Shloka 9
Adhyāya 112: Ṛṣyaśṛṅga’s Description of an Exemplary Brahmacārī
Ascetic Presence and Vow-Practice
सुसंयताश्चापि जटा विषक्ता दैधीकृता नातिसमा ललाटे । कर्णो च चित्रैरिव चक्रवाकै: समावृतौ तस्य सुरूपवद्धि:,उसकी जटा सटी हुई और अच्छी प्रकार बँधी हुई थी, जो ललाटप्रदेशमें दो भागोंमें विभक्त थी; किंतु बराबर नहीं थी। उसके कुण्डलमण्डित कान सुन्दर एवं विचित्र चक्रवाकोंसे घिरे हुए-से जान पड़ते थे
susaṁyatāś cāpi jaṭā viṣaktā daidhīkṛtā nātisamā lalāṭe | karṇau ca citrair iva cakravākaiḥ samāvṛtau tasya surūpavaddhiḥ ||
Ṛśyaśṛṅga descreve a aparência do asceta: seus cabelos em jaṭā estavam bem contidos e firmemente presos, repartidos na testa em duas partes, embora não de modo igual. Suas orelhas, adornadas com brincos, pareciam como se estivessem cercadas por maravilhosas aves cakravāka—tão marcante era sua bela forma. A passagem ressalta um motivo ético recorrente do Mahābhārata: a disciplina interior (saṁyama) reflete-se na compostura e na contenção exteriores.
ऋष्यशुड्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse links outward orderliness with inner discipline: the carefully restrained jaṭā and composed appearance suggest saṁyama (self-control), a valued dharmic quality in ascetic and ethical life.
Ṛśyaśṛṅga is describing an individual’s physical features in detail—especially the bound matted hair and ornamented ears—using a poetic simile (ears appearing encircled by cakravāka birds) to convey striking beauty and composed presence.