Shloka 27
Duryodhana Seized by Citraseṇa; Kaurava Petition to Yudhiṣṭhira (दुर्योधनापहारः / चित्रसेनगन्धर्वग्रहणम्)
पूतनां राक्षसीं प्राहुस्तं विद्यात् पूतनाग्रहम् । कष्टा दारुणरूपेण घोररूपा निशाचरी,पूतनाको राक्षसी बताया गया है, उसे “पूतनाग्रह” समझना चाहिये। वह भयंकर रूप धारण करनेवाली निशाचरी बड़ी क्रूरताके साथ बालकोंको कष्ट पहुँचाती है
pūtanāṃ rākṣasīṃ prāhus taṃ vidyāt pūtanāgraham | kaṣṭā dāruṇarūpeṇa ghorarūpā niśācarī ||
Mārkaṇḍeya thưa: “Họ nói Pūtanā là một rākṣasī; hãy nhận biết nàng là ‘Pūtanā-graha’—một tà linh ác độc chuyên ám nhập. Mang hình tướng thô bạo, ghê rợn, kẻ lang thang trong đêm ấy tàn nhẫn gieo khổ cho trẻ nhỏ.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse warns that certain destructive forces—personified as Pūtanā—prey upon the vulnerable, especially children. Ethically, it underscores the duty to recognize harm clearly and to protect those who cannot protect themselves.
Mārkaṇḍeya identifies Pūtanā as a rākṣasī and specifically as a ‘graha’—a malignant seizing spirit—describing her terrifying form and her cruel activity of causing suffering to children.