आदि पर्व, अध्याय 67 — गान्धर्वविवाह-समयः
Duḥṣanta–Śakuntalā: Gandharva Marriage and Succession Condition
कालेयानां तु ये पुत्रास्तेषामष्टी नराधिपा: । जज्ञिरे राजशार्दूल शार्टूलसमविक्रमा:,नृपश्रेष्ठत कालेय नामक दैत्योंके जो पुत्र थे, उनमेंसे आठ इस पृथ्वीपर सिंहके समान पराक्रमी राजा हुए
kāleyānāṁ tu ye putrās teṣām aṣṭī narādhipāḥ | jajñire rājaśārdūla śārdūlasamavikramāḥ ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Mula sa mga anak na lalaki ng mga Kāleya, walumpu ang naging mga hari sa lupa—o tigre sa mga hari—na ang tapang ay kasingbangis ng tigre.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights that political power and extraordinary valor can arise from any lineage, even daitya clans; therefore, ethical worth (dharma) cannot be inferred merely from birth or strength, a recurring Mahābhārata theme when assessing rulers and their actions.
Vaiśampāyana continues a genealogical account, stating that among the Kāleya daityas’ sons, eighty became kings on earth, described as tiger-like in prowess—an amplification of their formidable presence in the world.