Shloka 21
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
उस समय देवताओंने जो खिलौने इन्हें दिये थे, उन्हींसे महाबली महासेन खेलते और मन बहलाते हैं ।। स संवृतः पिशाचानां गणैदेवगणैस्तथा । शुशुभे काउ्चने शैले दीप्यमान: श्रिया वृत:,राजन्! अदभुत शोभासे सम्पन्न और कान्तिमान् कुमार कार्तिकेय उस समय उस स्वर्णमय शिखरपर पिशाचों और देवताओंके समूहसे घिरकर बड़ी शोभा पा रहे थे
tadā devair ye krīḍanīyakāḥ pradattās tair eva mahābalī mahāsenaḥ krīḍati manāṃsi ca vinodayati || sa saṃvṛtaḥ piśācānāṃ gaṇair devagaṇais tathā | śuśubhe kāñcane śaile dīpyamānaḥ śriyā vṛtaḥ || rājan adbhutaśobhāsaṃpannaḥ kāntimān kumāraḥ kārtikeyaḥ tadā tasmin suvarṇamaye śikhare piśācagaṇaiḥ devagaṇaiś ca parivṛto mahāśobhayā virājate ||
马尔坎德耶说道：“那时，伟力的摩诃军（迦尔蒂凯耶）以诸天昔日赐予的玩物自娱。又有毗舍遮众与诸神之众环侍左右，他在一座金色山巅上熠熠生辉——光焰四射，荣华环绕。大王啊，年少的迦尔蒂凯耶，容貌奇绝而光明灿然，就立于那金峰之上，被随从诸部围绕，显出非凡威仪。”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage emphasizes divine majesty expressed through serenity and play: even the supremely powerful Kārtikeya is shown in a gentle, auspicious mode, surrounded by cosmic attendants. Power is framed as radiant order and protection rather than mere aggression.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes Kārtikeya (Mahāsena/Kumāra) on a golden mountain-peak, playing with toys gifted by the gods. He is encircled by groups of Piśācas and hosts of gods, and his extraordinary beauty and brilliance are highlighted for the king.