Shloka 22
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
तेन वीरेण शुशुभे स शैल: शुभकानन: । आदित्येनेवांशुमता मन्दरश्वलारुकन्दर:,जैसे अंशुमाली सूर्यके उदयसे मनोहर कन्दरावाले मन्दराचलकी शोभा होती है, उसी प्रकार वीरवर स्कन्दके निवाससे सुन्दर वनवाले उस श्वेतगिरिकी शोभा बढ़ गयी थी
tena vīreṇa śuśubhe sa śailaḥ śubhakānanaḥ | ādityenevāṃśumatā mandaraś cārukandaraḥ ||
Ngọn núi ấy, với những khu rừng cát tường, càng thêm rực rỡ nhờ sự hiện diện của vị anh hùng kia. Như núi Mandara có những hang động mỹ lệ trở nên chói sáng khi mặt trời rạng lên với muôn tia, cũng vậy, vẻ đẹp của Śvetagiri tăng bội phần khi dũng tướng Skanda chọn làm nơi cư ngụ.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how the presence of a great and virtuous power (here, the heroic Skanda) enhances the splendor of a place—suggesting that excellence and sanctity are not merely inherent but are intensified by association with the noble, much as sunlight reveals and magnifies natural beauty.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a mountain landscape: Śvetagiri, rich in fine forests, becomes especially radiant because Skanda dwells there. The poet reinforces this with a simile: Mandara shines when the sun rises, so Śvetagiri shines with Skanda’s residence.