Shloka 43
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
ऋषयश्चापि देवाश्न गन्धर्वा भुजगास्तथा,रुद्रदेवके पीछे ऋषि, देवता, गन्धर्व, नाग, नदियाँ, गहरे जलाशय, समुद्र, अप्सराएँ, नक्षत्र, ग्रह तथा देवकुमार चल रहे थे
ṛṣayaś cāpi devāś ca gandharvā bhujagās tathā
तसेच ऋषी, देव, गंधर्व आणि नागही त्या महायात्रेत सोबत चालत होते.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the idea that certain events in the Mahābhārata unfold under the gaze of the entire moral and cosmic order: sages (spiritual authority), gods (divine governance), Gandharvas (celestial attendants), and nāgas (ancient chthonic powers). This framing implies that dharma is not private or local—it is witnessed and validated across realms.
Mārkaṇḍeya is describing a grand movement or gathering in which multiple classes of beings—humanly revered sages and various divine or semi-divine groups—are proceeding together. The emphasis is on the scale and sanctity of the scene, indicating a moment of exceptional importance within the story.