Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 79
Varuṇābhiṣeka–Agni-anveṣaṇa–Kaubera-tīrtha
Varuṇa’s Consecration; Search for Agni; Kaubera Sacred Site
दग्धा: सहस्रशो दैत्या नादै: स्कन्दस्य चापरे | पताकयावधूताश्न हता: केचित् सुरद्विष:
Vaiśampāyana uvāca | dagdhāḥ sahasraśo daityā nādaiḥ skandasya cāpare | patākayā vadhūtāś ca hatāḥ kecit suradviṣaḥ ||
ಆ ಶಕ್ತ್ಯಸ್ತ್ರದ ಅಗ್ನಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸಾವಿರಾರು ದೈತ್ಯರು ದಗ್ಧವಾಗಿ ಭಸ್ಮರಾದರು. ಕೆಲವರು ಸ್ಕಂದನ ಸಿಂಹನಾದವನ್ನೇ ಕೇಳಿ ಪ್ರಾಣಬಿಟ್ಟರು; ಇನ್ನೂ ಕೆಲ ದೇವದ್ವೇಷಿಗಳು ಅವನ ಧ್ವಜದ ಅಲುಗಾಟಕ್ಕೆ ನಡುಗಿ ಬಿದ್ದು ಸತ್ತರು.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how adharma-driven hostility toward the divine order (suradviṣaḥ) collapses before righteous, divinely sanctioned force: not only weapons but also presence, sound, and symbols (like the banner) can become instruments of moral and cosmic retribution.
Vaiśampāyana describes Skanda’s overwhelming impact in battle: thousands of Dāityas are burned, some die from fear induced by his lion-like roars, and others are slain as his banner’s sweeping motion shakes and routs them.