Shloka 33

Kuntī–Sūrya-saṃvāda: Autonomy, Reputation, and the Promise of Karṇa

Devanagari script

निर्याणे स मतिं कृत्वा निधायासिं क्षपाचर: । आज्ञापयामास तदा रथो मे कल्प्यतामिति,फिर उस निशाचरने युद्धके लिये प्रस्थान करनेका निश्चय करके तलवार रख दी और आज्ञा दी--'मैरा रथ तैयार किया जाय'

Transliteration

niryāṇe sa matiṁ kṛtvā nidhāyāsiṁ kṣapācaraḥ | ājñāpayāmāsa tadā ratho me kalpyatām iti ||

Translation

Mārkaṇḍeya said: Having resolved to set out for battle, the night-roaming rākṣasa set down his sword and then commanded, “Let my chariot be made ready.”

Word by Word

• निर्याणे: in/at the departure (setting out)
• निर्याणे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: निर्याण
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• सः: he
• सः: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• मतिम्: intention, resolve
• मतिम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: मति
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• कृत्वा: having made (having resolved)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कृ
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral here)

• निधाय: having placed/laid down
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-धा
• Form: ल्यप् (absolutive/gerund), Parasmaipada (usage-neutral here)

• असिम्: sword
• असिम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: असि
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• क्षपाचरः: night-roamer (demon)
• क्षपाचरः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: क्षपाचर
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• आज्ञापयामास: commanded, ordered
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-ज्ञा (caus. आज्ञापय)
• Form: Perfect (periphrastic), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

• तदा: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा

• रथः: chariot
• रथः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: रथ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• मे: my
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: अस्मद्
• Form: Genitive, Singular

• कल्प्यताम्: let (it) be made ready / be prepared
• Type: Verb
• Root: कॢप्
• Form: Imperative, 3rd, Singular, Atmanepada (passive sense)

• इति: thus (quotative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति

Speaker

मार्कण्डेय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Mārkaṇḍeya
• kṣapācara (a rākṣasa/night-roamer)
• sword (asi)
• chariot (ratha)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores intentionality and discipline: before entering conflict, one should form a clear resolve and then proceed through proper preparation and orderly command rather than impulsive violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Mārkaṇḍeya narrates that a rākṣasa, deciding to depart for battle, sets down his sword and orders that his chariot be readied, signaling the start of a martial expedition.