Shloka 73

Varuṇābhiṣeka–Agni-anveṣaṇa–Kaubera-tīrtha

Varuṇa’s Consecration; Search for Agni; Kaubera Sacred Site

Devanagari script

ततः प्रीतो महासेनो जघान भगवान्‌ प्रभु: । दैत्येन्द्रे तारकं नाम महाबलपराक्रमम्‌

Transliteration

tataḥ prīto mahāseno jaghāna bhagavān prabhuḥ | daityendre tārakaṃ nāma mahābalaparākramam ||

Translation

Then the mighty war-god, pleased and sovereign in power, struck down the lord of the Dānavas—the demon-chief named Tāraka—renowned for immense strength and valor. The episode underscores a moral order in which overwhelming force, when aligned with rightful purpose, becomes the instrument for removing a destructive power.

Word by Word

• ततः: then/thereafter
• ततः: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः
• Form: Avyaya (ablatival adverb: 'from/thereafter')

• प्रीतः: pleased
• प्रीतः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रीत
• Form: Masculine, nominative, singular

• महासेनः: the great commander (Mahāsena)
• महासेनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: महासेन
• Form: Masculine, nominative, singular

• जघान: slew/struck down
• Type: Verb
• Root: हन्
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, singular, Parasmaipada

• भगवान्: the blessed one, the Lord
• भगवान्: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत्
• Form: Masculine, nominative, singular

• प्रभुः: the master/lord
• प्रभुः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु
• Form: Masculine, nominative, singular

• दैत्येन्द्रम्: the lord of the Daityas (demon-king)
• दैत्येन्द्रम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: दैत्येन्द्र
• Form: Masculine, accusative, singular

• तारकम्: Tāraka (name)
• तारकम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: तारक
• Form: Masculine, accusative, singular

• नाम: named/called
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नाम
• Form: Avyaya (indeclinable, used with proper names)

• महाबलपराक्रमम्: of great strength and valor
• महाबलपराक्रमम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाबलपराक्रम
• Form: Masculine, accusative, singular

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• वैशम्पायन (Vaiśampāyana)
• महासेन (Mahāsena—Skanda/Kārttikeya)
• दैत्येन्द्र (Daityendra—lord of the Daityas)
• तारक (Tāraka)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse presents the restoration of moral and cosmic order: when destructive power (symbolized by the demon-chief) threatens stability, rightful authority—here embodied by Mahāsena—acts decisively. Strength is ethically framed as legitimate when used to remove adharma and protect the larger good.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana narrates that Mahāsena (Skanda/Kārttikeya), pleased and empowered, strikes down the Daitya-lord named Tāraka, who is described as extraordinarily strong and valorous.