Shloka 101
Kārttikeya-Abhiṣecana: Mātṛgaṇa-Nāma Saṃkīrtana and Skanda’s Commission
सुविभक्तशरीराश्व दीप्तिमन्त: स्वलंकृता: । पिड़ाक्षा: शड्कुकर्णाश्न रक्तनासाश्न भारत
suvibhaktaśarīrāśvā dīptimantaḥ svalankṛtāḥ | piḍākṣāḥ śaṅkukarṇāś ca raktanāsāś ca bhārata ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは言った。「おお、バーラタよ。彼らの馬は均整のとれた体躯をもち、四肢の一つ一つがくっきりと美しく形づくられていた。精気に輝き、見事な馬具で飾られていた。眼は黄褐色、耳は円錐のように尖り、鼻孔は赤みを帯びていた。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the epic’s attention to outward signs of strength and readiness—well-formed, radiant, well-adorned horses as markers of royal power and martial preparedness. Ethically, it underscores how resources and discipline are marshaled for war, foreshadowing the gravity of choices made in battle.
Vaiśampāyana is describing the appearance and distinguishing features of the horses—symmetrical limbs, shining vigor, rich adornment, tawny eyes, conical ears, and reddish nostrils—within the Shalya Parva battle narrative context.