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Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 61

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

ज्वालाजिह्ठवः करालाक्ष: शितिकेशो जटी हरि: । परिश्रुत: कोकनद: कृष्णकेशो जटाधर:

jvālājihṭhavaḥ karālākṣaḥ śitikēśo jaṭī hariḥ | pariśrutaḥ kokanadaḥ kṛṣṇakeśo jaṭādharaḥ ||

ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。「彼は恐るべく目を奪う数多の異名で知られていた——『炎の舌をもつ者』『恐るべき眼の者』『白髪の者』『結髪の者』『黄褐色(獅子のごとき)』『広く名高き者』『蓮華のごとき者』『黒髪の者』、そして『結髪を戴く者』。」

ज्वालाजिह्ठवःhaving a flame-like tongue
ज्वालाजिह्ठवः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootज्वाला-जिह्व
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
करालाक्षःhaving terrible eyes
करालाक्षः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootकराल-अक्षि
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
शितिकेशःhaving gray/whitish hair
शितिकेशः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootशिति-केश
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
जटीone with matted locks (ascetic)
जटी:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootजटिन्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
हरिःHari (a name of Vishnu/Shiva, the tawny one)
हरिः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootहरि
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
परिश्रुतःwell-renowned, widely heard of
परिश्रुतः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootपरि-श्रुत (ppp of √श्रु)
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
कोकनदःKokanada (a name; also 'red lotus')
कोकनदः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootकोकनद
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
कृष्णकेशःhaving black hair
कृष्णकेशः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootकृष्ण-केश
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
जटाधरःbearing matted locks
जटाधरः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootजटा-धर
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular

वैशम्पायन उवाच

V
Vaiśampāyana

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights how epic narration uses epithets to convey character and moral atmosphere: reputation and perceived power can sway courage, fear, and choices on the battlefield, reminding readers that ethical conduct in war is shaped not only by weapons but also by fame, intimidation, and self-mastery.

Vaiśampāyana is describing a formidable figure through a sequence of vivid epithets—focusing on appearance (eyes, hair, matted locks) and renown—heightening the dramatic tension typical of Shalya Parva’s war setting.