Shloka 33

Kuntī–Sūrya-saṃvāda: Autonomy, Reputation, and the Promise of Karṇa

Devanagari script

निर्याणे स मतिं कृत्वा निधायासिं क्षपाचर: । आज्ञापयामास तदा रथो मे कल्प्यतामिति,फिर उस निशाचरने युद्धके लिये प्रस्थान करनेका निश्चय करके तलवार रख दी और आज्ञा दी--'मैरा रथ तैयार किया जाय'

Transliteration

niryāṇe sa matiṁ kṛtvā nidhāyāsiṁ kṣapācaraḥ | ājñāpayāmāsa tadā ratho me kalpyatām iti ||

Translation

युद्ध के लिए प्रस्थान करने का निश्चय कर उस निशाचर ने अपनी तलवार रख दी और तब आज्ञा दी—“मेरा रथ तैयार किया जाए।”

Word by Word

निर्याणेin/at the departure (setting out)

सःhe

मतिम्intention, resolve

कृत्वाhaving made (having resolved)

निधायhaving placed/laid down

असिम्sword

क्षपाचरःnight-roamer (demon)

आज्ञापयामासcommanded, ordered

तदाthen

रथःchariot

मेmy

कल्प्यताम्let (it) be made ready / be prepared

इतिthus (quotative)

Speaker

मार्कण्डेय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Mārkaṇḍeya

kṣapācara (a rākṣasa/night-roamer)

sword (asi)

chariot (ratha)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse underscores intentionality and discipline: before entering conflict, one should form a clear resolve and then proceed through proper preparation and orderly command rather than impulsive violence.

What is happening in the narrative?

Mārkaṇḍeya narrates that a rākṣasa, deciding to depart for battle, sets down his sword and orders that his chariot be readied, signaling the start of a martial expedition.