Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
तस्य दक्षिणतो भाति दण्डो गच्छन् श्रिया वृत:
tasya dakṣiṇato bhāti daṇḍo gacchan śriyā vṛtaḥ
在他右侧,可见权杖随行而动,周身环绕吉祥光辉——象征正法之权威与严整之秩序伴其左右。
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Righteous authority (daṇḍa) is not mere force; when aligned with dharma it is accompanied by śrī—legitimacy, auspiciousness, and moral radiance—signaling disciplined governance rather than arbitrary punishment.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes an auspicious sign: on the figure’s right side a staff is seen proceeding, shining and surrounded by splendor, indicating the presence of orderly power and protective, dharmic rule.