Shloka 13
Damayantī’s Proposal of a Witnessed Choice; Nala Reports to the Lokapālas
Adhyāya 53
अतीव रूपसम्पन्ना श्रीरिवायतलोचना । न देवेषु न यक्षेषु तादूगू रूपवती क्वचित्,वह लक्ष्मीके समान अत्यन्त सुन्दर रूपसे सुशोभित थी। उसके नेत्र विशाल थे। देवताओं और यक्षोंमें भी वैसी सुन्दरी कन्या कहीं देखनेमें नहीं आती थी
atīva rūpasampannā śrīr ivāyatalocanā | na deveṣu na yakṣeṣu tādṛg rūpavatī kvacit ||
Bṛhadaśva nói: “Nàng được phú cho vẻ đẹp phi thường, như chính Śrī (Lakṣmī), đôi mắt dài và rộng. Không nơi nào—dù giữa chư thiên hay giữa loài Yakṣa—lại có một thiếu nữ đẹp đến thế.”
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the power of perception and comparison in epic narration: extraordinary beauty is framed through sacred imagery (Śrī/Lakṣmī) and by placing it beyond even divine and semi-divine standards, underscoring how exceptional qualities can inspire awe and shape human desire and choices.
Bṛhadaśva is describing a maiden of unparalleled beauty, likening her to Lakṣmī and stating that no such beauty is found even among gods or Yakṣas, thereby elevating her status and setting the tone for the ensuing events connected with her.