Shloka 29
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
रथेनादित्यवर्णेन पार्वत्या सहित: प्रभु: । (अनुयात: सुरै: सर्व: सहस्राक्षपुरोगमै:) सहस्र॑ तस्य सिंहानां तस्मिन् युक्त रथोत्तमे,मार्कण्डेयजी कहते हैं-राजन्! जब अग्निनन्दन भगवान् स्कन्दका सेनापतिके पदपर अभिषेक हो गया, तब श्रीमान् भगवान् शिव देवी पार्वतीके साथ सूर्यके समान रथपर आखरूढ हो प्रसन्नतापूर्वक भद्रवटकी ओर प्रस्थित हुए। उस समय इन्द्र आदि सब देवता उनके पीछे-पीछे चले। भगवान् शिवके उस उत्तम रथमें एक हजार सिंह जुते हुए थे
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca |
rathenādityavarṇena pārvatyā sahitaḥ prabhuḥ |
(anuyātaḥ suraiḥ sarvaiḥ sahasrākṣa-purogamaiḥ) |
sahasraṃ tasya siṃhānāṃ tasmin yukta-rathottame ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: The Lord (Śiva), accompanied by Pārvatī, mounted a chariot radiant like the sun and set forth in a pleased and auspicious mood. All the gods followed behind him, led by the thousand-eyed Indra. To that supreme chariot were yoked a thousand lions—an image of irresistible divine power moving in harmony after Skanda’s consecration as commander of the gods’ forces.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores divine order and rightful leadership: after Skanda’s appointment, Śiva’s radiant departure with the gods following—led by Indra—signals unified alignment of cosmic powers behind a legitimate command structure, where strength (the lion-yoked chariot) is guided by auspicious purpose rather than chaos.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes Śiva, with Pārvatī, mounting a sun-bright chariot and proceeding onward; the gods follow behind with Indra at their head. The chariot is portrayed as extraordinarily powerful, being yoked with a thousand lions.