Shloka 28
Mārkaṇḍeya’s Consolation to the King: Exempla of Rāma and the Efficacy of Allies (मार्कण्डेयाश्वासनम्)
कुम्भकर्णमथोवाच तथैव प्रपितामहः । स वत्रे महतीं निद्रां तमसा ग्रस्तचेतन:,तत्पश्चात् ब्रह्माजीने कुम्भकर्णसे वर माँगनेको कहा। परंतु उसकी बुद्धि तमोगुणसे ग्रस्त थी; अतः: उसने अधिक कालतक नींद लेनेका वर माँगा
kumbhakarṇam athovāca tathaiva prapitāmahaḥ | sa vavre mahatīṃ nidrāṃ tamasā grastacetanaḥ |
ثم خاطب الجدّ الأعلى (براهما) كُمْبَهَكَرْنا كذلك، ودعاه إلى اختيار نعمة. غير أنّ عقل كُمْبَهَكَرْنا كان مغلوبًا بظلمة التَّمَس ووهمه؛ فلما أُتيح له أن يختار، سأل نومًا عظيمًا طويل الأمد.
रावण उवाच
Educational Q&A
When the mind is dominated by tamas (ignorance and inertia), even a sacred chance to seek a boon is misused; inner disposition determines the ethical quality and outcome of one’s choices.
Brahmā (the Grandsire) invites Kumbhakarṇa to ask for a boon; because his consciousness is clouded by tamas, he requests an enormous, prolonged sleep instead of a boon that would support wise action.