Shloka 656
Sūrya’s Counsel to Karṇa on Indra’s Intended Request
Kuṇḍala–Kavaca Discourse
प्रत्ययं कुरु मे देवि वानरो5स्मि न राक्षस: । “उनके मित्र होनेके नाते सुग्रीव भी आपका कुशल-मंगल पूछते हैं। आपके स्वामी भगवान् श्रीराम सम्पूर्ण वानरोंकी सेनाके साथ शीघ्र यहाँ पधारेंगे। देवि! मेरा विश्वास कीजिये। मैं राक्षस नहीं, वानर हूँ”
pratyayaṁ kuru me devi vānaro'smi na rākṣasaḥ |
Wika ni Mārkaṇḍeya: “O diyosa, magtiwala ka sa akin. Ako’y isang vanara, hindi rākṣasa. Bilang kaibigan at kakamping nagmamalasakit sa iyong kaligtasan, si Sugrīva man ay nagtatanong ng iyong kapayapaan at kagalingan. Ang iyong panginoon, si Bhagavān Śrī Rāma, ay darating dito sa lalong madaling panahon kasama ang buong hukbo ng mga vanara. O diyosa, maniwala ka—tapat at mapagkalinga ang aking hangarin, hindi mapanlinlang.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharmic communication: when approaching someone fearful or vulnerable, one should speak truthfully, offer clear assurance, and identify oneself honestly to remove suspicion—trust is built through transparency and benevolent intent.
A messenger reassures a noble lady addressed as ‘Devī’ that he is a vanara ally, not a rākṣasa enemy, and conveys that Sugrīva sends greetings and that Śrī Rāma will soon arrive with the full vanara force.