Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 1133

Kārttikeya-Abhiṣecana: Mātṛgaṇa-Nāma Saṃkīrtana and Skanda’s Commission

Devanagari script

उपतस्थुर्महात्मानं कार्तिकेयं यशस्विनम्‌ | वे अपने अंगोंमें छोटी-छोटी घंटियोंसे युक्त जालीदार वस्त्र पहने हुए थे। उनमें महान्‌ ओज भरा था। नरेश्वर! वे हर्षमें भरकर नृत्य कर रहे थे। ये तथा और भी बहुत-से महापार्षदगण यशस्वी महात्मा कार्तिकेयकी सेवामें उपस्थित हुए थे

Transliteration

upatasthur mahātmānaṁ kārtikeyaṁ yaśasvinam |

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Many attendants and great followers came forward to serve the illustrious, high-souled Kārtikeya. Filled with vigor and joy, they danced in exultation, presenting themselves in devoted attendance—an image of disciplined reverence offered to a worthy leader.

Word by Word

• उपतस्थुः: they attended upon / stood near (in service)
• उपतस्थुः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: उप-स्था (धातु: स्था)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd, Plural, Parasmaipada

• महात्मानम्: the great-souled one
• महात्मानम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: महात्मन्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• कार्तिकेयम्: Kārtikeya (Skanda)
• कार्तिकेयम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्तिकेय
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• यशस्विनम्: glorious, renowned
• यशस्विनम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यशस्विन्
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Kārtikeya (Skanda)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The passage highlights the ethic of reverent service (sevā) and disciplined loyalty toward a worthy, illustrious leader: joy and celebration are portrayed as expressions of devotion and collective alignment around noble authority.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana narrates that Kārtikeya is approached and attended by many followers/attendants; they come forward in high spirits and dance with exhilaration as they present themselves in his service.