Shloka 52
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
एभिश्न सहितो देवस्तत्र याति यथासुखम् । अग्रतः पृष्ठतश्चैव न हि तस्य गतिर्धुुवा,इन सबके साथ महादेवजी सुखपूर्वक भद्गवटकी यात्रा कर रहे थे। वे कभी सेनाके आगे रहते और कभी पीछे। उनकी कोई निश्चित गति नहीं थी
ebhiś na sahito devas tatra yāti yathāsukham | agrataḥ pṛṣṭhataś caiva na hi tasya gatir dhruvā ||
Accompanied by these attendants, Mahādeva proceeded there at his ease. At times he moved in front of the host, and at times behind it; for his course was not fixed.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the Lord’s svātantrya (divine freedom): Śiva is not bound to a single, predictable pattern of movement or conduct. Ethically, it suggests that the divine does not conform to rigid human expectations, and that reverence includes accepting what is beyond ordinary calculation.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes Mahādeva traveling along with his attendants. As the group proceeds, Śiva sometimes appears at the front and sometimes at the rear, indicating an unfixed, wondrous manner of movement.