Shloka 14
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
मार्कण्डेय उदाच अर्कपुष्पैस्तु ते पजच गणा: पूज्या धनार्थिभि: | व्याधिप्रशमनार्थ च तेषां पूजां समाचरेत्,मार्कण्डेयजी कहते हैं-राजन्! धनार्थी पुरुषोंको आकके फूलोंसे उन पाँचों गणोंकी सेवा करनी चाहिये। रोगोंकी शान्तिके लिये भी उनका पूजन करना उचित है
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca—arkapuṣpaistu te pañca gaṇāḥ pūjyā dhanārthibhiḥ | vyādhipraśamanārthaṃ ca teṣāṃ pūjāṃ samācaret ||
মাৰ্কণ্ডেয় ক’লে—হে ৰাজন! ধনলাভকামী লোকসকলে আক (অৰ্ক) ফুলেৰে সেই পাঁচ গণৰ পূজা কৰিব লাগে। ৰোগ-শান্তিৰ বাবেও তেওঁলোকৰ পূজা বিধিপূৰ্বক কৰা উচিত।
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that disciplined worship (pūjā) directed to specific divine hosts, using prescribed offerings (arka-flowers), is recommended for two aims: prosperity (dhanārtha) and the alleviation of illness (vyādhi-praśamana). It frames ritual devotion as a dharmic means to seek well-being without harm to others.
Mārkaṇḍeya addresses a king and gives practical religious instruction: he specifies an offering (arka flowers) and identifies the recipients (five gaṇas), explaining the intended benefits—wealth for those who seek it and relief from disease.