Shloka 31
Kuntī–Sūrya-saṃvāda: Autonomy, Reputation, and the Promise of Karṇa
नहि ते विक्रमे तुल्य: साक्षादपि शतक्रतुः । असबृद्धि त्वया सेन्द्रास्त्रासितास्त्रिदशा युधि,'साक्षात् इन्द्र भी पराक्रममें आपकी समानता नहीं कर सकते। आपने अनेक बार युद्धमें इन्द्रसहित संपूर्ण देवताओंको भयभीत (एवं पराजित) किया है”
nahi te vikrame tulyaḥ sākṣād api śatakratuḥ | asabṛddhi tvayā sendrās trāsitās tridāśā yudhi ||
Mārkaṇḍeya berkata: “Dalam keperkasaan tiada yang setara denganmu—bahkan Śatakratu (Indra) sendiri pun tidak. Berkali-kali di medan perang engkau telah menakutkan para dewa, sekalipun Indra bersama mereka, dan engkau menewaskan mereka.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores extraordinary heroism that surpasses even the king of gods, while implicitly reminding that worldly and even divine power can be challenged; true greatness is recognized through deeds, yet such praise also invites the ethical question of how power is used.
Mārkaṇḍeya is addressing a mighty figure and extolling his unmatched martial prowess, stating that even Indra cannot equal him and that he has repeatedly terrified and defeated the gods in battle.