Shloka 287
Adhyāya 290: Kuntī’s Mantra-Parīkṣā and the Appearance of Sūrya (कुन्ती–सूर्यसंवादः)
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत वनपवके अन्तर्गत रामोपाख्यानपर्वमें कुम्भकर्ण आदिका वधविषयक दो सौ सत्तासीवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ
iti prakāraṃ śrīmahābhārate vanaparvaṇi antar-gate rāmopākhyānaparvaṇi kumbhakarṇādikavadha-viṣayakaḥ dviśata-saptāśītitamo 'dhyāyaḥ pūrṇaḥ
Thus ends the 287th chapter of the Ramopākhyāna section within the Vana Parva of the Śrī Mahābhārata, concerning the slaying of Kumbhakarṇa and others. This closing formula marks the completion of the narrative unit, affirming righteous resistance to destructive power and the restoration of order through disciplined action.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
As a colophon, the line primarily signals completion, but it frames the episode’s ethical arc: destructive force (embodied by Kumbhakarṇa and others) is met by disciplined, duty-bound action, reinforcing the epic ideal that dharma is upheld through steadfast resistance to adharma.
This is the closing statement of the chapter within the Rāmopākhyāna embedded in Vana Parva, indicating that the chapter focused on the slaying of Kumbhakarṇa and other foes and that the chapter has concluded.