Shloka 23
Karṇa’s Counsel on Śrī
Fortune) and the Proposed Display before the Exiled Pāṇḍavas (कर्णवचनम् / श्रीप्रदर्शन-प्रस्तावः
उत्पेततुर्महानागौ चित्रश्नैरावतश्न ह । तावापतन्तौ सम्प्रेक्ष्य स बालोडर्कसमद्युति:,ये उस गर्जनाद्वारा चराचर प्राणियोंसहित इन तीनों लोकोंको मूर्छित-सा कर रहे थे। महान् मेघोंकी गम्भीर ध्वनिके समान उनकी उस गर्जनाको सुनकर चित्र और ऐरावत नामक दो महागज वहाँ दौड़े आये। कुमार स्कन्द सूर्यकी कान्तिके समान उद्धासित हो रहे थे। उन दोनों हाथियोंको आते देख उन अग्निकुमारने उन्हें दो हाथोंसे पकड़ लिया तथा एक हाथमें शक्ति और दूसरेमें अरुण शिखासे विभूषित और बलवानोंमें श्रेष्ठ एवं विशाल शरीरवाले एक समीपवर्ती कुक्कुट (मुर्गै)-को पकड़कर उन महाबाहु कुमारने भयंकर गर्जना की और (उन हाथी-मुर्गे आदिको लिये हुए) क्रीडा करने लगे
utpetatur mahānāgau citraś ca airāvataś ca ha | tāv āpatantau samprekṣya sa bālo 'rka-samadyutiḥ ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: Hearing that thunderous roar which seemed to stun the moving and unmoving beings across the three worlds, the two great elephants—Citra and Airāvata—came rushing there. The youthful Skanda shone with a brilliance like the sun. Seeing those two elephants charging in, the fire-born boy seized them with both hands; and taking up a śakti (spear) in one hand and, in the other, a nearby mighty cock—adorned with ruddy crest-flames and vast in body, foremost among the strong—he let out a fearsome roar and began to sport, holding them as if in play.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights divine strength disciplined by purpose: overwhelming power is shown as controlled ‘play’ that establishes awe and order rather than needless harm, reminding listeners that true might supports cosmic stability (dharma) and protection.
After a roar that stuns beings across the three worlds, the great elephants Citra and Airāvata rush in. The radiant boy Skanda sees them, seizes them, takes up his spear and a mighty rooster, roars fiercely, and sports with them—displaying his superhuman mastery.