Mahabharata 9.45.22 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 45, Shloka 22
Kārttikeya-Abhiṣecana: Mātṛgaṇa-Nāma Saṃkīrtana and Skanda’s Commission
पुरा यथा महाराज वरुण वै जलेश्वरम् । तथाभ्यषिज्चद् भगवान् सर्वलोकपितामह:
vaiśampāyana uvāca |
purā yathā mahārāja varuṇaṃ vai jaleśvaram |
tathābhyasiñcad bhagavān sarvalokapitāmahaḥ |
rudravasubhirādityairaśvibhyāṃ ca vṛtaḥ prabhuḥ |
Vaiśampāyana berkata: “Wahai raja agung, sebagaimana pada zaman dahulu Varuṇa—penguasa segala air—ditahbiskan, demikian pula Sang Pitāmaha, datuk segala dunia, melaksanakan pentahbisan itu, dikelilingi para Rudra, para Vasu, para Āditya, dan kedua-dua Aśvin.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Authority is portrayed as dharmically grounded: true sovereignty is established through consecration and the recognition of higher cosmic principles, not merely through power. The presence of multiple deity-groups symbolizes broad, orderly sanction for rightful rule.
Vaiśampāyana recalls an ancient precedent: as Varuṇa was once consecrated as lord of waters, so the Grandsire (Brahmā) performs a consecration, attended by the Rudras, Vasus, Ādityas, and the Aśvin twins—indicating a major, divinely witnessed installation.
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