Shloka 40
Vasiṣṭhasya śokaḥ, Vipāśā–Śatadrū-nāmākaraṇam, Kalmāṣapādasya bhaya-prasaṅgaḥ (Ādi Parva 167)
ज्वालावर्णो घोररूप: किरीटी वर्म चोत्तमम् | बिभ्रत् सखड्ग: सशरो धनुष्मान् विनदन् मुहुः,उसके अंगोंकी कान्ति अग्निकी ज्वालाके समान उद्धासित हो रही थी। उसका रूप भय उत्पन्न करनेवाला था। उसके माथेपर किरीट सुशोभित था। उसने अंगोंमें उत्तम कवच धारण कर रखा था। हाथोंमें खड्ग, बाण और धनुष धारण किये वह बार-बार गर्जना कर रहा था
jvālāvarṇo ghorarūpaḥ kirīṭī varma cottamam | bibhrat sa-khaḍgaḥ sa-śaraḥ dhanuṣmān vinadan muhuḥ ||
Wika ng brāhmaṇa: “Nagniningas siya na tila kulay ng naglalagablab na apoy. Nakapanghihilakbot ang anyo niya. Kumikinang ang korona sa kanyang ulo, at suot niya ang pinakamainam na baluti sa kanyang mga sangkap. Taglay ang tabak, mga palaso, at pana, paulit-ulit siyang umuungal nang malakas.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how outward signs of power—radiance, armor, and weapons—can inspire fear and command attention. Ethically, it cautions that martial splendor is a force that must be governed by dharma; strength without restraint becomes terror, while strength under discipline becomes protection.
A brāhmaṇa narrator describes a formidable warrior-like figure: flame-hued, terrifying in appearance, crowned, armored, and fully armed with sword, arrows, and bow, repeatedly roaring—an image meant to convey imminent danger and overwhelming martial presence.