Shloka 17
Adhyāya 290: Kuntī’s Mantra-Parīkṣā and the Appearance of Sūrya (कुन्ती–सूर्यसंवादः)
तमचिन्त्य प्रहारं स बलवान् वालिन: सुत:
tam acintya prahāraṃ sa balavān vālināḥ sutaḥ
Markandeya said: The mighty son of Vāli, having contemplated that unimaginable blow, steadied himself—recognizing the gravity of the strike and the peril it signified. The moment underscores how true strength is shown not only in force, but in clear judgment when faced with sudden, overwhelming danger.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that real power includes discernment: when confronted with an extraordinary threat, a hero must first comprehend its seriousness and respond with steadiness rather than impulsiveness.
Markandeya describes a pivotal instant in which Vāli’s powerful son registers an inconceivable strike (prahāra) and prepares himself in response, indicating a sudden escalation in the encounter.