Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
दानवानू् प्रत्ययुध्यन्त शक्रं कृत्वा व्यपाश्रयम् । ततस्ते त्रिदशा: सर्वे मरुतक्ष महाबला:
dānavānū pratyayudhyanta śakraṃ kṛtvā vyapāśrayam | tataste tridaśāḥ sarve marutakṣa mahābalāḥ ||
दानव शक्राला आधार मानून त्याच्याशी प्रत्ययुद्ध करू लागले. तेव्हा ते सर्व महाबली त्रिदश देव आणि मरुतही उभे ठाकले.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
The verse highlights the ethical and strategic importance of āśraya (reliable support): in conflict, groups consolidate around a capable leader or refuge-point, and collective strength emerges through unity and coordinated alliance.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a battle scene: the Dānavas counterattack, centering their effort around Śakra (Indra) as the key support, and then the gods—the Tridaśas—along with the Maruts, muster their full power in response.