Shloka 20
Pṛthā’s Atithi-Sevā and the Gift of the Deva-Āhvāna Mantra (पृथायाः अतिथिसेवा तथा देवाह्वानमन्त्रप्रदानम्)
त॑ं दृष्टवा वृत्रसंकाशं कुम्भकर्ण तरस्विनम् | गतासुं पतितं भूमौ राक्षसा: प्राद्रवन्ू भयात्,वृत्रासुरके समान वेगशाली कुम्भकर्णको प्राणशून्य होकर पृथ्वीपर पड़ा देख सब राक्षस भयके मारे भाग चले
taṁ dṛṣṭvā vṛtrasaṅkāśaṁ kumbhakarṇaṁ tarasvinam | gatāsuṁ patitaṁ bhūmau rākṣasāḥ prādravan bhayāt ||
Seeing mighty Kumbhakarṇa—terrible in appearance like Vṛtra—lying lifeless, fallen upon the earth, the rākṣasas fled in panic. The passage underscores how the fall of a formidable leader shatters the morale of his followers, and how fear swiftly overtakes those who rely on brute force rather than steadiness of purpose.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the fragility of courage rooted only in external power: when a feared champion falls, those dependent on him collapse into fear. Ethical steadiness and inner resolve are implied as more reliable than intimidation or brute strength.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes the aftermath of Kumbhakarṇa’s fall: he lies dead on the earth, and upon seeing this, the rākṣasas—terrified—scatter and flee.