Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 513

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

Devanagari script

प्रददावग्निपुत्राय पार्वती शुभदर्शना । शुभदर्शना पार्वती देवीने अग्निपुत्रको तीन पार्षद दिये--उन्माद, शंकुकर्ण तथा पुष्पदन्त

Transliteration

pradadāv agniputrāya pārvatī śubhadarśanā |

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: The goddess Pārvatī, of auspicious and beautiful appearance, bestowed upon Agni’s son three of her own retainers—Unmāda, Śaṅkukarṇa, and Puṣpadanta—thus extending divine support and protection through loyal service rather than mere force.

Word by Word

• प्रददौ: gave
• प्रददौ: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्र-दा (दा)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• अग्निपुत्राय: to the son of Agni
• अग्निपुत्राय: Sampradana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्निपुत्र
• Form: Masculine, Dative, Singular

• पार्वती: Parvati
• पार्वती: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: पार्वती
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

• शुभदर्शना: of auspicious appearance
• शुभदर्शना: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शुभदर्शन
• Form: Feminine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Pārvatī
• Agni
• Agni’s son (Agniputra)
• Unmāda
• Śaṅkukarṇa
• Puṣpadanta

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Divine favor is often expressed through the gift of capable, loyal attendants and protective support; ethical strength is reinforced by trustworthy service and sanctioned guardianship rather than by unchecked power.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana narrates that Pārvatī grants Agni’s son three attendants from her own retinue—Unmāda, Śaṅkukarṇa, and Puṣpadanta—indicating a formal bestowal of support and protection.