Shloka 26

Varuṇābhiṣeka–Agni-anveṣaṇa–Kaubera-tīrtha

Varuṇa’s Consecration; Search for Agni; Kaubera Sacred Site

Devanagari script

खरकर्णी महाकर्णी भेरीस्वनमहास्वना । शड्खकुम्भश्रवाश्वैव भगदा च महाबला

Transliteration

kharakarṇī mahākarṇī bherīsvanamahāsvanā | śaṅkhakumbhaśravāśvaiva bhagadā ca mahābalā ||

Translation

ไวศัมปายนะกล่าวว่า “ยังมีกชราชผู้ทรงพละยิ่ง ได้แก่ ขรกรณี มหากรณี เภรีสฺวนมหาสฺวนา ศังขกุมภศฺรวา และภคทา ผู้มีกำลังมหาศาล”

Word by Word

खरकर्णीshe of harsh/rough ears (a named female warrior)

महाकर्णीshe of great ears (a named female warrior)

भेरीस्वनाshe whose sound is like a kettle-drum

महास्वनाshe of great sound/roar

शङ्खकुम्भश्रवाshe whose fame/sound is (like) a conch and a pot (a named female warrior)

अश्वाAśvā (proper name)

एवindeed/also

भगदाBhagadā (proper name)

चand

महाबलाshe of great strength (a named female warrior / epithet)

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśaṃpāyana

Kharakarṇī (elephant)

Mahākarṇī (elephant)

Bhērīsvanamahāsvanā (elephant)

Śaṅkhakumbhaśravāśvā (elephant)

Bhagadā (elephant)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse itself is primarily a catalogue of powerful war-elephants; its ethical resonance lies in how the epic portrays war’s vast machinery—names, sounds, and strength—reminding the reader that conflict is propelled not only by heroes but also by immense, often impersonal instruments of violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśaṃpāyana lists notable, mighty elephants present in the battle context of Śalya Parva, emphasizing their power and the thunderous soundscape of war suggested by names invoking drums and conches.