Shloka 15
Daṇḍotpatti-kathana (Origin and Function of Daṇḍa) — वसुहोम–मान्धातृ संवाद
नीलोत्पलदलश्यामश्नतुर्वष्ट श्वतुर्भुज: । अष्टपान्नैकनयन: शंकुकर्णोर्ध्वरीमवान्
nīlotpaladalaśyāmaś caturdaṃṣṭraś caturbhujaḥ | aṣṭapān naikanayanaḥ śaṅkukarṇordhvaromavān ||
Sinabi ni Bhishma: “Ang ningning ng kanyang katawan ay maitim na gaya ng talulot ng bughaw na lotus. May apat siyang pangil at apat na bisig; walong paa at maraming mata. Ang kanyang mga tainga ay gaya ng mga tulos, at ang mga balahibo sa katawan ay nakatindig paitaas.” Ipinahihiwatig ng paglalarawang ito ang isang anyong kahanga-hanga at nakapanghihilakbot—upang ipadama sa nakikinig ang nakalululang lakas at sindak na maaaring kaakibat ng mabibigat na kapangyarihan sa daigdig-moral ng epiko.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses vivid physical imagery to communicate moral and psychological impact: certain beings or forces are portrayed as terrifying and extraordinary to signal their power and the seriousness of the ethical situation being discussed in Bhishma’s instruction.
In Bhishma’s discourse in the Shanti Parva, he describes a formidable figure with striking, non-human features—dark like a blue lotus petal, with multiple limbs and eyes—emphasizing awe and dread as part of the didactic narrative.