Mahabharata 1.103.67 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 103, Shloka 67
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 103 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Gāndhārī Vivāha: Proposal, Consent, and the Vow
ते चापि बृहती श्यामे नीलकुज्चितमूर्थजे । रक्ततुज्ननखोपेते पीनश्रोणिपयोधरे
te cāpi bṛhatī śyāme nīlakuñcitamūrdhaje | raktatuṅganakhopete pīnaśroṇipayodhare ||
அவ்விரு மனைவியரும் முழு வளர்ச்சியடைந்த, கருநிறத்தவர்; அவர்களின் தலைமுடி நீலம்கலந்த கருப்பாகச் சுருண்டிருந்தது; நகங்கள் செம்மையாகவும் உயர்ந்தும் இருந்தன; இடுப்பும் மார்பும் நிறைந்தும் நன்கு வளர்ந்தும் இருந்தன.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse is primarily descriptive rather than prescriptive: it reflects epic-era literary conventions that mark adulthood and marital suitability through physical signs of maturity, offering insight into social and aesthetic norms rather than a direct ethical injunction.
Vaiśampāyana continues the narration by describing the two wives’ appearance and maturity—dark complexion, curly dark hair, reddish prominent nails, and full hips and breasts—situating them as grown women within the unfolding family narrative of the Ādi Parva.
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