Shloka 5
Karṇa’s Counsel on Śrī
Fortune) and the Proposed Display before the Exiled Pāṇḍavas (कर्णवचनम् / श्रीप्रदर्शन-प्रस्तावः
शिवोवाच अस्माकं वत्वं प्रियो नित्यं बिभीमस्तु वयं तव । त्वच्चित्तमिड्डितैर्जात्वा प्रेषितास्मि तवान्तिकम्
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca | śivo'vāca: asmākaṃ tvaṃ priyaḥ nityaṃ, bibhīmaś ca vayaṃ tava | tvac-cittam īḍḍitaiḥ jñātvā preṣitāsmi tavāntikam ||
Śivā dijo: «Oh Agnideva, siempre nos has sido querido; y, sin embargo, desde antiguo te hemos temido. Últimamente, al comprender por tus gestos el deseo que albergas en el corazón, mis compañeras me han enviado a tu lado. He venido aquí anhelando la unión. Goza pronto del placer del amor que ha llegado a ti por sí mismo. Oh Hutāśana, mis amigas, como hermanas para mí, aguardan mi regreso; por eso debo partir sin demora.»
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage frames desire as powerful and urgent, yet socially and ethically bounded: intention is read through signs, consent is explicitly voiced, and the speaker emphasizes time-limits and accountability to companions—highlighting that even pleasure is situated within relational duties and awareness of consequences.
Within Markandeya’s narration, a figure speaking as ‘Shiva’ addresses Agni (Hutaśana), saying Agni is dear yet feared; the speaker has been sent by companions after discerning Agni’s intent through gestures, comes seeking union, urges swift enjoyment, and notes that her companions are waiting, so she must leave soon.