Shloka 39
Brahmā’s Discourse to Mohinī
Harivāsara, Desire, and the Satya-Test of Rukmāṅgada
धिक्तस्य मूढमनसः कुकवेः कवित्वं यः स्त्रीमुखं च शशिनं च समीकरोति । भ्रूक्षेपविस्मितकटाक्षनिरीक्षनिरीक्षितानि कोपप्रसादहसितानि कुतः शशांके ॥ ३९ ॥
dhiktasya mūḍhamanasaḥ kukaveḥ kavitvaṃ yaḥ strīmukhaṃ ca śaśinaṃ ca samīkaroti | bhrūkṣepavismitakaṭākṣanirīkṣanirīkṣitāni kopaprasādahasitāni kutaḥ śaśāṃke || 39 ||
धिक् तस्य मूढमनसः कुकवेः कवित्वम्, यः स्त्रीमुखं शशिनं च समीकरोति। हे शशाङ्क! क्व ते भ्रूक्षेप-विस्मित-कटाक्ष-निरीक्षणानि, कोप-प्रसाद-हसितानि च?
Narada (contextual attribution within Narada Purana dialogue tradition)
Vrata: none
Rasa: {"primary_rasa":"hasya","secondary_rasa":"raudra","emotional_journey":"Begins with scornful condemnation of clichéd poetry, then pivots into witty praise-by-contrast: the Moon lacks the living expressions found in a woman’s face."}
FAQs
It teaches viveka (discernment) in speech and praise: superficial comparisons are criticized, and one is urged to recognize true qualities rather than repeating conventional flattery.
Indirectly, it refines devotional expression by warning against careless, clichéd praise; bhakti is strengthened when words are truthful, attentive, and aligned with real attributes rather than empty metaphor.
A practical takeaway relates to Vyākaraṇa and Nirukta-informed precision in meaning: the verse models careful semantic discrimination and rhetorical correctness (upamā-doṣa avoidance) in Sanskrit expression.