Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 59
Kārttikeya-Abhiṣecana: Mātṛgaṇa-Nāma Saṃkīrtana and Skanda’s Commission
सहख्बाहुर्विकटो व्याप्राक्ष: क्षितिकम्पन: । पुण्यनामा सुनामा च सुचक्र: प्रियदर्शन:
sahakṣabāhur vikaṭo vyāprākṣaḥ kṣitikampanaḥ | puṇyanāmā sunāmā ca sucakraḥ priyadarśanaḥ ||
வைசம்பாயனர் கூறினார்— “சஹக்ஷபாஹு, விகடன், வ்யாப்ராக்ஷன், க்ஷிதிகம்பனன் என்ற வீரர்கள் இருந்தனர்; மேலும் புண்யநாமா, சுநாமா; அதோடு சுசக்ரன், பிரியதர்ஷனனும் இருந்தனர்.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse functions as a memorial-style roll call: in a vast war, even powerful figures become brief entries in a list. It subtly underscores the Mahābhārata’s ethical horizon—glory in violence is transient, while the consequences of adharma-driven conflict are immense.
Vaiśampāyana enumerates named warriors (likely combatants aligned with one side in the Kurukṣetra war) as part of a larger description of forces and participants during events in Śalya Parva, Adhyāya 45.