Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 70
Varuṇābhiṣeka–Agni-anveṣaṇa–Kaubera-tīrtha
Varuṇa’s Consecration; Search for Agni; Kaubera Sacred Site
देवता अपने हाथोंमें नाना प्रकारके अस्त्र-शस्त्र ले उन दैत्योंका पीछा करने लगे। यह सब देखकर तेज और बलसे सम्पन्न भगवान् स्कन्द कुपित हो उठे और शक्ति नामक भयानक अस्त्रका बारंबार प्रयोग करने लगे। उन्होंने उसमें अपना तेज स्थापित कर दिया था और वे उस समय घीसे प्रज्वलित हुई अग्निके समान प्रकाशित हो रहे थे ।।
abhyasyamāne śaktyastre skandena amit-tejasā | ulkā-jvālā mahārāja papāta vasudhā-tale ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The gods, their hands bearing many kinds of weapons, began to pursue those Daityas. Seeing this, the divine Skanda, possessed of blazing energy and strength, grew wrathful and repeatedly employed the dreadful weapon called Śakti. He had set his own tejas within it, and at that time he shone like a fire kindled with ghee. As Skanda of immeasurable splendor kept hurling the Śakti, its flame fell upon the earth like a meteor, O king.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the peril of unleashed power in war: when divine energy is driven by anger, it becomes catastrophic and indiscriminate, reminding rulers and warriors that force must be governed by restraint and dharmic purpose.
Vaiśampāyana describes Skanda repeatedly deploying the fearsome Śakti astra; its blazing energy, like a meteor-flame, descends to the earth, signaling an escalation in the battle through divine intervention and overwhelming weaponry.