SAUNDARANANDA 1.19: Another Colour

suvarNa-stambha-varShmaaNaH
siMh'-oraskaa mahaa-bhujaaH
paatraM shabdasya mahataH
shriyaaM ca vinayasya ca

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1.19
Tall they were like golden columns,

Lion-chested, strong-armed,

Worthy of their great name

And insignia and upbringing.

COMMENT:
This might be where we truly come in.

Asceticism was a starting point in ancient India, but asceticism was never our original face. Neither the dismal grey of the thundercloud that hung over the ascetic's ashram, nor the gaudy cosmetic pigments with which the Indian sadhu traditionally painted himself, are our original colour.

I don't know about stardust, but originally, we are golden. (And we've got to get ourselves back to the garden.)

Because gold does not easily tarnish, it naturally retains its lustre. So comparing the princes to golden columns suggests that they were healthy naturally, originally -- without any trace of the grey ash or gaudy pigments of the Indian holy man.



EH Johnston:
Tall they were like golden columns, lionchested, strong in the arm, distinguished for their great fame, majesty and good conduct.

Linda Covill:
They were tall like golden columns, lion-chested and strong-armed, potential vessels of wide fame, majesty and self-regulation.

VOCABULARY:
suvarNa-stambha-varShmaaNaH (nom. pl.): being tall like golden columns
suvarNa: golden
stambha: m. a post , pillar , column
varShman: n. height , greatness , extent ; n. measure ; n. body ; n. a handsome form or auspicious appearance

siMh'-oraskaaH (nom. pl.): lion-chested
siMha: lion
uraska ifc. = uras, chest, breast

mahaa-bhujaaH (nom. pl.): strong-armed
mahat: mfn. great (in space , time , quantity or degree)
bhuja: m. the arm, the hand

paatram (acc. sg.) n. a drinking-vessel , goblet , bowl , cup , dish , pot , plate , utensil &c , any vessel or receptacle ; (met.) a capable or competent person , an adept in ; master of (gen.) , any one worthy of or fit for or abounding in (gen. loc. , inf. or comp.)
shabdasya (gen. sg.): m. sound , noise , voice , tone ; a name , appellation , title
mahataH (gen. sg. m.): great

shriyaam (gen. pl.): f. light , lustre , radiance , splendour , glory ; prosperity , welfare , good fortune , success , auspiciousness , wealth , treasure , riches; high rank , power , might , majesty , royal dignity ; symbol or insignia of royalty
ca: and
vinayasya (gen. sg.): m. leading , guidance , training (esp. moral training) , education , discipline , control ; m. good breeding , propriety of conduct , decency , modesty , mildness ;
ca: and