Shloka 32
Kaurava Court Hears of the Pāṇḍavas’ Forest Hardship (वैचित्रवीर्यवंशीयस्य राज्ञः करुणाविचारः)
रुक्मवेदिनिभास्तास्तु चन्द्रलेखा इवामला: । हुताशनार्चिप्रतिमा: सर्वास्तारा इवाद्भुता:,उनकी अंगकान्ति सुवर्णमयी वेदीके समान गौर थी, वे चन्द्रमाकी कलाके समान निर्मल थीं, अग्निकी लपटोंके समान प्रभा बिखेर रही थीं और तारिकाओंके समान अद्भुत सौन्दर्यसे प्रकाशित हो रही थीं
rukmavedinibhāstāstu candralekhā ivāmalāḥ | hutāśanārcippratimāḥ sarvāstārā ivādbhūtāḥ ||
Mārkaṇḍeya disse: “A radiância de seus corpos era clara como um altar de ouro; eram imaculadas como o crescente da lua. Espalhavam brilho como línguas de fogo e resplandeciam com beleza maravilhosa como as estrelas.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse elevates purity and inner excellence through luminous metaphors: what is truly admirable appears ‘spotless’ (amala) and ‘wondrous’ (adbhuta), suggesting that virtue and auspiciousness naturally manifest as clarity, radiance, and inspiring presence.
Mārkaṇḍeya is describing a group of extraordinary women/figures, emphasizing their supernatural beauty and brilliance by comparing them to a golden altar, the moon’s crescent, flames of fire, and the stars.