Shloka 3
Ādi-parva Adhyāya 209: Śaraṇāgati of the Cursed Apsarases; Nārītīrtha-prasiddhi; Arjuna’s Vimocana
गदापट्टिशधारिण्या शूलमुद्गरहस्तया । प्रस्थितौ सह वर्मिण्या महत्या दैत्यसेनया,उनके साथ गदा, पट्टिश, शूल, मुदुगर और कवचसे सुसज्जित दैत्योंकी विशाल सेना जा रही थी। वे दोनों सेनाके साथ प्रस्थान कर रहे थे। चारणलोग विजयसूचक मंगल और स्तुतिपाठ करते हुए उन दोनोंके गुण गाते जाते थे। इस प्रकार उन दोनों दैत्योंने बड़े आनन्दसे यात्रा की
gadā-paṭṭiśa-dhāriṇyā śūla-mudgara-hastayā | prasthitau saha varmiṇyā mahatyā daitya-senayā ||
Wika ni Nārada: “Kasama ang isang napakalaking hukbo ng mga Daitya—nakabaluti at may dalang gada, palakol-pandigma na paṭṭiśa, trident, at mabibigat na pamalo—umalis sa pagmamartsa ang dalawa. Habang sumusulong sila kasama ng hukbo, sumasabay ang mga cāraṇa, umaawit ng mga mapalad na himno ng tagumpay at mga papuri, ipinahahayag ang kanilang mga katangian. Kaya’t ang dalawang Daitya ay nagpatuloy sa paglalakbay na may malaking galak.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how martial power is publicly framed through auspicious speech and praise: weapons and armour signify readiness for conflict, while the cāraṇas’ victory-songs create moral and psychological momentum. It implicitly warns that exhilaration and acclaim can accompany the advance toward violence, making discernment (dharma-viveka) necessary even amid celebration.
Two Daitya leaders (referred to in the dual) depart on a journey/march accompanied by a large, well-armed and armoured Daitya host. As they proceed, bards travel alongside, chanting auspicious victory verses and praising their qualities, and the Daityas continue their travel in high spirits.