Shloka 72
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
दानवानू् प्रत्ययुध्यन्त शक्रं कृत्वा व्यपाश्रयम् । ततस्ते त्रिदशा: सर्वे मरुतक्ष महाबला:
dānavānū pratyayudhyanta śakraṃ kṛtvā vyapāśrayam | tataste tridaśāḥ sarve marutakṣa mahābalāḥ ||
Dijo Mārkaṇḍeya: Los Dānavas contraatacaron entonces a Śakra (Indra), tomándolo por su principal apoyo y punto de reunión. Y así, todos aquellos poderosos dioses—los Tridaśas, junto con los Maruts—se alzaron con toda su fuerza.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and strategic importance of āśraya (reliable support): in conflict, groups consolidate around a capable leader or refuge-point, and collective strength emerges through unity and coordinated alliance.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a battle scene: the Dānavas counterattack, centering their effort around Śakra (Indra) as the key support, and then the gods—the Tridaśas—along with the Maruts, muster their full power in response.