Mahabharata — Shalya Parva, Shloka 2236

Kārttikeya-Abhiṣecana: Mātṛgaṇa-Nāma Saṃkīrtana and Skanda’s Commission

Devanagari script

कश्यपश्च महातेजा ये चान्ये लोककीर्तिता: । महाराज! जैसे पूर्वकालमें जलके स्वामी वरुणका अभिषेक किया गया था

Transliteration

Kaśyapaś ca mahātejā ye cānye lokakīrtitāḥ | mahārāja! yathā pūrvakāle jalasya svāmī Varuṇasyābhiṣekaḥ kṛtaḥ āsīt, tathā sarvalokapitāmahaḥ bhagavān Brahmā, mahātejāḥ Kaśyapaḥ tathā anye viśvavikhyātā maharṣayaḥ Kārtikeyasyābhiṣekam akurvan |

Translation

Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: “O dakilang hari! Kung paanong noong unang panahon ay isinagawa ang abhiṣeka (pagpapabanal at pagtatalaga) kay Varuṇa, panginoon ng mga tubig, gayon din: si Brahmā, ang Lolo ng lahat ng daigdig, kasama ang maningning na si Kaśyapa at ang iba pang mga maharṣi na bantog sa buong sanlibutan, ang nagsagawa ng abhiṣeka kay Kārtikeya.”

Word by Word

• कश्यपः: Kashyapa
• कश्यपः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: कश्यप
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• महातेजाः: of great splendor
• महातेजाः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महातेजस्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• ये: who
• ये: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: यद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• अन्ये: others
• अन्ये: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• लोककीर्तिताः: renowned in the world
• लोककीर्तिताः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लोककीर्तित
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Vaiśampāyana
• Janamejaya
• Kaśyapa
• Varuṇa
• Brahmā
• Maharṣis (world-renowned sages)
• Kārtikeya (Skanda)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Authority and leadership are portrayed as legitimate when established through dharmic rites and affirmed by venerable witnesses (Brahmā and the great sages). The comparison with Varuṇa’s earlier consecration highlights continuity of sacred order and the ethical ideal that power should be sanctioned by righteousness and collective wisdom.

What is happening in the narrative?

Vaiśampāyana recounts that Kārtikeya was ceremonially installed (abhiṣeka) by Brahmā, Kaśyapa, and other famed sages, in a manner comparable to the ancient consecration of Varuṇa, lord of the waters—emphasizing Kārtikeya’s recognized status and mandate.