Shloka 9
मातापितृपूजन-प्रधानधर्मः (Primacy of Filial Service) — Mārkaṇḍeya’s Account of the Vyādha’s Instruction
मधुकैटभयो: पुत्रो धुन्धुर्भीमपराक्रम: । शेते लोकविनाशाय तपोबलमुपाश्रित:
madhukaiṭabhayoḥ putro dhundhur bhīmaparākramaḥ | śete lokavināśāya tapobalam upāśritaḥ ||
Markandeya said: “The mighty Dhundhu, son of Madhu and Kaiṭabha, lies there—his terrible valor sustained by the power of austerities—intent upon the destruction of the worlds.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Austerity (tapas) can generate immense power, but when driven by destructive intent it becomes a threat to cosmic order; strength gains ethical meaning only when aligned with dharma.
Mārkaṇḍeya identifies Dhundhu—born of Madhu and Kaiṭabha—as a fearsome being lying in repose, empowered by ascetic force and poised for world-destruction, setting up the need for a dharmic response to avert catastrophe.