Shloka 33
Duryodhana Seized by Citraseṇa; Kaurava Petition to Yudhiṣṭhira (दुर्योधनापहारः / चित्रसेनगन्धर्वग्रहणम्)
गवां माता तु या प्राज्जै: कथ्यते सुरभिरननप । शकुनिस्तामथारुह् सह भुड्धक्ते शिशून् भुवि,राजन! विद्वान् पुरुष जिसे गोमाता सुरभि कहते हैं, उसीपर आरूढ़ होकर शकुनिग्रह ->-विनता अन्य ग्रहोंके साथ भूमण्डलके बालकोंका भक्षण करती है
gavāṁ mātā tu yā prājñaiḥ kathyate surabhir anagha | śakunīs tām athāruhya saha bhūtagaṇaiḥ śiśūn bhuvi rājann bhakṣayati ||
Mārkaṇḍeya dijo: «Oh rey sin tacha, aquel ser a quien los sabios llaman Surabhi, la Madre de las vacas—sobre ella monta la demoníaca Śakunī, y junto con su hueste de espíritus se alimenta de los infantes de la tierra. Así, los más inocentes del mundo se vuelven víctimas de un poder pervertido que viola el orden natural y el dharma.»
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights adharma as the violation of natural and moral order—here symbolized by predation upon infants and the misuse of a revered figure (Surabhi). It implicitly urges vigilance, protection of the vulnerable, and restoration of dharmic balance.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a terrifying mythic scene: the demoness Śakunī mounts Surabhi (the cow-mother revered by the wise) and, accompanied by a host of spirits, devours infants on earth—an image of widespread affliction and disorder.