Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 84
Varuṇābhiṣeka–Agni-anveṣaṇa–Kaubera-tīrtha
Varuṇa’s Consecration; Search for Agni; Kaubera Sacred Site
उदारबुद्धि महासेनने उस दैत्यपर भी आक्रमण किया। तब वह कार्तिकेयके भयसे क्रौंच पर्वतकी शरणमें जा छिपा ।।
tataḥ krauñcaḥ mahāmanyuḥ krauñcanādanināditam | śaktyā bibheda bhagavān kārtikeyo 'gnidattayā ||
Then the Lord Kārtikeya, filled with mighty wrath, split open Mount Krauñca—echoing with the cries of krauñca-birds—using the spear (śakti) bestowed by Agni.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that power is ethically meaningful when aligned with the protection of cosmic and social order: even a mountain-like refuge cannot shield harmful forces when confronted by divinely sanctioned, duty-driven action.
Kārtikeya becomes greatly enraged and, wielding the śakti-spear granted by Agni, cleaves Mount Krauñca, which is described as reverberating with the calls of krauñca birds—an image of a formidable stronghold being forcibly opened.