Shloka 22

Chapter 84: Brahmā’s Counsel on Tāraka, the Search for Agni, and the Genesis of Skanda

Kārttikeya

Devanagari script

महार्हमणिपत्रैश्न काउचनप्रभकेसरै: । नीलोत्पलविमिश्रैश्व सरोभिर्बहुपड्कजै:

Transliteration

mahārghamaṇipatraiś ca kāñcanaprabhakesaraiḥ | nīlotpalavimiśraiś ca sarobhir bahupaṅkajaiḥ ||

Translation

毗耶娑描绘那片土地因众多湖泊而更显华美。水中莲花繁盛，与青莲相间；其瓣若由珍宝所成，其蕊放出金色光辉——一幅吉祥而超尘的辉煌图景，使叙事笼罩在神圣与德性高扬的氛围之中。

Word by Word

• महार्ह-मणि-पत्रैः: with petals (made) of very precious gems
• महार्ह-मणि-पत्रैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महार्हमणिपत्र
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• काञ्चन-प्रभ-केसरैः: with stamens having golden radiance
• काञ्चन-प्रभ-केसरैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: काञ्चनप्रभकेसर
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• नील-उत्पल-विमिश्रैः: mixed with blue lotuses
• नील-उत्पल-विमिश्रैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नीलोत्पलविमिश्र
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• सरोभिः: by/with lakes
• सरोभिः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरस्
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

• बहु-पङ्कजैः: with many lotuses
• बहु-पङ्कजैः: Karana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहुपङ्कज
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Plural

Speaker

व्यास उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vyāsa
• saras (lakes)
• paṅkaja (lotuses)
• nīlotpala (blue water-lilies)
• maṇi (gems)
• kāñcana (gold)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse primarily uses auspicious natural imagery—gem-like lotus petals and gold-radiant filaments—to signal a sanctified, elevated setting. Such descriptions in the Mahābhārata often prepare the reader for discourse or events associated with merit (puṇya), purity, and reverence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vyāsa is painting a vivid scene of a beautiful region adorned with many lakes filled with lotuses and blue water-lilies, emphasizing their extraordinary, jewel-and-gold-like brilliance to convey an otherworldly grandeur.