Shloka 9
Pṛthā’s Atithi-Sevā and the Gift of the Deva-Āhvāna Mantra (पृथायाः अतिथिसेवा तथा देवाह्वानमन्त्रप्रदानम्)
स महात्मा महावेग: कुम्भकर्णस्य मूर्थनि
sa mahātmā mahāvegaḥ kumbhakarṇasya mūrdhani
Sang pahlawan berhati agung itu melesat dengan daya yang dahsyat menuju kepala Kumbhakarṇa.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The line highlights a common epic ethical contrast: true greatness (mahātmā) is associated with purposeful, disciplined power, while the opponent (here, Kumbhakarṇa) represents overwhelming but morally unrefined force. Strength gains moral meaning through the character and intent of the one who wields it.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a moment of combat in which a great-souled, high-velocity warrior makes contact with—specifically, reaches or strikes—the head of Kumbhakarṇa, emphasizing the intensity and immediacy of the encounter.