Shloka 7
Duryodhana Seized by Citraseṇa; Kaurava Petition to Yudhiṣṭhira (दुर्योधनापहारः / चित्रसेनगन्धर्वग्रहणम्)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच विवक्षन्तं तत: शक्रं कि कार्यमिति सो<ब्रवीत् । उक्तः स्कन्देन ब्रूहीति सोडब्रवीद् वासवस्तत:,मार्कण्डेयजी कहते हैं--राजन्! तदनन्तर इन्द्रको कुछ कहनेके लिये उत्सुक देख स्कन्दने पूछा--'क्या काम है, कहिये।” स्कन्दके इस प्रकार आदेश देनेपर इन्द्र बोले --
Mārkaṇḍeya uvāca: vivakṣantaṃ tataḥ Śakraṃ kiṃ kāryam iti so ’bravīt | uktaḥ Skandena brūhīti so ’bravīd Vāsavas tataḥ ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: Then, seeing Śakra (Indra) eager to speak, Skanda asked him, “What is your purpose—tell me.” Thus addressed by Skanda, Vāsava (Indra) thereupon began to speak. The scene underscores disciplined speech: even the king of gods speaks only when properly invited and questioned.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical restraint and proper protocol in speech: even a powerful figure like Indra speaks after being questioned and granted permission, suggesting that purposeful, accountable speech is a mark of dharma.
Mārkaṇḍeya narrates a moment where Skanda notices Indra ready to speak, asks his purpose, and then instructs him to speak; Indra then begins his statement, marking a transition into Indra’s forthcoming message.