Shloka 25
सूर्य–कर्णोपदेशः
Sūrya’s Counsel to Karṇa on Kīrti and the Kuṇḍala
तत्रान्ये व्याहरन्ति सम वानरा बहुमानिन: । समर्था लड्घने सिन्धोर्न तु तत् कृत्स्नकारकम्,तब वहाँ बहुत-से दूसरे-दूसरे वानर, जो बड़े अभिमानी थे, कहने लगे--“'हम तो समुद्रको लाँघ जानेमें समर्थ हैं, परंतु सब नहीं लाँध सकते”
tatrānye vyāharanti sama vānārā bahumānināḥ | samarthā laṅghane sindhorn a tu tat kṛtsnakārakam ||
There, other monkeys too—proud and self-assured—spoke up: “We can leap across the ocean; yet we cannot carry out the whole task in its entirety.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts self-confident claims with the ethical requirement of completing one’s duty fully: partial ability or mere boasting is insufficient when the task demands total accomplishment and accountability.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a moment where many vānaras speak up proudly, asserting they can leap over the ocean, yet admitting they cannot carry out the entire undertaking—implying the need for someone uniquely capable to complete the mission.