Shloka 13
Duryodhana’s Departure toward Dvaītavana; Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Caution and Śakuni’s Assurance
प्रच्युता: सहसा भान्ति व्यस्तास्तारागणा इव | दह्ामाना: प्रपन्नास्ते शरणं पावकात्मजम्,वे सब-के-सब सहसा तितर-बितर हो आकाशमें बिखरे हुए तारोंके समान जान पड़ते थे। इस तरह जलते हुए देवता वज्रधारी इन्द्रका साथ छोड़कर अग्निनन्दन स्कन्दकी ही शरणमें आये, तब उन्हें शान्ति मिली। देवताओंके त्याग देनेपर इन्द्रने स्कन्दपर अपने वज्रका प्रहार किया
pracyutāḥ sahasā bhānti vyastās tārāgaṇā iva | dahyamānāḥ prapannās te śaraṇaṃ pāvakātmajam |
Markandeya said: “All at once they seemed to have fallen away and scattered, like clusters of stars dispersed across the sky. Burning with distress, those gods abandoned Indra and sought refuge in Skanda, the son of Agni; and by taking shelter in him they found peace.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
When overwhelmed by suffering and confusion, beings seek a true protector; the verse highlights śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) as a stabilizing ethical response—turning toward a capable guardian rather than clinging to failing support.
The gods, afflicted and ‘burning’ with distress, suddenly scatter like stars and abandon Indra’s side. They surrender to Skanda (Agni’s son) for protection, finding calm through his shelter.