Shloka 12
मातापितृपूजन-प्रधानधर्मः (Primacy of Filial Service) — Mārkaṇḍeya’s Account of the Vyādha’s Instruction
सहसौरेकविंशत्या पुत्राणामरिमर्दन: । कुवलाश्वो नरपतिरन्वितो बलशालिनाम्,शत्रुमर्दन महाराज कुवलाश्व अपने इकक््कीस हजार बलवान पुत्रोंकी साथ लेकर (सेनासहित) चले थे
sahasrair ekaviṁśatyā putrāṇām arimardanaḥ | kuvalāśvo narapatir anvito balaśālinām ||
Markandeya said: O crusher of foes, King Kuvalāśva, accompanied by his mighty sons—twenty-one thousand in number—set forth with the strength of a powerful host, intent on subduing enemies. The passage highlights royal responsibility: power and progeny are to be directed toward the protection of order and the restraint of hostile forces, not toward reckless aggression.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Royal power—symbolized by a vast, strong progeny and military support—should be exercised as a dharmic duty: to restrain hostile forces and uphold order, rather than for personal pride or needless violence.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes King Kuvalāśva setting out, accompanied by his twenty-one thousand powerful sons, indicating a major royal expedition or campaign framed as the subduing of enemies.