Shloka 20
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
यानि क्रीडनकान्यस्य देवैर्दत्तानि वै तदा । तैरेव रमते देवो महासेनो महाबल:
yāni krīḍanakāny asya devair dattāni vai tadā | tair eva ramate devo mahāseno mahābalaḥ ||
Mārkaṇḍeya sprach: „Jene Spielzeuge, die die Götter ihm damals geschenkt hatten — an eben diesen allein erfreut sich der mächtige Gott Mahāsena, von großer Kraft.“
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the sanctity and enduring value of divine gifts: what is bestowed by the gods remains a fitting source of joy and auspiciousness. It also subtly portrays the deity’s simplicity—delight arising not from excess, but from what is rightly given.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes Mahāsena (Skanda/Kārttikeya) enjoying himself with the very playthings previously granted to him by the gods, emphasizing his divine yet childlike aspect within the mythic account.