Adhyaya 2 — The Wise Birds
स्रग्दामापूरितशिखं हरिचन्दनभूषितम् ।
केतकीगर्भपत्राभिर्दन्तैर्घोरतराननम् ॥
sragdāmāpūritaśikhaṃ haricandanabhūṣitam |
ketakīgarbhapatrābhir dantair ghoratarānanam ||
Jambulnya penuh dan dihiasi dengan kalungan bunga, serta disapukan cendana kuning; giginya seperti kelopak dalam bunga ketakī, dan wajahnya amat menggerunkan.
{ "primaryRasa": "raudra", "secondaryRasa": "bhayanaka", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }
The verse employs ornamentation (garlands, sandalwood) juxtaposed with grotesque features (ketakī-like teeth) to show that external adornment does not soften an inherently fearsome nature—an implicit warning against judging by appearances and a reminder that dharma evaluates conduct and intent rather than decoration.
This verse is best categorized under Ākhyāna (narrative description) rather than the core pañcalakṣaṇa items (sarga, pratisarga, vaṃśa, manvantara, vaṃśānucarita). It functions as scene-setting within a story segment.
The imagery suggests a liminal, deceptive power: fragrant sandalwood and garlands (sāttvika markers) overlay a terrifying mouth/teeth (ugra/rajas-tamas). Symbolically, it can indicate māyā—pleasant surfaces masking danger—preparing the listener for discernment (viveka) in later moral or cosmological instruction.