Shloka 28
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 |
Then the Grandsire (Brahmā) addressed Kumbhakarṇa as well. But Kumbhakarṇa’s mind was overpowered by darkness and delusion (tamas); therefore, when invited to choose a boon, he asked for an immense, long-lasting sleep.
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.