Shloka 326

Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve

Gandharva Encounter

Devanagari script

आस्थाय रुचिरं याति पुष्पकं नरवाहन: । उनके आगे-आगे गुह्मकोंसहित नरवाहन धनाध्यक्ष भगवान्‌ कुबेर मनोहर पुष्पक विमानपर बैठकर जा रहे थे

Transliteration

āsthāya ruciraṃ yāti puṣpakaṃ naravāhanaḥ |

Translation

Mārkaṇḍeya said: “Mounting the splendid Puṣpaka aerial car, Naravāhana proceeded onward. Before them went Bhagavān Kubera—Naravāhana, lord of wealth and guardian of treasures—seated upon the delightful Puṣpaka vimāna, accompanied by his attendants, the Guhyakas.”

Word by Word

• आस्थाय: having mounted/after boarding
• आस्थाय: Karma
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-स्था (स्था धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), कर्तरि, non-finite

• रुचिरम्: beautiful, charming
• रुचिरम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रुचिर
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• याति: goes, proceeds
• याति: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: या (या धातु)
• Form: Present, Indicative, Parasmaipada, 3rd, Singular

• पुष्पकम्: the Pushpaka (aerial car)
• पुष्पकम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुष्पक
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• नरवाहनः: Kubera (whose vehicle is men / man-borne)
• नरवाहनः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: नरवाहन
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

मार्कण्डेय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Mārkaṇḍeya
• Naravāhana (Kubera)
• Puṣpaka (vimāna)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Prosperity and authority (symbolized by Kubera and the Puṣpaka) are portrayed as legitimate and auspicious when they move within the bounds of dharma—emphasizing stewardship, order, and rightful guardianship rather than greed.

What is happening in the narrative?

Mārkaṇḍeya describes Naravāhana (Kubera) mounting the splendid Puṣpaka vimāna and proceeding onward, presenting a scene of divine movement and grandeur within the ongoing tale.