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
sa yat kāṣṭha-tṛṇaṃ vāpi śilāṃ vā kṣepsyate mayi | sarvaṃ tad dhārayiṣyāmi sa te setur bhaviṣyati ||
Mārkaṇḍeya dit : «Qu’il jette en moi un morceau de bois, un brin d’herbe ou une pierre, je porterai le tout à la surface des eaux. Cet amas même deviendra votre pont.»
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.