Shloka 17
मार्कण्डेय उवाच स्कन्दं श्रुत्वा तदा देवा वासवं सहिताडब्रुवन्,त्रैलोक्यं संनिगृह्ास्मांस्त्वां च शक्र महाबल । मार्कण्डेयजी कहते हैं--राजन! उस समय स्कन्दके जन्म और बल-पराक्रमका समाचार सुनकर सब देवताओंने एकत्र हो इन्द्रसे कहा--'देवेश्वर! स्कन्दका बल असहा है। शीघ्र उन्हें मार डालिये; विलम्ब न कीजिये। महाबली इन्द्र! यदि आप इन्हें अभी नहीं मारते हैं तो ये त्रिलोकीको, हम सबको तथा आपको भी अपने वशमें करके “देवेन्द्र” बन बैठेंगे!
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca | skandaṃ śrutvā tadā devā vāsavaṃ sahitābruvan | trailokyaṃ saṃnigṛhṇāsmāṃs tvāṃ ca śakra mahābala ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: Hearing then of Skanda—of his birth and his mighty prowess—the gods assembled and spoke to Vāsava (Indra): “O Śakra of great strength! If he is not checked, he will subdue the three worlds, and bring us all—along with you—under his control.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how fear of losing authority can distort judgment, even among the gods, pushing them toward ethically fraught, preemptive action. It invites reflection on dharma: decisions made from insecurity and rivalry often lead to injustice and conflict.
Mārkaṇḍeya narrates that the gods, upon hearing of Skanda’s extraordinary power, gather and warn Indra (Śakra/Vāsava) that Skanda may subdue the three worlds and even Indra himself—urging decisive restraint against him.