Shloka 34
मातापितृपूजन-प्रधानधर्मः (Primacy of Filial Service) — Mārkaṇḍeya’s Account of the Vyādha’s Instruction
प्रीतैश्न त्रिदशै: सर्वेर्महर्षिसहितैस्तदा,तदनन्तर महर्षियोंसहित सम्पूर्ण देवता प्रसन्न होकर वहाँ आये और राजासे वर माँगनेका अनुरोध करने लगे। राजन्! उनकी बात सुनकर कुवलाश्व अत्यन्त प्रसन्न हुए और हाथ जोड़ मस्तक झुकाकर इस प्रकार बोले--
prītaiś ca tridaśaiḥ sarvair maharṣi-sahitais tadā | tad-anantaram maharṣibhiḥ sahitāḥ sampūrṇā devatāḥ prasannāḥ kṛtvā tatra ājagmuḥ, rājānaṃ ca vara-yācanāyām anurodhituṃ pravṛttāḥ | rājan! teṣāṃ vacanaṃ śrutvā kuvalāśvaḥ atyanta-prasannaḥ san, añjaliṃ kṛtvā mastakaṃ namayitvā evaṃ uvāca ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “Then all the gods, the Thirty-three, pleased in heart and accompanied by great sages, came there. After arriving, they urged the king to ask for a boon. O King, hearing their words, Kuvalāśva became exceedingly glad; joining his hands and bowing his head, he spoke in this manner.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
When divine favor arises, the righteous response is humility and reverence. Kuvalashva’s folded hands and bowed head model ethical kingship: gratitude, self-restraint, and readiness to receive responsibility along with blessings.
Markandeya describes a scene where the gods, accompanied by great sages, arrive pleased and invite King Kuvalashva to ask for a boon. The king, delighted, responds respectfully and prepares to speak.