Shloka 35
Duḥṣanta at Kaṇva-Āśrama; Śakuntalā’s Reception and Origin Prelude (दुःषन्तस्य कण्वाश्रमागमनम्)
विनाशनकश्ष क्रोधक्ष क्रोधहन्ता तथैव च | क्रोधशत्रुस्तथैवान्ये कालकेया इति श्रुता:,उनके नाम इस प्रकार हैं--विनाशन, क्रोध, क्रोधहन्ता तथा क्रोधशत्रु। कालकेय नामसे विख्यात दूसरे-दूसरे असुर भी कालाके ही पुत्र थे
Vaiśampāyana uvāca |
Vināśanakaś ca Krodhaś ca Krodhahantā tathaiva ca |
Krodhaśatrus tathaivānye Kālakeyā iti śrutāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “Vināśanaka, Krodha, Krodhahantā, and likewise Krodhaśatru—these, and other beings famed as the Kālakeyas, are heard of (in tradition).”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Though primarily a catalog of names, the verse implicitly underscores the ethical weight of krodha (anger): it is powerful enough to define identities—some embody it (Krodha), while others are framed as opposing it (Krodhahantā, Krodhaśatru), reflecting the Mahābhārata’s broader concern that anger drives ruin and conflict.
Vaiśampāyana is listing notable members associated with the Kālakeya asuras, giving specific names and indicating that there were others also known by the collective designation ‘Kālakeyas’ according to received tradition.