Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 1

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

Devanagari script

ऑपन--माज बछ। अं ऋाज - ब्राह्मी

Transliteration

vaiśampāyana uvāca | tato 'bhiṣeka-sambhārān sarvān sambhṛtya śāstrataḥ | bṛhaspatiḥ samiddhe 'gnau juhāvāgnim yathā-vidhi ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana said: Then, having gathered all the requisites for the consecration in accordance with the scriptural injunctions, Bṛhaspati performed the prescribed oblations into the well-kindled sacred fire, exactly as the rite demands. The scene underscores that even divine or heroic elevation is to be grounded in disciplined, lawful procedure rather than impulse—power is legitimized through dharma and correct ritual order.

Word by Word

• ततः: then, thereafter
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः

• अभिषेक-सम्भारान्: materials for consecration
• अभिषेक-सम्भारान्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभिषेकसम्भार
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• सर्वान्: all
• सर्वान्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Plural

• सम्भृत्य: having collected
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-भृ
• Form: Lyap (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral for gerund)

• शास्त्रतः: according to the scriptures
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: शास्त्रतः

• बृहस्पतिः: Brihaspati
• बृहस्पतिः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: बृहस्पति
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• समिद्धे: in (the) kindled
• समिद्धे: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सम्-इध्
• Form: Kta (past passive participle), Masculine/Neuter, Locative, Singular

• अग्नौ: in the fire
• अग्नौ: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• जुहाव: offered (as oblation), performed homa
• Type: Verb
• Root: हु
• Form: Lit (Perfect), Parasmaipada, Third, Singular

• अग्निम्: fire (Agni)
• अग्निम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• यथा-विधि: according to rule, duly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: यथाविधि

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Bṛhaspati
• Agni (sacrificial fire)
• Abhiṣeka (consecration rite)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Authority and elevation (such as consecration) are validated through dharma—acting in accordance with śāstra and proper procedure. The verse highlights disciplined adherence to prescribed rites as an ethical foundation for power and status.

What is happening in the narrative?

After assembling all the materials required for a consecration ceremony, Bṛhaspati kindles the sacrificial fire and performs the ritual oblations exactly according to rule, initiating the formal rite.