Shloka 24
सूर्य–कर्णोपदेशः
Sūrya’s Counsel to Karṇa on Kīrti and the Kuṇḍala
उपाय: को नु भवतां मतः सागरलड्घने । इयं हि महती सेना सागरश्नातिदुस्तर:,“मित्रो! हमारी यह सेना बहुत बड़ी है और सामने अत्यन्त दुस्तर महासागर लहरें ले रहा है। ऐशी दशामें आपलोग समुद्रके पार जानेके लिये कौन-सा उपाय ठीक समझते हैं?
upāyaḥ ko nu bhavatāṃ mataḥ sāgara-laṅghane | iyaṃ hi mahatī senā sāgaraś cātidustaraḥ ||
Mārkaṇḍeya nói: “Theo ý các ngươi, nên dùng phương kế nào để vượt biển? Bởi đạo quân này thật lớn, còn biển trước mặt thì vô cùng khó qua.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent leadership: before undertaking a major undertaking that affects many (a vast army), one must realistically assess obstacles and seek an appropriate, well-considered means rather than acting on impulse.
Mārkaṇḍeya addresses others in counsel, pointing out that the host is large and the ocean is extremely difficult to cross, and asks what plan or method they consider suitable for getting across.