Mahabharata 9.45.72 — Shalya Parva, Adhyaya 45, Shloka 72
Kārttikeya-Abhiṣecana: Mātṛgaṇa-Nāma Saṃkīrtana and Skanda’s Commission
वत्सलो मधुवर्णश्ष कलशोदर एव च | धर्मदो मन्मथकर: सूचीवक्त्रश्न वीर्यवान्
vatsalo madhuvarṇaś ca kalaśodara eva ca | dharmado manmathakaraḥ sūcīvaktro ’tha vīryavān ||
ไวศัมปายนะกล่าวว่า “เขาเปี่ยมความเอ็นดู ผิวพรรณดุจน้ำผึ้ง ท้องป่องดุจหม้อ เป็นผู้ประทานธรรม เป็นผู้ปลุกเร้ากามารมณ์ ใบหน้าแหลมดุจเข็ม และมีกำลังยิ่งนัก”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models ethical evaluation through traits: affection and strength are praised, while “giver of dharma” highlights that true worth is measured by one’s support of righteous order, not merely by physical power or appearance.
Vaiśampāyana is describing a person through a compact list of physical and moral qualities—mixing outward features (complexion, body shape, facial form) with inner capacities (affection, dharmic generosity, vigor)—as part of the ongoing account in Śalya-parvan.
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