Mahabharata — Udyoga Parva, Shloka 15
Pātāla-varṇana (Nārada’s Description of the Netherworld) / पातालवर्णनम्
एतानि हृतराज्यानां दैतेयानां सम मातले | दीप्यमानानि दृश्यन्ते सर्वप्रहरणान्युत,मातले! जिनके राज्य छीन लिये गये हैं, उन दैत्योंके ये देदीप्यमान सम्पूर्ण आयुध दिखायी देते हैं
etāni hṛtarājyānāṃ daiteyānāṃ sama mātale | dīpyamānāni dṛśyante sarvapraharaṇāny uta ||
Kaṇva said: “O Mātali, behold these—these are the fully armed weapons of the Daityas whose kingdoms have been taken away. They appear blazing, as if aflame with their own power.”
कण्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the loss of rightful sovereignty can intensify hostility and readiness for violence: dispossessed powers still retain (and display) formidable means of harm. Ethically, it warns that injustice and seizure of kingdoms can fuel enduring conflict rather than peace.
Kaṇva points out to Mātali that the Daityas who have been deprived of their realms possess a complete array of weapons, visibly blazing—signaling their preparedness and the looming danger of confrontation.