Shloka 29
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
रथेनादित्यवर्णेन पार्वत्या सहित: प्रभु: । (अनुयात: सुरै: सर्व: सहस्राक्षपुरोगमै:) सहस्र॑ तस्य सिंहानां तस्मिन् युक्त रथोत्तमे,मार्कण्डेयजी कहते हैं-राजन्! जब अग्निनन्दन भगवान् स्कन्दका सेनापतिके पदपर अभिषेक हो गया, तब श्रीमान् भगवान् शिव देवी पार्वतीके साथ सूर्यके समान रथपर आखरूढ हो प्रसन्नतापूर्वक भद्रवटकी ओर प्रस्थित हुए। उस समय इन्द्र आदि सब देवता उनके पीछे-पीछे चले। भगवान् शिवके उस उत्तम रथमें एक हजार सिंह जुते हुए थे
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca |
rathenādityavarṇena pārvatyā sahitaḥ prabhuḥ |
(anuyātaḥ suraiḥ sarvaiḥ sahasrākṣa-purogamaiḥ) |
sahasraṃ tasya siṃhānāṃ tasmin yukta-rathottame ||
马尔坎德耶说道：主神（湿婆）偕同帕尔瓦蒂登上光辉如日的战车，怀着欢悦而吉祥的心意启程而行。诸天神众皆随其后，由千眼的因陀罗领前。那至上战车以一千头狮子为轭——象征在斯坎达受灌顶为天军统帅之后，神力不可阻挡而又和谐推进的威势。
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores divine order and rightful leadership: after Skanda’s appointment, Śiva’s radiant departure with the gods following—led by Indra—signals unified alignment of cosmic powers behind a legitimate command structure, where strength (the lion-yoked chariot) is guided by auspicious purpose rather than chaos.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes Śiva, with Pārvatī, mounting a sun-bright chariot and proceeding onward; the gods follow behind with Indra at their head. The chariot is portrayed as extraordinarily powerful, being yoked with a thousand lions.