Shloka 4
Pṛthā’s Atithi-Sevā and the Gift of the Deva-Āhvāna Mantra (पृथायाः अतिथिसेवा तथा देवाह्वानमन्त्रप्रदानम्)
करजैरतुदंश्वान्ये विहाय भयमुत्तमम् । बहुधा युध्यमानास्ते युद्धमार्गैं: प्लवज्भमा:
karajair atudaṁśvānye vihāya bhayam uttamam | bahudhā yudhyamānās te yuddha-mārgaiḥ plavaj-bhamāḥ ||
Dijo Mārkaṇḍeya: «Otros, dejando atrás incluso el mayor de los temores, golpeaban con las manos y combatían de muchas maneras—saltando y lanzándose de un lado a otro por los diversos pasos y aberturas del combate».
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights courage under pressure: even when fear is at its peak, one may choose steadfast action and resolve, a quality praised in epic ethics when aligned with rightful duty.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a chaotic combat scene where some fighters, abandoning intense fear, strike with their hands and engage in varied tactics—leaping and maneuvering along different battle-lines or openings.