Shloka 2
Adhyāya 112: Ṛṣyaśṛṅga’s Description of an Exemplary Brahmacārī
Ascetic Presence and Vow-Practice
समृद्धरूप: सवितेव दीप्त: सुश्लक्षणकृष्णाक्षिरतीव गौर: । नील: प्रसन्नाश्न॒ जटा: सुगन्धा हिरण्यरज्जुग्रथिता: सुदीर्घा:,उसका रूप बड़ा सुन्दर था। वह सूर्यदेवकी भाँति उद्धासित हो रहा था। उसके नेत्र स्वच्छ, चिकने एवं कजरारे थे। वह बड़ा गोरा दिखाई देता था। उसकी जटाएँ बहुत लम्बी, साफ-सुथरी और नीले रंगकी थीं। उनसे बड़ी मधुर गन्ध फैल रही थी। वे सारी जटाएँ एक सुनहरी रस्सीसे गुँथी हुई थीं
samṛddharūpaḥ saviteva dīptaḥ suślakṣaṇakṛṣṇākṣir atīva gauraḥ | nīlaḥ prasannāś ca jaṭāḥ sugandhā hiraṇyarajjugrathitāḥ sudīrghāḥ ||
Ṛṣyaśṛṅga disse: “Era de forma esplêndida, radiante como o sol. Seus olhos eram límpidos e suaves, de cílios escuros; ele parecia de alvura extraordinária. Suas jatas eram muito longas, bem cuidadas e azuladas, espalhando um perfume doce, e todas estavam entrançadas com um cordão de ouro.”
ऋष्यशुड्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the traditional Mahābhārata motif that inner merit and disciplined life are mirrored by auspicious external signs—radiance, clarity of eyes, and the ascetic’s jaṭā—suggesting a person of purity, restraint, and dharmic stature.
The speaker (Ṛśyaśṛṅga) is describing a figure’s striking appearance in vivid, auspicious imagery—sun-like radiance, fair complexion, and long fragrant matted locks braided with a golden cord—setting the tone for recognizing the person as extraordinary.