Shloka 226
मातापितृपूजन-प्रधानधर्मः (Primacy of Filial Service) — Mārkaṇḍeya’s Account of the Vyādha’s Instruction
सुप्तो5भूद् राजशार्टूल कालानलसमझ्ुति: । महाराज! तदनन्तर धुन्धु पश्चिम दिशाको घेरकर सो गया। नृपश्रेष्ठ) उसकी कान्ति प्रलयकालीन अग्निके समान जान पड़ती थी
supto ’bhūd rājaśārdūla kālānala-sama-dyutiḥ | mahārāja! tad-anantaraṃ dhundhuḥ paścima-diśaṃ gherayitvā sa gataḥ | nṛpaśreṣṭha! tasya kāntiḥ pralayakālīnāgni-samānaiva pratibhāti |
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “O tiger among kings, he fell asleep, his radiance like the fire of Time. O great king, thereafter Dhundhu went away, having encompassed the western quarter. O best of rulers, his splendor appeared like the conflagration at the end of an age.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how overwhelming power and radiance—likened to Time’s fire and pralaya—should evoke humility and vigilance in rulers; even kings are reminded that forces greater than human authority move through the world.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a figure falling asleep with terrifying, world-ending brilliance; afterward, Dhundhu departs after encircling the western quarter, emphasizing his immense, ominous presence.