Shloka 32
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
विद्युता सहित: सूर्य: सेन्द्रचापे घने यथा । उस रथपर भगवती उमाके साथ बैठे हुए भगवान् शिव इस प्रकार शोभित हो रहे थे, मानो इन्द्रधनुषयुक्त मेघोंकी घटामें विद्युतके साथ भगवान् सूर्य प्रकाशित हो रहे हों ।। ३१६ || अग्रतस्तस्य भगवान् धनेशो गुह्म॒ुकैः सह
vidyutā sahitaḥ sūryaḥ sendracāpe ghane yathā | (agre tasya bhagavān dhaneśo guhyakaiḥ saha ...)
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “Lord Śiva, seated upon the chariot together with the divine Goddess Umā, shone with splendor—like the sun gleaming amid a mass of clouds adorned with Indra’s rainbow and lit by flashes of lightning.” (The next line begins: “In front of him was the blessed Lord of wealth, Kubera, together with the Guhyakas…”)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a cosmic simile to convey divine majesty: Śiva’s radiance, enhanced by Umā’s presence, is portrayed as unmistakable and auspicious—suggesting that true spiritual authority shines steadily even amid obscuring conditions (like clouds), illuminating the world with order and благоприятность.
Mārkaṇḍeya is describing a divine procession/appearance: Śiva sits on a chariot with Umā and shines like the sun amid lightning and rainbowed clouds. The following, partially preserved line indicates that Kubera, the lord of wealth, proceeds in front accompanied by his attendants, the Guhyakas.