Shloka 26
Duryodhana Seized by Citraseṇa; Kaurava Petition to Yudhiṣṭhira (दुर्योधनापहारः / चित्रसेनगन्धर्वग्रहणम्)
स्कन्दापस्मारमित्याहुर्ग्रहं तं द्विजसत्तमा: । विनता तु महारौद्रा कथ्यते शकुनिग्रह:,श्रेष्ठ द्विज! इस ग्रहको 'स्कन्दापस्मार' कहते हैं। इसी प्रकार अत्यन्त रौद्र रूप धारण करनेवाली विनताको “शकुनि ग्रह” बताया जाता है
skandāpasmaram ity āhur grahaṃ taṃ dvijasattamāḥ | vinatā tu mahāraudrā kathyate śakunigrahaḥ ||
Markandeya said: “O best of the twice-born, the foremost Brahmins describe that afflicting spirit as ‘Skandāpasmarā.’ Likewise, Vinatā—assuming a most terrifying form—is spoken of as the ‘Śakuni-graha,’ a baleful seizure associated with ominous birds.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames afflictions as classified ‘grahas’ recognized by learned authorities, suggesting that suffering and ominous influences are to be understood through established tradition and named categories—encouraging discernment, consultation of the wise, and appropriate remedial conduct rather than panic.
Mārkaṇḍeya identifies and names two specific grahas: one called Skandāpasmarā, and another in a terrifying form called Vinatā, described as the Śakuni-graha. He reports how eminent Brahmins traditionally refer to these afflicting forces.