Shloka 31
Kuntī–Sūrya-saṃvāda: Autonomy, Reputation, and the Promise of Karṇa
नहि ते विक्रमे तुल्य: साक्षादपि शतक्रतुः । असबृद्धि त्वया सेन्द्रास्त्रासितास्त्रिदशा युधि,'साक्षात् इन्द्र भी पराक्रममें आपकी समानता नहीं कर सकते। आपने अनेक बार युद्धमें इन्द्रसहित संपूर्ण देवताओंको भयभीत (एवं पराजित) किया है”
nahi te vikrame tulyaḥ sākṣād api śatakratuḥ | asabṛddhi tvayā sendrās trāsitās tridāśā yudhi ||
Dijo Mārkaṇḍeya: «En proeza nadie es tu igual—ni siquiera Śatakratu (Indra) en persona. Una y otra vez, en la batalla, has infundido temor a los dioses, aun con Indra entre ellos, y los has vencido.»
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores extraordinary heroism that surpasses even the king of gods, while implicitly reminding that worldly and even divine power can be challenged; true greatness is recognized through deeds, yet such praise also invites the ethical question of how power is used.
Mārkaṇḍeya is addressing a mighty figure and extolling his unmatched martial prowess, stating that even Indra cannot equal him and that he has repeatedly terrified and defeated the gods in battle.