Shloka 4
Sāvitrī–Satyavān Vivāha: Kanyāpradāna and Āśrama-Śīla (सावित्री-सत्यवान्विवाहः)
किमिहागमने चापि कार्य ते राक्षसेश्वर । कृतमित्येव तद् विद्धि यद्यपि स्यात् सुदुष्करम्,'राक्षसराज! कौन-सा ऐसा कार्य आ गया है, जिसके लिये तुम्हें यहाँतक आना पड़ा? यदि वह मेरेद्वारा साथ्य है तो कितना ही कठिन क्यों न हो, उसे किया हुआ ही समझो”
kim ihāgamane cāpi kārya te rākṣaseśvara | kṛtam ity eva tad viddhi yady api syāt suduṣkaram ||
Wika ni Mārkaṇḍeya: “O panginoon ng mga rākṣasa, anong gawain ang sumapit at ikaw ay naparito hanggang dito? Kung ito’y nasa aking kaya, gaano man kahirap, ituring mo na itong nagawa na.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
A sage’s ethical stance is shown through fearless hospitality and readiness to help: when approached—even by a fearsome being—one should first ask the purpose and, if it is within one’s capacity and righteous to do so, offer firm assurance and support despite difficulty.
Mārkaṇḍeya addresses a Rākṣasa ruler who has come to him. He inquires what urgent task has compelled the visit and promises that, if the matter is achievable through him, it should be considered already accomplished, even if it is extremely hard.