Shloka 2
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
इच्छाम्यहं त्वया दत्तां प्रीतिं परमदुर्लभाम् । तामब्रवीत् ततः स्कन्द: प्रीतिमिच्छसि कीदृशीम्,“अतः मैं चाहती हूँ कि तुम मुझे परम दुर्लभ प्रीति प्रदान करो।” तब स्कन्दने पूछा --'माँ तुम कैसी प्रीति पानेकी अभिलाषा रखती हो?”
icchāmy ahaṃ tvayā dattāṃ prītiṃ paramadurlabhām | tām abravīt tataḥ skandaḥ prītim icchasi kīdṛśīm ||
Svāhā berkata, “Aku menginginkan darimu anugerah kasih (prīti) yang amat langka.” Lalu Skanda bertanya, “Kasih seperti apakah yang engkau kehendaki?”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a ‘boon’ like prīti (favor/affection) must be specified by its nature and purpose; ethical gifts are not merely granted, they are defined—so that the recipient’s desire aligns with dharma rather than impulse.
The speaker (Mārkaṇḍeya) reports a request for a very rare prīti from Skanda; Skanda immediately asks for clarification—what exact form of prīti is being sought—setting up a more detailed articulation of the desired boon.