोहरौ च,उसके गलेमें एक ऐसा आश्चर्यजनक आभूषण (कण्ठा) था, जो आकाशमें बिजलीकी भाँति चमक रहा था। उसके गलेसे नीचे (वक्ष:स्थलपर) दो मांसपिण्ड थे, जिनपर रोएँ नहीं उगे थे। वे अत्यन्त मनोहर जान पड़ते थे
āścaryarūpā punar asyatha kaṇṭhe vibhrājate vidyud ivāntarikṣe | dvau cāsya piṇḍāv adhareṇa kaṇṭhād ajātaromau sumanoharau ca ||
Ṛṣyaśṛṅga menyambung: “Di lehernya bersinar seutas kalung yang menakjubkan, berkilat seperti kilat di angkasa. Dan di bawah kerongkongnya ada dua bonjolan daging, licin tanpa bulu, tampak amat menawan.”
ऋष्यशुड्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily serves a narrative function: it highlights extraordinary bodily marks and radiant ornaments as signs of unusual nature or auspicious distinction. Ethically, it reflects the epic’s tendency to read external signs as indicators that invite careful attention and discernment rather than casual judgment.
R̥śyaśṛṅga is describing a person’s striking appearance—especially a lightning-like neck-ornament and two smooth, hairless protuberances below the throat—emphasizing how remarkable and captivating these features are.