Shloka 67
Sūrya’s Counsel to Karṇa on Indra’s Intended Request
Kuṇḍala–Kavaca Discourse
अवैमि त्वां हनूमन्तमविन्ध्यवचनादहम् । अविन्ध्यो हि महाबाहो राक्षसो वृद्धसम्मत:,“तदनन्तर सीताने दो घड़ीतक कुछ सोचकर मुझसे इस प्रकार कहा--“महाबाहो! मैं अविन्ध्यके कहनेसे यह विश्वास करती हूँ कि तुम हनुमान् हो। अविन्ध्य राक्षसकुलमें उत्पन्न होते हुए भी वृद्ध एवं आदरणीय हैं
avaimi tvāṃ hanūmantam avindhyavacanād aham | avindhyo hi mahābāho rākṣaso vṛddhasammataḥ ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “I recognize you as Hanūmān on the strength of Avindhya’s words. For Avindhya, O mighty-armed one, though a Rākṣasa, is regarded as an elder and is respected as an authority.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Reliable knowledge can rest on credible testimony: the verse highlights how the word of a respected elder (vṛddhasammata) carries ethical and social authority, even when the elder belongs to a different or stigmatized group.
The speaker states that he recognizes the other person as Hanūmān because Avindhya has affirmed it; Avindhya’s statement is trusted since he is considered a venerable and respected elder despite being a Rākṣasa.