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 dit : «Ô Agnideva, tu nous as toujours été cher ; pourtant, depuis longtemps, nous te craignons. Récemment, ayant compris, à tes gestes, l’intention de ton cœur, mes compagnes m’ont envoyée auprès de toi. Je suis venue ici désirant l’union. Hâte-toi de goûter la joie de l’amour qui s’offre à toi d’elle-même. Ô Hutāśana, mes amies, semblables à des sœurs, m’attendent sur le chemin ; il me faut donc repartir bientôt.»
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.