Shloka 66
Sūrya’s Counsel to Karṇa on Indra’s Intended Request
Kuṇḍala–Kavaca Discourse
मुहूर्तमिव च ध्यात्वा सीता मां प्रत्युवाच ह,“तदनन्तर सीताने दो घड़ीतक कुछ सोचकर मुझसे इस प्रकार कहा--“महाबाहो! मैं अविन्ध्यके कहनेसे यह विश्वास करती हूँ कि तुम हनुमान् हो। अविन्ध्य राक्षसकुलमें उत्पन्न होते हुए भी वृद्ध एवं आदरणीय हैं
muhūrtam iva ca dhyātvā sītā māṃ pratyuvāca ha | “tad-anantaraṃ sītāne do ghaṛītaka kuch socakar mujhse is prakār kahā— ‘mahābāho! maiṃ avindhyake kahane se yah viśvāsa kartī hūṃ ki tum hanumān ho | avindhya rākṣasa-kula meṃ utpanna hote hue bhī vṛddha evaṃ ādarṇīya hai’ ”
Markandeya said: After reflecting for a moment, Sita replied to me: “O mighty-armed one! From Avindhya’s words I am convinced that you are Hanuman. Avindhya, though born in the race of the Rakshasas, is aged and worthy of respect.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should form trust after reflection and credible testimony, and honor virtue and seniority even in those from an opposing or stigmatized lineage; ethical regard is grounded in character, not merely birth.
Markandeya narrates that Sita pauses to think and then tells him she is convinced the person addressed is Hanuman, based on Avindhya’s words; she adds that Avindhya, though a Rakshasa by birth, is an elder deserving respect.