Shloka 100
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
शेषा दैत्यगणा घोरा भीतास्त्रस्ता दुरासदै: । स्कन्दपारिषदेर्हत्वा भक्षिताश्व॒ सहस्रश:,परम बुद्धिमान् महासेनने अपने बाणोंद्वारा अधिकांश दैत्योंको समाप्त कर दिया, बचे- खुचे भयंकर दैत्य भी भयभीत हो साहस खो चुके थे। स्कन्ददेवके दुर्धर्ष पार्षद उन सहस्रों दैत्योंको मारकर खा गये
śeṣā daityagaṇā ghorā bhītāstrastā durāsadaiḥ | skandapāriṣadair hatvā bhakṣitāś ca sahasraśaḥ ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “The remaining hosts of dreadful Dānavas—terrified, shaken, and hard to approach—were slain by Skanda’s formidable attendants, and in their thousands they were even devoured. Thus, after the greater part of the demons had already been brought down, the last survivors too were overwhelmed by fear and annihilated.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
When adharma becomes violent and predatory, it ultimately collapses under its own fear and is checked by forces aligned with cosmic order; the episode underscores that terror and aggression do not grant lasting power, while divine guardianship restores balance.
After most of the demons have already been destroyed, the remaining Daitya bands—terrified and disorganized—are attacked by Skanda’s fierce attendants, who kill them and, in large numbers, devour them, completing the rout.