Shloka 2
Duryodhana’s Departure toward Dvaītavana; Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Caution and Śakuni’s Assurance
एते चान्ये च बहवो घोरास्त्रिदिववासिन: । परिवार्य महासेनं स्थिता मातृगणै: सह,मार्कण्डेयजी कहते हैं--राजन! ग्रह, उपग्रह, ऋषि, मातृकागण और मुखसे आग उगलनेवाले दर्पयुक्त पार्षदगण--ये तथा दूसरे बहुत-से भयंकर स्वर्गवासी प्राणी मातृकागणोंके साथ रहकर महासेनको सब ओरसे घेरे हुए उनकी रक्षाके लिये खड़े थे
ete cānye ca bahavo ghorās tridivavāsinaḥ | parivārya mahāsenaṃ sthitā mātṛgaṇaiḥ saha ||
Mereka ini dan banyak penghuni surga lainnya yang mengerikan, bersama rombongan para Mātṛ, berdiri mengelilingi Mahāsena dari segala arah demi melindunginya.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights divine guardianship and the maintenance of cosmic order: powerful beings align themselves around a righteous commander (Mahāsena) to protect and uphold the gods’ cause, suggesting that protection and strength are ideally exercised in service of dharma rather than mere aggression.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a scene where many formidable celestial beings, along with the Mātṛkā-hosts, take up positions around Mahāsena, encircling him as a protective guard.