Shloka 52
Sūrya’s Counsel to Karṇa on Indra’s Intended Request
Kuṇḍala–Kavaca Discourse
स सम्पातिस्तदा राजन श्रुत्वा सुमहदप्रियम्
sa sampātis tadā rājan śrutvā sumahad apriyam
Oh rey, entonces Sampāti, al oír aquella noticia sobremanera dolorosa e indeseable, quedó herido por una honda aflicción: ejemplo de cómo los anuncios crueles ponen a prueba la firmeza y la compasión en el despliegue del destino.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral and emotional weight of hearing grievous news: adversity often arrives first as painful information, and one’s dharmic response is measured by steadiness, empathy, and restraint rather than impulsive reaction.
Mārkaṇḍeya addresses the king and reports that Sampāti, at that moment, heard something extremely unpleasant and distressing, setting up Sampāti’s ensuing reaction and the next turn in the story.