Shloka 21
Varuṇābhiṣeka–Agni-anveṣaṇa–Kaubera-tīrtha
Varuṇa’s Consecration; Search for Agni; Kaubera Sacred Site
अमोघा चैव कौरव्य तथा लम्बपयोधरा । वेणुवीणाधरा चैव पिड्क्षी लोहमेखला
amoghā caiva kauravya tathā lambapayodharā | veṇuvīṇādharā caiva piḍkṣī lohamekhalā
வைசம்பாயனர் கூறினார்—கௌரவ்யா! அவள் அமோகமான (இலக்கைத் தவறாத)வள்; மேலும் பெரும் மார்புடையவள். அவள் வேணு தண்டமும் வீணையும் தாங்கினாள்; பிங்கல நிறமுடையவள்; இரும்புக் கச்சை அணிந்தவள்.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily functions as characterization: it highlights an ideal of effectiveness (amoghā—unfailing capability) alongside distinctive attributes and equipment. Ethically, it underscores how epic narrative often signals a figure’s power and role through concise, emblematic descriptors rather than explicit moral instruction.
Vaiśampāyana continues describing a particular female figure to Janamejaya, listing her notable qualities—unerring effectiveness and striking physical and symbolic features—such as carrying a veṇu and a vīṇā and wearing an iron girdle, to mark her presence and potency within the unfolding Shalya Parva account.