Shloka 38
Sūrya’s Counsel to Karṇa on Indra’s Intended Request
Kuṇḍala–Kavaca Discourse
विचित्य दक्षिणामाशां सपर्वतवनाकराम् | श्रान्ता: काले व्यतीते सम दृष्टवन्तो महागुहाम्,“पर्वत, वन तथा आकरोंसहित सम्पूर्ण दक्षिण दिशामें श्रीसीताजीका अनुसंधान करके जब हमलोग थक गये और यहाँ लौटनेका समय व्यतीत हो गया, तब हमें एक बहुत बड़ी गुफा दिखायी दी
vicitya dakṣiṇām āśāṃ sa-parvata-vanākarām | śrāntāḥ kāle vyatīte sma dṛṣṭavanto mahā-guhām ||
‘After searching the entire southern quarter—together with its mountains, forests, and mines—we grew weary. And when the time for returning had already passed, we came upon a vast cavern.’
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights perseverance in carrying out one’s assigned duty: even after exhaustive effort and missed timing, the search continues and leads to an unexpected discovery, suggesting that steadfast effort can open new paths.
The speaker recounts that, after thoroughly searching the southern region—its mountains, forests, and mineral tracts—the group became exhausted; when the return time had already elapsed, they encountered a huge cave.