Shloka 28
Adhyāya 227: Duryodhana’s Deliberation and the Ghoṣa-yātrā Pretext
Dvaita-vana
लोहितस्योदथे: कन्या क्रूरा लोहितभोजना । परिष्वज्य महासेने पुत्रवत् पर्यरक्षत,लाल सागरकी एक क्रूर स्वभाववाली कन्या थी, जिसका रक्त ही भोजन था। वह महासेनको पुत्रकी भाँति हृदयसे लगाकर सर्वतोभावेन उनकी रक्षा करने लगी
lohitasya udadheḥ kanyā krūrā lohitabhojanā | pariṣvajya mahāsene putravat paryarakṣata ||
Маркандейя сказал: «В океане Лохита была свирепая дева, чьей пищей была сама кровь. Обняв Махасену, словно родного сына, она стала охранять его со всех сторон с полной самоотдачей».
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical paradox: even one described as fierce and blood-eating can display protective, almost maternal compassion. It suggests that conduct (rakṣaṇa, protection) can reveal unexpected dharmic impulses even in beings of frightening nature.
Mārkaṇḍeya narrates that a terrifying maiden dwelling in the ‘Red’ ocean embraces Mahāsena and begins to protect him on all sides, treating him like her own son.