Some Things Looks Beautiful Only from the Afar? Teachings from Mahabharata.

दूरस्थाः पर्वताः रम्याः वेश्या च मुखमण्डने ।

युद्धस्य तु कथा रम्या त्रीणि रम्याणि दूरतः ॥

Mahabharata, Book 12 (Shanti Parva), Chapter 15 (Sarga 15), Verse 15.

Word to word meaning:

दूरस्थाः (dūrasthāḥ) = far-off, distant

पर्वताः (parvatāḥ) = mountains

रम्याः (ramyāḥ) = lovely, charming

वेश्या (veṣyā) = courtesan, prostitute

च (ca) = and

मुखमण्डने (mukha-maṇḍane) = makeup on the face, or smile

युद्धस्य (yuddhasya) = of war

तु (tu) = but

कथा (kathā) = story, tale

रम्या (ramyā) = lovely, charming

त्रीणि (triṇi) = three

रम्याणि (ramyaṇi) = lovely things, pleasant things

दूरतः (dūratḥ) = from afar, from a distance

Shloka meaning:

"Far-off mountains looks lovely, A courtesan's with makeup looks lovely, The story of war also looks lovely, Three are lovely only from distance."

Kannada meaning:

"ದೂರ ಪರ್ವತಗಳು ಸುಂದರವಾಗಿ ಕಾಣುತ್ತವೆ, ಶೃಂಗಾರ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡ ವೇಶ್ಯೆಯರು ಸುಂದರವಾಗಿ ಕಾಣುತ್ತಾರೆ, ಯುದ್ಧದ ಕಥೆಯು ಸುಂದರವೆನಿಸುತ್ತದೆ, ಮೂರು ದೂರದಿಂದ ಮಾತ್ರ ಸುಂದರವಾಗಿ ಕಾಣುತ್ತವೆ."

Hindi meaning:

"दूर दूर के पहाड़ प्यारे लगते हैं, शृंगार से सजी वैश्या प्यारी लगती है, युद्ध की कहानी प्यारी लगती है, दूर से ही तीन प्यारे लगते हैं।"

Discussion:

The poem suggests that the beauty of far-off mountains, a courtesan's smile, and the story of war is only appreciated when viewed from a distance. This implies that if we were to get too close to these things, their beauty might be diminished or even lost.

In this sense, the poem is highlighting the importance of maintaining a certain level of distance or detachment in order to appreciate beauty. This distance can be physical, emotional, or mental.

Here are some possible reasons why distance can enhance beauty:

1. Romanticization: When we view something from a distance, we tend to romanticize it. We project our desires, hopes, and dreams onto it, making it more appealing and beautiful.

2. Objectification: Distance allows us to objectify the thing we're looking at, making it easier to appreciate its aesthetic qualities without being overwhelmed by its imperfections or complexities.

3. Appreciation: When we're close to something, we might become too familiar with it and start taking it for granted. Distance allows us to reappreciate it and notice its beauty again.

4. Mystery: Distance creates an air of mystery, which can be a powerful catalyst for imagination and creativity. The unknown can be more alluring than the known.

In the context of human relationships, this could mean that being in a long-distance relationship or having a crush from afar can make the other person more attractive and lovely. Similarly, in art and literature, creating a sense of distance or detachment between the reader and the subject can enhance the impact of the work.

Ultimately, the poem suggests that beauty is not just about being close to something, but also about maintaining a certain level of detachment and appreciation from afar. By doing so, we can appreciate the beauty in things without becoming overwhelmed or desensitized by them.

Conclusion:

The Shloka encourages us to appreciate the beauty of things from a distance, rather than getting too close and losing sight of their allure. By doing so, we can cultivate a sense of wonder, awe, and appreciation for the world around us.