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Friday, June 06, 2008

#070, Moon is like a white conch

Valmiki is marvellous in describing nature. Let us see how he describes moon. Context: This is in Book 5, Sundara Kanda (Volume of Beauty). Hanuman went to Lanka in search of Sita. He entered the city after sunset. The moon was rising. Valmiki describes the moon as seen by Hanuman. Hanuman felt that the moon is rising as if to help him. Its moonlight with thousands of its rays is spreading in the world and glowing it like white conch. The moon is looking like a swan swimming in a lake. Thus, the similes used: conch, swan are very neat. By rising at that time, the glowing moon looked as if it was rising its hood to help Hanuman. This metaphor is superb.

5-2-57 and 58.
Candroo-api saachivyamivaasya kurvam
staaraagan`air madhyagatoo viraajan
jyotsnaa vitaanena vitatya lookam
Uttisht`hatee naika sahasra rashmihi.

Shan`khaprabham kshiiramrun`aalavarn`am
udgachchhamaanam vyavabhaasamaanam
dadarsha chandram sa haripraviiraha
plopluuyamaanam sarasi iva hamsam.

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