Shloka 42
सूर्य–कर्णोपदेशः
Sūrya’s Counsel to Karṇa on Kīrti and the Kuṇḍala
स यत् काष्ठ तृणं वापि शिलां वा क्षेप्स्यते मयि । सर्व तद् धारयिष्यामि स ते सेतुर्भविष्यति,“वह अपने हाथसे उठाकर जो भी काठ, तिनका या पत्थर मेरे भीतर डाल देगा, वह सब मैं जलके ऊपर-धारण किये रहूँगा। वही तुम्हारे लिये पुल हो जायगा”
sa yat kāṣṭha-tṛṇaṃ vāpi śilāṃ vā kṣepsyate mayi | sarvaṃ tad dhārayiṣyāmi sa te setur bhaviṣyati ||
Mārkaṇḍeya dijo: «Cualquier trozo de madera, brizna de hierba o piedra que él arroje en mí, yo lo sostendré todo sobre las aguas. Esa misma masa será vuestro puente.»
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even the smallest offering or effort, when placed with trust in a sustaining power, can become the means of crossing a great obstacle; steadfast support and assurance transform scattered materials into a path.
Mārkaṇḍeya reports a promise: whatever wood, grass, or stones are thrown into the speaker’s body (as into the waters), he will hold them afloat so that they accumulate into a bridge for the intended crossing.