Shloka 8

Devanagari script

मध्ये राक्षसकोटीनां बह्दीनां सुमहाबल: । शुशुभे मेघमालाभिरादित्य इव संवृत:,(श्रीरामचन्द्रजीकी आज्ञासे) महाबली अंगद दूत बनकर लंकापुरीके द्वारपर आये। राक्षतराज रावणको उनके आगमनकी सूचना दी गयी। फिर अनुमति मिलनेपर उन्होंने निर्भय होकर पुरीमें प्रवेश किया। अनेक करोड़ राक्षसोंके बीचमें जाते हुए अंगद मेघोंकी घटासे घिरे हुए सूर्यदेवके समान सुशोभित हो रहे थे

Transliteration

madhye rākṣasakoṭīnāṃ bahvīnāṃ sumahābalaḥ | śuśubhe meghamālābhir āditya iva saṃvṛtaḥ ||

Translation

Mārkaṇḍeya said: In the midst of countless hosts of rākṣasas, that exceedingly mighty one shone forth—like the Sun veiled by garlands of clouds. The scene underscores fearless duty in diplomacy: a righteous envoy moves unshaken among enemies, his inner strength and purpose making him radiant even when surrounded by threat.

Word by Word

मध्येin the midst

राक्षस-कोटीनाम्of crores of demons

बह्वीनाम्of many

सुमहा-बलःvery great in strength

शुशुभेshone; appeared splendid

मेघ-मालाभिःwith garlands/masses of clouds

आदित्यःthe Sun

इवlike; as if

संवृतःcovered; enveloped

Speaker

मार्कण्डेय उवाच

Characters & Entities

Mārkaṇḍeya

rākṣasas

Āditya (Sun)

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?

True strength in dharma is not merely physical power but steadfastness of purpose: even when surrounded by hostile forces, one who acts rightly—especially in a mission of counsel or diplomacy—remains inwardly fearless and outwardly radiant.

What is happening in the narrative?

Mārkaṇḍeya describes a mighty figure moving amid vast numbers of rākṣasas, whose splendor is compared to the Sun obscured by cloud-masses—visible and impressive even while surrounded.