Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 36
Kārttikeya-Abhiṣecana: Mātṛgaṇa-Nāma Saṃkīrtana and Skanda’s Commission
ददावनलपुत्राय वासव: परवीरहा । तौ हि शत्रून् महेन्द्रस्य जघ्नतु: समरे बहूनू
vaiśampāyana uvāca | dadāv analaputrāya vāsavaḥ paravīrahā | tau hi śatrūn mahendrasya jaghnatuḥ samare bahūn | rudravasubhir ādityair aśvibhyāṃ ca vṛtaḥ prabhuḥ |
Vaiśampāyana said: Indra, the slayer of hostile heroes, bestowed upon Skanda—the son of Agni—two attendants, Utkrośa and Pañcaka. Surrounded by the mighty hosts of the gods—Rudras, Vasus, Ādityas, and the twin Aśvins—the Lord stood ready for battle. Those two attendants, bearing the thunderbolt and the staff, struck down many of Indra’s enemies on the battlefield. The passage underscores how divine power is organized through delegated duty: victory is achieved not by solitary might alone, but by disciplined support aligned with a righteous cause in war.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power in dharmic conflict is shown as coordinated and duty-bound: leaders empower capable agents, and victory comes through disciplined support aligned with the maintenance of cosmic and social order.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Indra grants Skanda two attendants—Utkrośa and Pañcaka—who, armed with the vajra and the staff, help destroy many of Indra’s enemies in battle, while the gods (Rudras, Vasus, Ādityas, and Aśvins) stand assembled around the divine commander.
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