Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 73
Kārttikeya-Abhiṣecana: Mātṛgaṇa-Nāma Saṃkīrtana and Skanda’s Commission
श्वेतवक्त्र: सुवक्त्रश्न चारुवक्त्रश्न पाण्डुर: । दण्डबाहु: सुबाहुश्चव रज: कोकिलकस्तथा
śvetavaktraḥ suvaktroś ca cāruvaktraś ca pāṇḍuraḥ | daṇḍabāhuḥ subāhuś ca rajaḥ kokilakas tathā ||
ヴァイシャンパーヤナは語った。「シュヴェータヴァクトラ、スヴァクトラ、チャールヴァクトラ、パーンドゥラ、ダンダバーフ、スバーフ、ラジャハ、そしてコーキラカと名づけられた馬たちがいた。」
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that heroic action in war is supported by concrete means—trained horses, chariots, and disciplined preparation—reflecting the Mahābhārata’s ethical realism: dharma in battle is not abstract, but enacted through responsible stewardship of one’s resources and companions.
Vaiśampāyana lists the names of several steeds (horses), likely as part of a description of a warrior’s chariot-team or military array during the events of Śalya Parva.