Shloka 4
Duryodhana’s Departure toward Dvaītavana; Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Caution and Śakuni’s Assurance
देवेश्वर इन्द्रको अपनी विजयके विषयमें संदेह ही दिखायी देता था, तो भी वे विजयकी अभिलाषासे ऐरावत हाथीपर आरुढ़ हो देवताओंके साथ आगे बढ़े ।। आदाय वज्ं बलवान सर्वैर्देवगणैर्वृत: । विजिधघांसुर्महासेनमिन्द्रस्तूर्णतरं ययौ,सब देवताओंसे घिरे हुए बलवान इन्द्र महासेनको मार डालनेकी इच्छासे हाथमें वज्र ले बड़े वेगसे अग्रसर हो रहे थे
ādāya vajraṃ balavān sarvair devagaṇair vṛtaḥ | vijighāṃsur mahāsenaṃ indras tūrṇataraṃ yayau ||
Markandeya said: Though Indra, lord of the gods, still showed a trace of doubt about the outcome of his victory, he nevertheless rose with the desire to prevail. Surrounded by all the hosts of the gods, the mighty Indra took up his thunderbolt and, intent on slaying Mahāsena, advanced with even greater speed—his resolve overcoming hesitation as he moved toward battle.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a moral-psychological moment: even a powerful leader may feel doubt, yet must act with disciplined resolve when duty and purpose demand it. Indra’s advance, supported by the gods, frames courage as proceeding despite uncertainty rather than the absence of it.
Mārkaṇḍeya narrates Indra’s movement into battle: Indra, surrounded by the assembled gods, takes up his vajra and rushes forward with heightened speed, determined to kill Mahāsena.