Shloka 21
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
उस समय देवताओंने जो खिलौने इन्हें दिये थे, उन्हींसे महाबली महासेन खेलते और मन बहलाते हैं ।। स संवृतः पिशाचानां गणैदेवगणैस्तथा । शुशुभे काउ्चने शैले दीप्यमान: श्रिया वृत:,राजन्! अदभुत शोभासे सम्पन्न और कान्तिमान् कुमार कार्तिकेय उस समय उस स्वर्णमय शिखरपर पिशाचों और देवताओंके समूहसे घिरकर बड़ी शोभा पा रहे थे
tadā devair ye krīḍanīyakāḥ pradattās tair eva mahābalī mahāsenaḥ krīḍati manāṃsi ca vinodayati || sa saṃvṛtaḥ piśācānāṃ gaṇair devagaṇais tathā | śuśubhe kāñcane śaile dīpyamānaḥ śriyā vṛtaḥ || rājan adbhutaśobhāsaṃpannaḥ kāntimān kumāraḥ kārtikeyaḥ tadā tasmin suvarṇamaye śikhare piśācagaṇaiḥ devagaṇaiś ca parivṛto mahāśobhayā virājate ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “At that time, the mighty Mahāsena (Kārtikeya) amused himself by playing with the toys the gods had given him. Surrounded by companies of Piśācas and also by hosts of gods, he shone upon a golden mountain-peak—radiant, encompassed by splendor. O king, the youthful Kārtikeya, wondrously beautiful and luminous, stood there on that golden summit, encircled by those attendant bands, displaying an extraordinary majesty.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage emphasizes divine majesty expressed through serenity and play: even the supremely powerful Kārtikeya is shown in a gentle, auspicious mode, surrounded by cosmic attendants. Power is framed as radiant order and protection rather than mere aggression.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes Kārtikeya (Mahāsena/Kumāra) on a golden mountain-peak, playing with toys gifted by the gods. He is encircled by groups of Piśācas and hosts of gods, and his extraordinary beauty and brilliance are highlighted for the king.