Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 106
The Account of Kārtavīrya’s Protective Kavaca
Kārtavīrya-kavaca-vṛttānta
माहिष्मतीपतिर्योधा महाकीर्तिर्महाभुजः । सुकुमारो महावीरो मारीघ्नो मदिरेक्षणः ॥ १०६ ॥
māhiṣmatīpatiryodhā mahākīrtirmahābhujaḥ | sukumāro mahāvīro mārīghno madirekṣaṇaḥ || 106 ||
وہ ماہِشمتی کا مالک ایک جنگجو تھا—عظیم شہرت اور قوی بازوؤں والا؛ صورت میں نازک مگر مہاویر، دشمنوں کا قاتل، اور مے کی طرح مسحور کن سیاہ آنکھوں والا۔
Narada (in dialogue with the Sanatkumara brothers, describing a renowned king/hero)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: vira
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It presents the idealized Kṣatriya profile—strength, fame, and enemy-subduing power—while also emphasizing inner greatness beyond outward softness, a common Purāṇic way of teaching dharmic excellence through character portraits.
Though not explicitly devotional, the verse supports Bhakti indirectly by portraying virtues (valor, fame, self-mastery) that, when offered to dharma and the divine order, become supportive qualities for disciplined devotion and righteous rule.
The verse is primarily descriptive (stuti-lakṣaṇa) rather than technical; its practical takeaway aligns with Vyākaraṇa/Nirukta-style clarity of epithets—how compound titles (e.g., māhiṣmatīpatiḥ, madirekṣaṇaḥ) precisely convey identity and qualities.