Shloka 4.48.12

विन्ध्यगुहाविचयः — Searching the Vindhya Caves and the Cursed Forest (Southern Search)

Devanagari script

कण्डुर्नाम महाभागस्सत्यवादी तपोधनः।महर्षिः परमामर्षी नियमैर्दुष्प्रधर्षणः।।।।

Transliteration

kaṇḍur nāma mahābhāgaḥ satyavādī tapodhanaḥ | maharṣiḥ paramāmarṣī niyamair duṣpradharṣaṇaḥ || 4.48.12 ||

Translation

There was a great sage named Kaṇḍu—truth-speaking and rich in ascetic power; a mahārṣi of fierce temper, unassailable because of his strict observances.

Context

There was a sage called Kandu who was truthful, outrageous and short-tempered. He observed strict austerities and was rich in penance.

Characters & Entities

• Kaṇḍu (sage)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Satya is foregrounded as a defining ṛṣi-quality; the verse also cautions that spiritual power joined with anger can have vast consequences.

What is the narrative situation?

The text introduces the sage Kaṇḍu to explain the desolation of the forest the monkeys are traversing.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthfulness (satyavāda) and disciplined austerity (niyama/tapas) as sources of moral and spiritual authority.