Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 81
Varuṇābhiṣeka–Agni-anveṣaṇa–Kaubera-tīrtha
Varuṇa’s Consecration; Search for Agni; Kaubera Sacred Site
एवं सुरद्विषोडनेकान् बलवानाततायिन: । जघान समरे वीर: कार्तिकेयो महाबल:
evaṃ suradviṣo 'nekān balavān ātatāyinaḥ | jaghāna samare vīraḥ kārtikeyo mahābalaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Thus, in the thick of battle, the mighty hero Kārtikeya—of great strength—slew many powerful aggressors who were enemies of the gods. The verse underscores the ethical framing of violence in war: force is directed against ātatāyins (criminal aggressors), presenting the act as protective rather than wanton.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames righteous force as the suppression of ātatāyins—dangerous aggressors—especially when they threaten cosmic and social order (here, as 'enemies of the gods'). It implies that violence in a dharmic context is justified when it protects others and restrains grave wrongdoing.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Kārtikeya, the mighty war-god, fought in battle and killed many powerful foes described as enemies of the devas and as ātatāyins (violent aggressors).
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