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 berkata: “Wahai raja yang tak bercela, sosok yang oleh para bijak disebut Surabhi, Ibu para sapi—di atas dirinya sang raksasi Śakunī menunggang; bersama rombongan graha-nya ia memangsa bayi-bayi di bumi.”
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.