Shloka 18

Adhyaya 21 — Kuvalayashva’s Descent to Patala and the Rescue of Madalasa

Sanskrit

रक्ततुङ्गनखीṃ श्यामां मृद्वीṃ ताम्रकराङ्घ्रिकाम् ।

करभोरुṃ सुदशनां नीलसूक्ष्मस्थिरालकाम् ॥

Transliteration

raktatuṅganakhīṃ śyāmāṃ mṛdvīṃ tāmrakarāṅghrikām / karabhoruṃ sudaśanāṃ nīlasūkṣmasthirālakām

Translation

ਉਸ ਦੇ ਨਖ ਲਾਲ ਅਤੇ ਉਭਰੇ ਹੋਏ ਸਨ; ਉਹ ਸ਼ਿਆਮ ਵਰਣ ਦੀ ਅਤੇ ਕੋਮਲ ਸੀ; ਹੱਥ ਪੈਰ ਤਾਂਬੇ ਵਰਗੇ ਲਾਲ; ਜੰਘਾਂ ਹਾਥੀ ਦੀ ਸੁੰਡ ਵਰਗੀਆਂ; ਦੰਦ ਸੁੰਦਰ; ਅਤੇ ਉਸ ਦੇ ਕਾਲੇ ਬਰੀਕ ਘੁੰਘਰਾਲੇ ਕੇਸ ਥਿਰ ਢੰਗ ਨਾਲ ਸਜੇ ਹੋਏ ਸਨ।

Word by Word

• rakta-tuṅga-nakhīm: with red, prominent nails
• rakta-tuṅga-nakhīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: rakta + tuṅga + nakhī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; 'having red and high/pointed nails'

• śyāmām: dark-complexioned
• śyāmām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śyāmā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• mṛdvīm: soft, tender
• mṛdvīm: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mṛdvī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• tāmra-kara-aṅghrikām: with coppery hands and feet
• tāmra-kara-aṅghrikām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: tāmra + kara + aṅghrikā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; द्वन्द्वः: करौ च अङ्घ्री च (hands and feet) — 'having coppery hands and feet'

• karabha-orum: with karabha-like thighs
• karabha-orum: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: karabha + ūru (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; 'having thighs like an elephant/camel (karabha)'

• su-daśanām: with beautiful teeth
• su-daśanām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su-daśanā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• nīla-sūkṣma-sthira-alakām: with dark, fine, steady curls
• nīla-sūkṣma-sthira-alakām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nīla + sūkṣma + sthira + alakā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण; 'having blue/black, fine, steady curls/locks'

Speakers

• Narrative (descriptive passage)

Verse Rasa

{ "primaryRasa": "shringara", "secondaryRasa": "adbhuta", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

Key Themes

• Poetic physiognomy
• Aesthetic idealization
• Sensory allure

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

The text demonstrates how detailed attention to form strengthens saṅkalpa (imaginative fixation). In dharma-oriented readings, such passages can serve as a mirror: the more the mind elaborates, the more it binds itself.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Narrative ornamentation within Itivṛtta/Ākhyāna; not one of the five cosmological-genealogical markers.

What is the esoteric significance?

Dark hue (śyāmā) and coppery limbs can hint at a liminal, otherworldly beauty—suggesting the possibility that the figure is not merely human, preparing for the later identification as a rasātala-devatā.