Adhyāya 14: Sudēṣṇā Sends Sairandhrī to Kīcaka’s House (सुदेष्णा–सैरन्ध्री–कीचक संवादः)
हारालंकारयोग्यौ तु सतनौ चोभौ सुशोभनौ । सुजातौ सहितौ लक्ष्म्या पीनौ वृत्तौ निरन्तरौं
hārālaṅkārayogyau tu stanau cobhau suśobhanau | sujātau sahitau lakṣmyā pīnau vṛttau nirantarau ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “Ang kaniyang dalawang dibdib ay karapat-dapat palamutian ng kuwintas at mga alahas at lubhang marikit—maayos ang hubog, may mapalad na ningning, hitik, bilugan, at magkalapit.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse primarily serves a descriptive, courtly function rather than a direct moral injunction; it reflects the epic’s use of auspicious markers (lakṣmī) and idealized bodily features to signal fortune, status, and perceived excellence within the narrative world.
Vaiśampāyana is describing a woman’s physical features in ornate, evaluative language—emphasizing beauty, auspiciousness, and suitability for adornment—typical of epic characterization in scenes involving recognition, appraisal, or courtly observation.