Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 3

Kārttikeya-Abhiṣecana: Mātṛgaṇa-Nāma Saṃkīrtana and Skanda’s Commission

Devanagari script

सर्वमड्रलसम्भारैरविधिमन्त्रपुरस्कृतम्‌ । आभिषेचनिकं द्रव्यं गृहीत्वा देवतागणा:

Transliteration

sarvamaṅgalasambhārair avidhimantrapuraskṛtam | ābhiṣecanikaṁ dravyaṁ gṛhītvā devatāgaṇāḥ ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana dit : Les cohortes des dieux, emportant les matières requises pour la consécration — pourvues de tous les apprêts fastes et précédées des mantras appropriés — se préparèrent à accomplir le rite selon l’ordre prescrit. La scène souligne que, même sous la pression de la guerre, la légitimité et l’autorité morale s’affermissent par une procédure sacrée correctement exécutée.

Word by Word

• सर्वम्: all, the whole
• सर्वम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• अद्रलसम्भारैः: with (various) preparations/materials (of a kind called 'adrala')
• अद्रलसम्भारैः: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अद्रलसम्भार
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Plural

• अविधि: improper procedure, irregular rite
• अविधि: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: अविधि
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• मन्त्र: mantra, sacred formula
• मन्त्र: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्त्र
• Form: Masculine, Instrumental, Singular

• पुरस्कृतम्: put in front; preceded by; having as a preface
• पुरस्कृतम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पुरस्√कृ (पुरस्कृत)
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• आभिषेचनिकम्: pertaining to consecration/anointing
• आभिषेचनिकम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: आभिषेचनिक
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• द्रव्यम्: substance, material (requisite)
• द्रव्यम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: द्रव्य
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• गृहीत्वा: having taken
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ग्रह
• Form: Absolutive (Gerund)

• देवतागणाः: the hosts of gods
• देवतागणाः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: देवतागण
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• devatāgaṇāḥ (hosts of gods)
• ābhiṣecanika dravya (consecration materials)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights that rightful authority and auspicious outcomes are grounded in dharmic order: sacred acts should be undertaken with proper procedure (vidhi) and sanctified speech (mantra), not merely with power or haste.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana narrates that the assembled gods take the necessary consecration (abhiṣeka) materials, fully equipped with auspicious requisites and proper mantras, indicating preparation for a formal anointing/ritual act that confers legitimacy.