Shloka 112
Kārttikeya-Abhiṣecana: Mātṛgaṇa-Nāma Saṃkīrtana and Skanda’s Commission
महाबला महावेगा महापारिषदास्तथा | अभिषेक कुमारस्य दृष्टवा हृष्टा रणप्रिया:
mahābalā mahāvegā mahāpāriṣadās tathā | abhiṣekaṃ kumārasya dṛṣṭvā hṛṣṭā raṇapriyāḥ ||
Vaishampayana said: Mighty in strength, swift in onset, and eminent among the assembled chiefs as well, they—fond of battle—rejoiced upon witnessing the prince’s consecration. The scene underscores how royal legitimacy and public recognition can inflame martial enthusiasm, binding political order to the energies of war.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the social power of royal consecration: public recognition of a prince’s status can unify elites and energize them toward action. Ethically, it hints at the double-edged nature of legitimacy—capable of stabilizing order, yet also capable of intensifying warlike impulses when the audience is raṇapriya (battle-inclined).
A group of eminent, powerful, and swift warriors/council-members witness the prince’s abhiṣeka (consecration/installation). Seeing this ceremonial affirmation, they become delighted and उत्साहित, especially because they are inclined toward battle.