Shloka 33

Karṇa–Sūrya Saṃvāda: Satya, Dāna, and the Amoghā Śakti (कर्ण–सूर्यसंवादः)

Devanagari script

ततस्तु राजवचनादू राक्षसा: कामरूपिण: । निर्ययुर्विकृताकारा: सहस्रशतसड्घश:,तदनन्तर राक्षसराज रावणकी आज्ञा पाकर इच्छानुसार रूप धारण करनेवाले राक्षस लाख-लाखकी टोली बनाकर नगरसे बाहर निकले। उन सबकी आकृति बड़ी विकराल थी

Transliteration

tatastu rājavacanād rākṣasāḥ kāmarūpiṇaḥ | niryayur vikṛtākārāḥ sahasraśata-saṅghaśaḥ ||

Translation

Then, at the king’s command, the shape-shifting rākṣasas set out. Assuming forms at will, they poured forth in companies by the hundreds and thousands, their appearances grotesque and terrifying—an image of power unrestrained by dharma, where obedience to a ruler’s order becomes an instrument of intimidation and harm.

Word by Word

ततःthen, thereafter

तुbut/indeed

राजवचनात्from the king's command/words

राक्षसाःthe demons (rakshasas)

कामरूपिणःable to assume forms at will

निर्ययुःwent out, issued forth

विकृताकाराःhaving grotesque/changed forms

सहस्रशतसङ्घशःin groups by thousands and hundreds

Speaker

मार्कण्डेय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Mārkaṇḍeya (speaker)

rājā (the king, unnamed in this verse)

rākṣasāḥ (rākṣasas)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights how sheer power—especially when backed by royal command—can mobilize destructive forces. It implicitly warns that authority without dharma turns obedience into a vehicle for terror rather than protection.

What is happening in the narrative?

Mārkaṇḍeya describes rākṣasas who, on the king’s order, emerge from the city in enormous bands. They are kāmarūpin (able to take any form) and appear in frightening, distorted shapes, signaling an impending threat or assault.