Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 72
Kārttikeya-Abhiṣecana: Mātṛgaṇa-Nāma Saṃkīrtana and Skanda’s Commission
वत्सलो मधुवर्णश्ष कलशोदर एव च | धर्मदो मन्मथकर: सूचीवक्त्रश्न वीर्यवान्
vatsalo madhuvarṇaś ca kalaśodara eva ca | dharmado manmathakaraḥ sūcīvaktro ’tha vīryavān ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “He was affectionate; honey-hued in complexion; pot-bellied; a giver of dharma (one who upholds and bestows righteous order); a stirrer of desire; needle-faced; and indeed possessed of great strength.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models ethical evaluation through traits: affection and strength are praised, while “giver of dharma” highlights that true worth is measured by one’s support of righteous order, not merely by physical power or appearance.
Vaiśampāyana is describing a person through a compact list of physical and moral qualities—mixing outward features (complexion, body shape, facial form) with inner capacities (affection, dharmic generosity, vigor)—as part of the ongoing account in Śalya-parvan.