Shloka 47
आदि पर्व, अध्याय 67 — गान्धर्वविवाह-समयः
Duḥṣanta–Śakuntalā: Gandharva Marriage and Succession Condition
कालेयानां तु ये पुत्रास्तेषामष्टी नराधिपा: । जज्ञिरे राजशार्दूल शार्टूलसमविक्रमा:,नृपश्रेष्ठत कालेय नामक दैत्योंके जो पुत्र थे, उनमेंसे आठ इस पृथ्वीपर सिंहके समान पराक्रमी राजा हुए
kāleyānāṁ tu ye putrās teṣām aṣṭī narādhipāḥ | jajñire rājaśārdūla śārdūlasamavikramāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana dit : Parmi les fils des Kāleyas, quatre-vingts devinrent rois sur la terre — ô tigre parmi les rois — et leur vaillance égalait celle des tigres.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that political power and extraordinary valor can arise from any lineage, even daitya clans; therefore, ethical worth (dharma) cannot be inferred merely from birth or strength, a recurring Mahābhārata theme when assessing rulers and their actions.
Vaiśampāyana continues a genealogical account, stating that among the Kāleya daityas’ sons, eighty became kings on earth, described as tiger-like in prowess—an amplification of their formidable presence in the world.