The Marriage of Madalasa

Verse 1 (markandeya.21.1)

पितोवाच गालवेन समं गत्वा नृपपुत्रेण तेन यत् । कृतं तत् कथ्यतां पुत्रौ विचित्रा युवयोः कथा॥ 21.1 ॥

pitovāca gālavena samaṁ gatvā nṛpaputreṇa tena yat kṛtaṁ tat kathyatāṁ putrau vicitrā yuvayoḥ kathā

O my sons, tell me what was done by that prince together with Galava; your story is truly wondrous.

Verse 2 (markandeya.21.2)

पुत्रावूचतुः स गालवाश्रमे रम्ये तिष्ठन् भूपालनन्दनः । सर्वविघ्रोपशमनं चकार ब्रह्मवादिनाम्॥ 21.2 ॥

putrāvūcatuḥ sa gālavāśrame ramye tiṣṭhan bhūpālanandanaḥ sarvavighropaśamanaṁ cakāra brahmavādinām

That prince, dwelling in Galava's charming hermitage, would remove every obstacle besetting the Vedic sages there.

Verse 3 (markandeya.21.3)

वीरं कुवलयाश्वं तं वसन्तं गालवाश्रमे । मदावलेपोपहतो नाजानाद्दानवाधमः॥ 21.3 ॥

vīraṁ kuvalayāśvaṁ taṁ vasantaṁ gālavāśrame madāvalepopahato nājānāddānavādhamaḥ

That vile demon, blinded by his own arrogance, did not know that the hero Kuvalayashva was dwelling right there in Galava's hermitage.

Verse 4 (markandeya.21.4)

ततस्तं गालवं विप्रं सन्ध्योपासनतत्परम् । शौकरं रूपमास्थाय प्रधर्षयितुमागतम्॥ 21.4 ॥

tatastaṁ gālavaṁ vipraṁ sandhyopāsanatatparam śaukaraṁ rūpamāsthāya pradharṣayitumāgatam

Then, assuming the form of a boar, he came to assail the brahmana Galava, who was absorbed in his evening worship.

Verse 5 (markandeya.21.5)

मुनिशिष्यैरथोत्क्रुष्टे शीघ्रमारुह्य तं हयम् । अन्वधावद्वराहं तं नृपपुत्रः शरासनी॥ 21.5 ॥

muniśiṣyairathotkruṣṭe śīghramāruhya taṁ hayam anvadhāvadvarāhaṁ taṁ nṛpaputraḥ śarāsanī

When the sage's disciples cried out in alarm, the prince quickly mounted his horse, bow in hand, and gave chase to that boar.

Verse 6 (markandeya.21.6)

आजघान च बाणेन चन्द्रार्धाकारवर्चसा । आकृष्य बलवच्चापं चारुचित्रोपशोभितम्॥ 21.6 ॥

ājaghāna ca bāṇena candrārdhākāravarcasā ākṛṣya balavaccāpaṁ cārucitropaśobhitam

Drawing his powerful bow, beautifully adorned, he struck it with an arrow whose crescent tip gleamed like the half-moon.

Verse 7 (markandeya.21.7)

नाराचाभिहतः शीघ्रमात्मत्राणपरो मृगः । गिरिपादपसम्बाधां सोऽन्वक्रामन्महाटवीम्॥ 21.7 ॥

nārācābhihataḥ śīghramātmatrāṇaparo mṛgaḥ giripādapasambādhāṁ so ’nvakrāmanmahāṭavīm

Struck by the iron shaft, the creature, seeking only to save itself, fled swiftly into a vast forest thick with mountains and trees.

Verse 8 (markandeya.21.8)

तमन्वधावद्वेगेन तुरगोऽसौ मनोजवः । चोदितो राजपुत्रेण पितुरादेशकारिणा॥ 21.8 ॥

tamanvadhāvadvegena turago ’sau manojavaḥ codito rājaputreṇa piturādeśakāriṇā

Urged on by the prince, who was there in obedience to his father's command, that horse swift as thought pursued it at full speed.

Verse 9 (markandeya.21.9)

अतिक्रम्याथ वेगेन योजनानि सहस्रशः । धरण्यां विवृते गर्ते निपपात लघुक्रमः॥ 21.9 ॥

atikramyātha vegena yojanāni sahasraśaḥ dharaṇyāṁ vivṛte garte nipapāta laghukramaḥ

Racing swiftly past thousands of leagues, that nimble creature plunged into a chasm that had opened up in the earth.

Verse 10 (markandeya.21.10)

तस्यानन्तरमेवाशु सोऽप्यश्वी नृपतेः सुतः । निपपात महागर्ते तिमिरौघसमावृते॥ 21.10 ॥

tasyānantaramevāśu so ’pyaśvī nṛpateḥ sutaḥ nipapāta mahāgarte timiraughasamāvṛte

Right behind it, the king's son on horseback also fell into that vast chasm, engulfed in waves of darkness.

Verse 11 (markandeya.21.11)

ततो नादृश्यत मृगः स तस्मिन् राजसूनुना । प्रकाशञ्च स पातालमपश्यत् तत्र नापि नम्॥ 21.11 ॥

tato nādṛśyata mṛgaḥ sa tasmin rājasūnunā prakāśañca sa pātālamapaśyat tatra nāpi nam

Then the prince could no longer see that creature there, and instead he beheld a radiant Patala, such as he had never seen before.

Verse 12 (markandeya.21.12)

ततोऽपश्यत् स सौवर्ण-प्रासादशतसंकुलम् । पुरन्दरपुरप्रख्यं पुरं प्राकारशोभितम्॥ 21.12 ॥

tato ’paśyat sa sauvarṇa-prāsādaśatasaṁkulam purandarapuraprakhyaṁ puraṁ prākāraśobhitam

Then he saw a city crowded with hundreds of golden mansions, famed like Indra's own city, and adorned with ramparts.

Verse 13 (markandeya.21.13)

तत् प्रविश्य स नापश्यत् तत्र कञ्चिन्नरं पुरे । भ्रमता च ततो दृष्टा तत्र योषित् त्वरान्विता॥ 21.13 ॥

tat praviśya sa nāpaśyat tatra kañcinnaraṁ pure bhramatā ca tato dṛṣṭā tatra yoṣit tvarānvitā

Entering the city, he found no man there at all; but as he wandered about, he caught sight of a woman hurrying by.

Verse 14 (markandeya.21.14)

सा पृष्टा तेन तन्वङ्गी प्रस्थिता केन कस्य वा । नोवाच किञ्चित् प्रासादमारुरोह च भामिनी॥ 21.14 ॥

sā pṛṣṭā tena tanvaṅgī prasthitā kena kasya vā novāca kiñcit prāsādamāruroha ca bhāminī

When he asked that slender, radiant woman where she was going and on whose account, she said nothing at all and climbed up into a mansion.

Verse 15 (markandeya.21.15)

सोऽप्यश्वमेकतो बद्ध्वा तामेवानुससार वै । विस्मयोत्फुल्लनयनो निः शङ्को नृपतेः सुतः॥ 21.15 ॥

so ’pyaśvamekato baddhvā tāmevānusasāra vai vismayotphullanayano niḥ śaṅko nṛpateḥ sutaḥ

Tethering his horse to one side, the prince followed close behind her, his eyes wide with wonder, and quite without fear.

Verse 16 (markandeya.21.16)

ततोऽपश्यत् सुविस्तीर्णे पर्यङ्के सर्वकाञ्चने । निषण्णां कन्यकामेकां कामयुक्तां रतीमिव॥ 21.16 ॥

tato ’paśyat suvistīrṇe paryaṅke sarvakāñcane niṣaṇṇāṁ kanyakāmekāṁ kāmayuktāṁ ratīmiva

Then he saw, seated upon a vast couch made wholly of gold, a maiden as full of passion as Rati herself.

Verse 17 (markandeya.21.17)

विस्पष्टेन्दुमुखीं सुभ्रूं पीनश्रोणिपयोधराम् । बिम्बाधरोष्ठीं नन्वङ्गीं नीलोत्पलविलोचनाम्॥ 21.17 ॥

vispaṣṭendumukhīṁ subhrūṁ pīnaśroṇipayodharām bimbādharoṣṭhīṁ nanvaṅgīṁ nīlotpalavilocanām

Her face shone bright as the moon, her brows were finely arched, her hips and breasts were full, her lips red as the bimba fruit, her limbs flawless, and her eyes like blue lotuses.

Verse 18 (markandeya.21.18)

रक्ततुङ्गनखीं श्यामां मृद्वीं ताम्रकराङ्घ्रिकाम् । करभोरुं सुदशनां नीलसूक्ष्मस्थिरालकाम्॥ 21.18 ॥

raktatuṅganakhīṁ śyāmāṁ mṛdvīṁ tāmrakarāṅghrikām karabhoruṁ sudaśanāṁ nīlasūkṣmasthirālakām

Her nails were red and raised, her complexion dark and lovely, her body soft, her hands and feet the hue of copper, her thighs like an elephant's trunk, her teeth fine, and her fine, dark hair curled close.

Verse 19 (markandeya.21.19)

तां दृष्ट्वा चारुसर्वाङ्गीमनङ्गाङ्गलतामिव । सोऽमन्यत् पार्थिवसुतस्तां रसातलदेवताम्॥ 21.19 ॥

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā cārusarvāṅgīmanaṅgāṅgalatāmiva so ’manyat pārthivasutastāṁ rasātaladevatām

Seeing her, lovely in every limb as though she were a very creeper grown from the body of Kama, the prince took her to be a goddess of the netherworld.

Verse 20 (markandeya.21.20)

सा च दृष्ट्वैव तं बाला नीलकुञ्चितमूर्धजम् । पीनोरुस्कन्धबाहुं तममंस्त मदनं शुभा॥ 21.20 ॥

sā ca dṛṣṭvaiva taṁ bālā nīlakuñcitamūrdhajam pīnoruskandhabāhuṁ tamamaṁsta madanaṁ śubhā

And that beautiful young woman, seeing his dark curling hair and his full thighs, shoulders and arms, took him for Kama himself.

Verse 21 (markandeya.21.21)

उत्तस्थौ च महाभागा चित्तक्षोभमवाप्य सा । लज्जाविस्मयदैन्यानां सद्यस्तन्वी वशं गता॥ 21.21 ॥

uttasthau ca mahābhāgā cittakṣobhamavāpya sā lajjāvismayadainyānāṁ sadyastanvī vaśaṁ gatā

That fortunate maiden rose, her mind thrown into turmoil, and the slender girl at once fell under the sway of shame, astonishment and helplessness.

Verse 22 (markandeya.21.22)

कोऽयं देवो नु यक्षो वा गन्धर्वो वोरगोऽपि वा । विद्याधरो वा सम्प्राप्तः कृतपुण्यरतिर्नरः॥ 21.22 ॥

ko ’yaṁ devo nu yakṣo vā gandharvo vorago ’pi vā vidyādharo vā samprāptaḥ kṛtapuṇyaratirnaraḥ

Who could this be — a god, a yaksha, a gandharva, or a serpent-lord? Or a vidyadhara, or perhaps a man of great merit come here in pursuit of love?

Verse 23 (markandeya.21.23)

एवं विचिन्त्य वहुधा निश्वस्य च महीतले । उपविश्य ततो भेजे सा मूर्च्छां मदिरक्षणा॥ 21.23 ॥

evaṁ vicintya vahudhā niśvasya ca mahītale upaviśya tato bheje sā mūrcchāṁ madirakṣaṇā

Turning this over in her mind again and again, and sighing deeply, that doe-eyed girl sank down upon the ground and fell into a swoon.

Verse 24 (markandeya.21.24)

सोऽपि कामशराघातमवाप्य नृपतेः सुतः । तां समाश्वासयामास न भेतव्यमिति ब्रुवन्॥ 21.24 ॥

so ’pi kāmaśarāghātamavāpya nṛpateḥ sutaḥ tāṁ samāśvāsayāmāsa na bhetavyamiti bruvan

The prince too, himself struck by the arrows of Kama, comforted her, saying, 'There is nothing to fear.'

Verse 25 (markandeya.21.25)

सा च स्त्री या तदा दृष्टा पूर्वं तेन महात्मना । तालवृन्तमुपादाय पर्यवीजयदाकुला॥ 21.25 ॥

sā ca strī yā tadā dṛṣṭā pūrvaṁ tena mahātmanā tālavṛntamupādāya paryavījayadākulā

And the woman he had seen earlier, that same attendant, now took up a fan and, in her agitation, began fanning the fainting girl.

Verse 26 (markandeya.21.26)

समाश्वास्य तदा पृष्टा तेन संमोहकारणम् । किञ्चिल्लज्जान्विता बाला तस्याः सख्युर्न्यवेदयत्॥ 21.26 ॥

samāśvāsya tadā pṛṣṭā tena saṁmohakāraṇam kiñcillajjānvitā bālā tasyāḥ sakhyurnyavedayat

When she had recovered and he asked the cause of her fainting, the maiden, somewhat abashed, told it instead to her companion.

Verse 27 (markandeya.21.27)

सा चास्मै कथयामास नृपपुत्राय विस्तरात् । मोहस्य कारणं सर्वं तद्दर्शनसमुद्भवम् । यथा तया समाख्यातं तद्वृत्तान्तञ्च भामिनी॥ 21.27 ॥

sā cāsmai kathayāmāsa nṛpaputrāya vistarāt mohasya kāraṇaṁ sarvaṁ taddarśanasamudbhavam yathā tayā samākhyātaṁ tadvṛttāntañca bhāminī

And that attendant related to the prince at length the whole story — the cause of the swoon that had arisen at the very sight of him, just as the fair maiden had confided it to her.

Verse 28 (markandeya.21.28)

स्त्र्युवाच विश्वावसुरिति ख्यातो दिवि गन्धर्वराट् प्रभो । तस्येयमात्मजा सुभ्रूर्नाम्ना ख्याता मदालसा॥ 21.28 ॥

stryuvāca viśvāvasuriti khyāto divi gandharvarāṭ prabho tasyeyamātmajā subhrūrnāmnā khyātā madālasā

There is, my lord, a renowned king of the gandharvas in heaven named Vishvavasu; this fair-browed girl is his daughter, known by the name Madalasa.

Verse 29 (markandeya.21.29)

वज्रकेतोः सुतश्चोग्रो दानवोऽरिविदारणः । पातालकेतुर्विख्यातः पातालान्तरसंश्रयः॥ 21.29 ॥

vajraketoḥ sutaścogro dānavo ’rividāraṇaḥ pātālaketurvikhyātaḥ pātālāntarasaṁśrayaḥ

There is a fierce demon, son of Vajraketu, a render of enemies, renowned as Patalaketu, who dwells deep within Patala.

Verse 30 (markandeya.21.30)

तेनेयमुद्यानगता कृत्वा मायां तमोमयीम् । अपहृत्य मयां हीना बाला नीता दुरात्मना॥ 21.30 ॥

teneyamudyānagatā kṛtvā māyāṁ tamomayīm apahṛtya mayāṁ hīnā bālā nītā durātmanā

That evil-minded demon, weaving an illusion of darkness, abducted this helpless girl while she was in a garden and brought her here, undefended.

Verse 31 (markandeya.21.31)

आगामिन्यां त्रयोदश्यामुद्वक्ष्यति किलासुरः । स तु नार्हति चार्वङ्गीं शूद्रो वेदश्रुतीमिव॥ 21.31 ॥

āgāminyāṁ trayodaśyāmudvakṣyati kilāsuraḥ sa tu nārhati cārvaṅgīṁ śūdro vedaśrutīmiva

On the coming thirteenth day, that demon means to marry her; but he no more deserves this lovely girl than a shudra deserves to hear the Veda.

Verse 32 (markandeya.21.32)

अतीते च दिने बालामात्मव्यापदनोद्यताम् । सुरभिः प्राह नायं त्वं प्राप्स्यते दानवाधमः॥ 21.32 ॥

atīte ca dine bālāmātmavyāpadanodyatām surabhiḥ prāha nāyaṁ tvaṁ prāpsyate dānavādhamaḥ

A day earlier, when the girl was resolved to end her own life, the divine cow Surabhi said to her, 'This vile demon shall never have you.'

Verse 33 (markandeya.21.33)

मर्त्यलोकमनुप्राप्तं य एनं छेत्स्यते शरैः । सते भर्ता महाभागे अचिरेण भविष्यति॥ 21.33 ॥

martyalokamanuprāptaṁ ya enaṁ chetsyate śaraiḥ sate bhartā mahābhāge acireṇa bhaviṣyati

'O fortunate one, the man who comes here from the world of mortals and cuts him down with arrows will soon become your husband.'

Verse 34 (markandeya.21.34)

अहं चास्याः सखी नाम्नरा कुण्डलेति मनस्विनी । सुता विन्ध्यवतः पत्नी वीरपुष्करमालिनः॥ 21.34 ॥

ahaṁ cāsyāḥ sakhī nāmnarā kuṇḍaleti manasvinī sutā vindhyavataḥ patnī vīrapuṣkaramālinaḥ

'I am her friend, a spirited woman named Kundala; I am the daughter of Vindhyavat and the wife of the hero Pushkaramalin.'

Verse 35 (markandeya.21.35)

हते भर्तरि शुम्भेन तीर्थात् तीर्थमनुव्रता । चरामि दिव्यया गत्या परलोकार्थमुद्यता॥ 21.35 ॥

hate bhartari śumbhena tīrthāt tīrthamanuvratā carāmi divyayā gatyā paralokārthamudyatā

'Since my husband was slain by Shumbha, I have wandered from sacred site to sacred site, moving by my divine power, striving now for the world beyond.'

Verse 36 (markandeya.21.36)

पातालकेतुर्दुष्टात्मा वाराहं वपुरास्थितः । केनापि विद्धो बाणेन मुनीनां त्राणकारणात्॥ 21.36 ॥

pātālaketurduṣṭātmā vārāhaṁ vapurāsthitaḥ kenāpi viddho bāṇena munīnāṁ trāṇakāraṇāt

'That evil-souled Patalaketu had taken the form of a boar, and was struck by someone's arrow for the sake of protecting the sages.'

Verse 37 (markandeya.21.37)

तञ्चाहं तत्त्वतोऽन्विष्य त्वरिता समुपागता । सत्यमेव स केनापि ताडितो दानवाधमः॥ 21.37 ॥

tañcāhaṁ tattvato ’nviṣya tvaritā samupāgatā satyameva sa kenāpi tāḍito dānavādhamaḥ

'Searching to learn the truth of this, I hurried here; and indeed that vile demon has truly been struck down by someone.'

Verse 38 (markandeya.21.38)

इयञ्च मूर्च्छामगमत् कारणं यत् शृणुष्व तत् । त्वयि प्रीतिमती बाला दर्शनादेव मानद॥ 21.38 ॥

iyañca mūrcchāmagamat kāraṇaṁ yat śṛṇuṣva tat tvayi prītimatī bālā darśanādeva mānada

'O honored one, hear now the reason she fainted: this girl fell in love with you the very moment she saw you.'

Verse 39 (markandeya.21.39)

देवपुत्रोपमे चारु-वाक्यादिगुणशालिनि । भर्या चान्यस्य विहिता येन विद्धः स दानवः॥ 21.39 ॥

devaputropame cāru-vākyādiguṇaśālini bharyā cānyasya vihitā yena viddhaḥ sa dānavaḥ

'O you who resemble a son of the gods, adorned with charming speech and every virtue — it was ordained that she should become the wife of none other than the one who struck down that demon.'

Verse 40 (markandeya.21.40)

एतस्मात् कारणान्मोहं महान्तमियमागता । यावज्जीवं च तन्वङ्गी दुः खमेवोपभोक्ष्यते॥ 21.40 ॥

etasmāt kāraṇānmohaṁ mahāntamiyamāgatā yāvajjīvaṁ ca tanvaṅgī duḥ khamevopabhokṣyate

'For this very reason she has fallen into so great a swoon; and this slender girl will suffer nothing but sorrow for as long as she lives —'

Verse 41 (markandeya.21.41)

त्वय्यस्या हृदयं रागि भर्ता चान्यो भविष्यति । यावज्जीवमतो दुः खं सुरभ्या नान्यथा वचः॥ 21.41 ॥

tvayyasyā hṛdayaṁ rāgi bhartā cānyo bhaviṣyati yāvajjīvamato duḥ khaṁ surabhyā nānyathā vacaḥ

'— for her heart is devoted to you, yet another will become her husband; hence her sorrow will last her whole life long, since Surabhi's word cannot prove false.'

Verse 42 (markandeya.21.42)

अहं त्वस्याः प्रभी प्रीत्या दुः खितात्र समागता । यतो विशेषो नैवास्ति स्वसखी-निजदेहयोः॥ 21.42 ॥

ahaṁ tvasyāḥ prabhī prītyā duḥ khitātra samāgatā yato viśeṣo naivāsti svasakhī-nijadehayoḥ

'I too have come here grieving out of love for her, for between one's own body and one's true friend there is truly no difference.'

Verse 43 (markandeya.21.43)

यद्येषाभिमतं वीरं पतिमाप्नोति शोभना । ततस्तपस्त्वहं कुर्यां निर्व्यलीकेन चेतसा॥ 21.43 ॥

yadyeṣābhimataṁ vīraṁ patimāpnoti śobhanā tatastapastvahaṁ kuryāṁ nirvyalīkena cetasā

'If this lovely girl obtains as her husband the hero of her desire, then I shall undertake austerities with an untroubled heart.'

Verse 44 (markandeya.21.44)

त्वन्तु को वा किमर्थं वा सम्प्राप्तोऽत्र महामते । देवो दैत्यो नु गन्धर्वः पन्नगः किन्नरोऽपि वा॥ 21.44 ॥

tvantu ko vā kimarthaṁ vā samprāpto ’tra mahāmate devo daityo nu gandharvaḥ pannagaḥ kinnaro ’pi vā

But you, O wise one — who are you, and for what purpose have you come here? Are you a god, a demon, a gandharva, a serpent, or a kinnara?

Verse 45 (markandeya.21.45)

न ह्यत्र मानुषगतिर्न चेदृङ्मानुषं वपुः । तत्त्वमाख्याहि कथितं यथैवावितथं मया॥ 21.45 ॥

na hyatra mānuṣagatirna cedṛṅmānuṣaṁ vapuḥ tattvamākhyāhi kathitaṁ yathaivāvitathaṁ mayā

For no mortal can reach this place, nor could a mortal possess such a form; so tell me the truth, just as I have told you nothing but the truth.

Verse 46 (markandeya.21.46)

कुवलयाश्व उवाच यन्मां पृच्छसि धर्मज्ञे कस्त्वं किं वा समागतः । तच्छृणुष्वामलप्रज्ञे कथयाम्यादितस्तव॥ 21.46 ॥

kuvalayāśva uvāca yanmāṁ pṛcchasi dharmajñe kastvaṁ kiṁ vā samāgataḥ tacchṛṇuṣvāmalaprajñe kathayāmyāditastava

O righteous one, as to what you ask me — who I am and why I have come — listen, O pure of mind; I shall tell you everything from the start.

Verse 47 (markandeya.21.47)

राज्ञः शत्रुजितः पुत्रः पित्रा सम्प्रेषितः शुभे । मुनिरक्षणमुद्दिश्य गालवाश्रममागतः॥ 21.47 ॥

rājñaḥ śatrujitaḥ putraḥ pitrā sampreṣitaḥ śubhe munirakṣaṇamuddiśya gālavāśramamāgataḥ

O gentle one, I am the son of King Shatrujit, sent by my father to Galava's hermitage for the purpose of protecting the sages.

Verse 48 (markandeya.21.48)

कुर्वतो मम रक्षाञ्च मुनीनां धर्मचारिणाम् । विघ्नार्थमागतः कोषऽपि शौकरं रूपमास्थितः॥ 21.48 ॥

kurvato mama rakṣāñca munīnāṁ dharmacāriṇām vighnārthamāgataḥ koṣa ’pi śaukaraṁ rūpamāsthitaḥ

While I was engaged in protecting those righteous sages, someone came to cause mischief there, having taken the form of a boar.

Verse 49 (markandeya.21.49)

मया स विद्धो बाणेन चन्द्रार्धाकारवर्च्चसा । अपक्रान्तोऽतिवेगेन तमस्म्यनुगतो हयी॥ 21.49 ॥

mayā sa viddho bāṇena candrārdhākāravarccasā apakrānto ’tivegena tamasmyanugato hayī

I struck him with an arrow whose crescent tip blazed like the half-moon; he fled at tremendous speed, and I, on horseback, pursued him.

Verse 50 (markandeya.21.50)

पपात सहसा गर्ते सक्रीडोऽश्वश्च मामकः । सोऽहमश्वं समारूढस्तमस्येकः परिभ्रमन्॥ 21.50 ॥

papāta sahasā garte sakrīḍo ’śvaśca māmakaḥ so ’hamaśvaṁ samārūḍhastamasyekaḥ paribhraman

My horse suddenly fell into that pit; and I, still mounted upon it, wandered alone through that darkness.

Verse 51 (markandeya.21.51)

प्रकाशमासादितवान् दृष्टा च भवती मया । पृष्टया च न मे किञ्चिद्भवत्या दत्तमुत्तरम्॥ 21.51 ॥

prakāśamāsāditavān dṛṣṭā ca bhavatī mayā pṛṣṭayā ca na me kiñcidbhavatyā dattamuttaram

Then I came upon this light, and I saw you; but though I questioned you, you gave me no answer at all.

Verse 52 (markandeya.21.52)

त्वाञ्चैवानुप्रविष्टोऽहमिमं प्रासादमुत्तमम् । इत्येतत् कथितं सत्यं न देवोऽहं न दानवः॥ 21.52 ॥

tvāñcaivānupraviṣṭo ’hamimaṁ prāsādamuttamam ityetat kathitaṁ satyaṁ na devo ’haṁ na dānavaḥ

And following you, I entered this fine mansion. This is the whole truth I have told you: I am neither a god nor a demon.

Verse 53 (markandeya.21.53)

न पन्नगो न गन्धर्वः किन्नरो वा शुचिस्मिते । समस्ता पूज्यपक्षो वै देवाद्या मम कुण्डले । मनुष्योऽस्मि विशङ्का ते न कर्तव्यात्र कर्हिचित्॥ 21.53 ॥

na pannago na gandharvaḥ kinnaro vā śucismite samastā pūjyapakṣo vai devādyā mama kuṇḍale manuṣyo ’smi viśaṅkā te na kartavyātra karhicit

O sweetly smiling one, I am neither a serpent, nor a gandharva, nor a kinnara. O Kundala, for me the gods and all such beings are only objects of reverence — I am a man; you need have no doubt about this at all.

Verse 54 (markandeya.21.54)

पुत्रावूचतुः ततः प्रहृष्टा सा कन्या सखीवदनमुत्तमम् । लज्जाजडं वीक्षमाणा किञ्चिन्नोवाच भामिनी॥ 21.54 ॥

putrāvūcatuḥ tataḥ prahṛṣṭā sā kanyā sakhīvadanamuttamam lajjājaḍaṁ vīkṣamāṇā kiñcinnovāca bhāminī

Then that maiden, filled with joy, gazed at her friend's lovely, shyness-struck face, and, the fair one, said nothing at all.

Verse 55 (markandeya.21.55)

सा सखी पुनरप्येनां प्रहृष्टा प्रत्युवाच ह । यथावत् कथितं तेन सुरभ्या वचनानुगे॥ 21.55 ॥

sā sakhī punarapyenāṁ prahṛṣṭā pratyuvāca ha yathāvat kathitaṁ tena surabhyā vacanānuge

That friend, too, delighted, spoke to her once more — for indeed all had come to pass just as it had been foretold by Surabhi's word.

Verse 56 (markandeya.21.56)

कुण्डलोवाच वीर सत्यमसन्दिग्धं भवताभिहितं वचः । नान्यत्र हृदयन्त्वस्या दृष्ट्वा स्थैर्यं प्रयास्यति॥ 21.56 ॥

kuṇḍalovāca vīra satyamasandigdhaṁ bhavatābhihitaṁ vacaḥ nānyatra hṛdayantvasyā dṛṣṭvā sthairyaṁ prayāsyati

O hero, what you have spoken is true beyond doubt. Having seen you, her heart will never find peace anywhere else.

Verse 57 (markandeya.21.57)

चन्द्रमेवाधिका कान्तिः समुपैति रविं प्रभा । भूतिर्धन्यं धृतिर्धोरं क्षान्तिरभ्येति चोत्तमम्॥ 21.57 ॥

candramevādhikā kāntiḥ samupaiti raviṁ prabhā bhūtirdhanyaṁ dhṛtirdhoraṁ kṣāntirabhyeti cottamam

Just as radiance naturally seeks the moon, and brilliance the sun, so does prosperity seek the fortunate, steadfastness the brave, and forbearance the noblest of men.

Verse 58 (markandeya.21.58)

त्वयैव विद्धोऽसन्दिग्धं स पापो दानवाधमः । सुरभिः सा गवां माता कथं मिथ्या वदिष्यति॥ 21.58 ॥

tvayaiva viddho ’sandigdhaṁ sa pāpo dānavādhamaḥ surabhiḥ sā gavāṁ mātā kathaṁ mithyā vadiṣyati

It was you, beyond doubt, who struck down that sinful, vile demon; for how could Surabhi, the mother of cows, ever speak falsely?

Verse 59 (markandeya.21.59)

तद्धन्येयं सभाग्या च त्वत्सम्बन्धं समेत्य वै । कुरुष्व वीर यत् कार्यं विधिनैव समाहितम्॥ 21.59 ॥

taddhanyeyaṁ sabhāgyā ca tvatsambandhaṁ sametya vai kuruṣva vīra yat kāryaṁ vidhinaiva samāhitam

So she is indeed blessed and fortunate to have found her bond with you. Now, O hero, do what fate itself has already ordained.

Verse 60 (markandeya.21.60)

पुत्रावूचतुः परवानहमित्याह राजपुत्रः सतां पितुः । सा च तं चिन्तयामास तुम्बुरुं तत्कुले गुरुम्॥ 21.60 ॥

putrāvūcatuḥ paravānahamityāha rājaputraḥ satāṁ pituḥ sā ca taṁ cintayāmāsa tumburuṁ tatkule gurum

The prince replied, 'I am subject to my father's authority.' At this, the maiden turned her thoughts to Tumburu, the family preceptor.

Verse 61 (markandeya.21.61)

स चापि तत्क्षणात् प्राप्तः प्रगृहीतसमित्कुशः । मदालसायाः सम्प्रीत्या कुण्डलागौरवेण च॥ 21.61 ॥

sa cāpi tatkṣaṇāt prāptaḥ pragṛhītasamitkuśaḥ madālasāyāḥ samprītyā kuṇḍalāgauraveṇa ca

And he too arrived at that very instant, holding sacrificial twigs and kusha grass, drawn there out of affection for Madalasa and regard for Kundala.

Verse 62 (markandeya.21.62)

प्रज्वाल्य पावकं हुत्वा मन्त्रवित् कृतमङ्गलाम् । वैवाहिकविधिं कन्यां प्रतिपाद्य यथागतम्॥ 21.62 ॥

prajvālya pāvakaṁ hutvā mantravit kṛtamaṅgalām vaivāhikavidhiṁ kanyāṁ pratipādya yathāgatam

Kindling the sacred fire and offering oblations, that master of mantras performed the auspicious rite of marriage, giving the maiden away in due form, and then departed just as he had come.

Verse 63 (markandeya.21.63)

जगाम तपसे धीमान् स्वाश्रमपदं तदा । सा चाह तां सखीं बालां कृतार्थास्मि वरानने॥ 21.63 ॥

jagāma tapase dhīmān svāśramapadaṁ tadā sā cāha tāṁ sakhīṁ bālāṁ kṛtārthāsmi varānane

That wise preceptor went off to his own hermitage to resume his austerities. Then Madalasa said to her young friend, 'O lovely-faced one, my purpose is now fulfilled.'

Verse 64 (markandeya.21.64)

संयुक्ताममुना दृष्ट्वा त्वामहं रूपशालिनीम् । तमस्तप्स्येऽहमतुलं निर्व्यलीकेन चेतसा॥ 21.64 ॥

saṁyuktāmamunā dṛṣṭvā tvāmahaṁ rūpaśālinīm tamastapsye ’hamatulaṁ nirvyalīkena cetasā

'Now that I have seen you, O beautiful one, united with him, I shall undertake incomparable austerities with an untroubled heart.'

Verse 65 (markandeya.21.65)

तीर्थाम्बुधूतपापा च भवित्री नेदृशी यथा । तञ्चाह राजपुत्रं सा प्रश्रयावनता तदा । गन्तुकामा निजसखी-स्नेहविक्लवभाषिणी॥ 21.65 ॥

tīrthāmbudhūtapāpā ca bhavitrī nedṛśī yathā tañcāha rājaputraṁ sā praśrayāvanatā tadā gantukāmā nijasakhī-snehaviklavabhāṣiṇī

'Washing away my sins in the waters of holy places, I shall no longer remain as I now am.' Then, bowing in humility, ready to depart, she spoke to the prince, her voice faltering with love for her friend.

Verse 66 (markandeya.21.66)

कुण्डलोवाच पुंभिरप्यमितप्रज्ञ नोपदेशो भवद्विधे । दातव्यः किमुत स्त्रीभिरतो नोपदिशामि ते॥ 21.66 ॥

kuṇḍalovāca puṁbhirapyamitaprajña nopadeśo bhavadvidhe dātavyaḥ kimuta strībhirato nopadiśāmi te

O you of boundless wisdom, one such as you needs no instruction even from men, let alone from women; so I shall not presume to instruct you.

Verse 67 (markandeya.21.67)

किन्त्वस्यास्तनुमध्यायाः स्नेहाकृष्टेन चेतसा । त्वया विश्रम्भिता चास्मि स्मारयाम्यरिसूदन॥ 21.67 ॥

kintvasyāstanumadhyāyāḥ snehākṛṣṭena cetasā tvayā viśrambhitā cāsmi smārayāmyarisūdana

But, O slayer of foes, since you have placed your trust in me out of the affection you bear this slender girl, I shall only remind you of a few things.

Verse 68 (markandeya.21.68)

भर्तव्या रक्षितव्या च भार्या हि पतिना सदा । धर्मार्थकामसंसिद्ध्यै भार्या भर्तृसहायिनी॥ 21.68 ॥

bhartavyā rakṣitavyā ca bhāryā hi patinā sadā dharmārthakāmasaṁsiddhyai bhāryā bhartṛsahāyinī

A wife must always be maintained and protected by her husband; for a wife is her husband's helpmate in the fulfillment of dharma, artha and kama.

Verse 69 (markandeya.21.69)

यदा भार्या च भर्ता च परस्परवशानुगौ । तदा धर्मार्थकामानां त्रयाणामपि सङ्गतम्॥ 21.69 ॥

yadā bhāryā ca bhartā ca parasparavaśānugau tadā dharmārthakāmānāṁ trayāṇāmapi saṅgatam

Only when wife and husband are each attentive to the other's wishes do dharma, artha and kama, all three, come together in harmony.

Verse 70 (markandeya.21.70)

कथं भार्यामृते धर्ममर्थं वा पुरुषः प्रभो । प्राप्नोति काममथवा तस्यां त्रितयमाहितम्॥ 21.70 ॥

kathaṁ bhāryāmṛte dharmamarthaṁ vā puruṣaḥ prabho prāpnoti kāmamathavā tasyāṁ tritayamāhitam

O lord, how can a man attain dharma, artha or kama without a wife? All three are established in her.

Verse 71 (markandeya.21.71)

तथैव भर्तारमृते भार्या धर्मादिसाधने । न समर्था त्रिवर्गोऽयं दाम्पत्यं समुपाश्रितः॥ 21.71 ॥

tathaiva bhartāramṛte bhāryā dharmādisādhane na samarthā trivargo ’yaṁ dāmpatyaṁ samupāśritaḥ

In the same way, a wife without a husband is not capable of accomplishing dharma and the rest; this threefold aim rests entirely upon the union of husband and wife.

Verse 72 (markandeya.21.72)

देवाता-पितृ-भृत्यानामतिथीनाञ्च पूजनम् । न पुंभिः शक्यते कर्तुमृते भार्यां नृपात्मज॥ 21.72 ॥

devātā-pitṛ-bhṛtyānāmatithīnāñca pūjanam na puṁbhiḥ śakyate kartumṛte bhāryāṁ nṛpātmaja

O prince, the worship of gods, ancestors, servants and guests cannot be properly performed by men without a wife.

Verse 73 (markandeya.21.73)

प्राप्तोऽपि चार्थो मनुजैरानीतोऽपी निजं गृहम् । क्षयमेति विना भार्यां कुभार्यासंश्रयेऽपि वा॥ 21.73 ॥

prāpto ’pi cārtho manujairānīto ’pī nijaṁ gṛham kṣayameti vinā bhāryāṁ kubhāryāsaṁśraye ’pi vā

Even wealth that a man has gained and brought home comes to ruin if he has no wife, or if he is bound instead to an unworthy one.

Verse 74 (markandeya.21.74)

कामस्तु तस्य नैवास्ति प्रत्यक्षेणोपलक्ष्यते । दम्पत्योः सहधर्मेण त्रयीधर्ममवाप्नुयात्॥ 21.74 ॥

kāmastu tasya naivāsti pratyakṣeṇopalakṣyate dampatyoḥ sahadharmeṇa trayīdharmamavāpnuyāt

That his desire is never truly fulfilled is plain for all to see; it is only through the shared discipline of husband and wife that the threefold Vedic dharma is attained.

Verse 75 (markandeya.21.75)

पितॄन् पुत्रैस्तथैवान्न-साधनैरतिथीन् नरः । पूजाभिरमरांस्तद्वत् साध्वीं भार्यां नरोऽवति॥ 21.75 ॥

pitṝn putraistathaivānna-sādhanairatithīn naraḥ pūjābhiramarāṁstadvat sādhvīṁ bhāryāṁ naro ’vati

It is through his sons that a man honors his ancestors, through the means of food that he honors his guests, and through worship that he honors the gods — and it is a virtuous wife who sustains a man in all of this.

Verse 76 (markandeya.21.76)

स्त्रियाश्चापि विना भर्त्रा धर्मकामार्थसन्ततिः । नैव तस्मात् त्रिवर्गोऽयं दाम्पत्यमधिगच्छति॥ 21.76 ॥

striyāścāpi vinā bhartrā dharmakāmārthasantatiḥ naiva tasmāt trivargo ’yaṁ dāmpatyamadhigacchati

Likewise, for a woman without a husband there is no attaining dharma, kama, artha or offspring; this threefold aim, therefore, is achieved only within marriage.

Verse 77 (markandeya.21.77)

एतन्मयोक्तं युवयोर्गच्छामि च यथेप्सितम् । वर्ध त्वमनया सार्धं धन-पुत्र-सुखायुषा॥ 21.77 ॥

etanmayoktaṁ yuvayorgacchāmi ca yathepsitam vardha tvamanayā sārdhaṁ dhana-putra-sukhāyuṣā

This much I have said to the two of you; now I shall go as I please. May you prosper together with her, in wealth, sons, happiness and long life.

Verse 78 (markandeya.21.78)

पुत्रावूचतुः इत्युक्त्वा सा परिष्वज्य स्वसखीं तं नमस्य च । जगाम दिव्यया गत्या यथाभिप्रेतमात्मनः॥ 21.78 ॥

putrāvūcatuḥ ityuktvā sā pariṣvajya svasakhīṁ taṁ namasya ca jagāma divyayā gatyā yathābhipretamātmanaḥ

Having said this, she embraced her friend, bowed to the prince, and departed by her own divine power, going wherever she pleased.

Verse 79 (markandeya.21.79)

सोऽपि शत्रुजितः पुत्रस्तामारोप्य तुरङ्गमम् । निर्गन्तुकामः पातालाद्विज्ञातो दनुसम्भवैः॥ 21.79 ॥

so ’pi śatrujitaḥ putrastāmāropya turaṅgamam nirgantukāmaḥ pātālādvijñāto danusambhavaiḥ

Shatrujit's son too, having mounted her upon his horse, was about to leave Patala when he was recognized by the sons of Danu.

Verse 80 (markandeya.21.80)

ततस्तैः सहसोत्क्रुष्टं ह्रियते ह्रियतेऽति वै । कन्यारत्नं यदानीतं दिवः पातालकेतुना॥ 21.80 ॥

tatastaiḥ sahasotkruṣṭaṁ hriyate hriyate ’ti vai kanyāratnaṁ yadānītaṁ divaḥ pātālaketunā

At once they cried out in alarm: 'She is being carried off, she is being carried off — that jewel of a maiden whom Patalaketu brought here from heaven!'

Verse 81 (markandeya.21.81)

ततः परिघ-निस्त्रिंश-गदा-शूल-शरायुधम् । दानवानां बलं प्राप्तं सह पातालकेतुना॥ 21.81 ॥

tataḥ parigha-nistriṁśa-gadā-śūla-śarāyudham dānavānāṁ balaṁ prāptaṁ saha pātālaketunā

Then an army of demons, armed with iron clubs, swords, maces, spears and arrows, arrived there together with Patalaketu.

Verse 82 (markandeya.21.82)

तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति जल्पन्तस्ते तदा दानवोत्तमाः । शरवर्षैस्तथा शूलैर्ववर्षुर्नृपनन्दनम्॥ 21.82 ॥

tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti jalpantaste tadā dānavottamāḥ śaravarṣaistathā śūlairvavarṣurnṛpanandanam

Shouting, 'Stand, stand!', those foremost demons let loose a shower of arrows and spears upon the prince.

Verse 83 (markandeya.21.83)

स च शत्रुजितः पुत्रस्तदस्त्राण्यतिवीर्यवान् । चिच्छेद शरजालेन प्रहसन्निव लीलया॥ 21.83 ॥

sa ca śatrujitaḥ putrastadastrāṇyativīryavān ciccheda śarajālena prahasanniva līlayā

And Shatrujit's mighty son cut down all their weapons with a web of his own arrows, as though laughing, almost playfully.

Verse 84 (markandeya.21.84)

क्षणेन पातालतलमसिखक्त्यृष्टिशायकैः । छिन्नैः सञ्छन्नमभवदृतध्वजशरोत्करैः॥ 21.84 ॥

kṣaṇena pātālatalamasikhaktyṛṣṭiśāyakaiḥ chinnaiḥ sañchannamabhavadṛtadhvajaśarotkaraiḥ

In an instant the floor of Patala was strewn with severed swords, javelins, lances and arrows, along with the arrow-showers of Ritadhvaja.

Verse 85 (markandeya.21.85)

ततोऽस्त्रं त्वाष्ट्रमादाय चिक्षेप प्रति दानवान् । तेन ते दानवाः सर्वे सह पातालकेतुना॥ 21.85 ॥

tato ’straṁ tvāṣṭramādāya cikṣepa prati dānavān tena te dānavāḥ sarve saha pātālaketunā

Then, taking up the Tvashtra weapon, he loosed it upon the demons; and by it all those demons, together with Patalaketu —

Verse 86 (markandeya.21.86)

ज्वालामालातितीव्रेण स्फुटदस्थिचयाः कृताः । निर्दग्धाः कापिलं तेजः समासाद्येव सागराः॥ 21.86 ॥

jvālāmālātitīvreṇa sphuṭadasthicayāḥ kṛtāḥ nirdagdhāḥ kāpilaṁ tejaḥ samāsādyeva sāgarāḥ

— had their very bones crack apart in its fierce garland of flame, and were burned to ashes just as the oceans are said to be, when they meet the fire of Kapila's wrath.

Verse 87 (markandeya.21.87)

ततः स राजपुत्रोऽश्वी निहत्यासुरसत्तमान् । स्त्रीरत्नेन समं तेन समागच्छत् पितुः पुरम्॥ 21.87 ॥

tataḥ sa rājaputro ’śvī nihatyāsurasattamān strīratnena samaṁ tena samāgacchat pituḥ puram

Then the prince, having slain those foremost demons, returned on his horse, together with that jewel among women, to his father's city.

Verse 88 (markandeya.21.88)

प्रणिपत्य च तत् सर्वं स तु पित्रे न्यवेदयत् । पातालगमनञ्चैव कुण्डलायाश्च दर्शनम्॥ 21.88 ॥

praṇipatya ca tat sarvaṁ sa tu pitre nyavedayat pātālagamanañcaiva kuṇḍalāyāśca darśanam

Bowing before his father, he related the whole account to him — his descent into Patala, and also his meeting with Kundala —

Verse 89 (markandeya.21.89)

तद्वन्मदालसाप्राप्तिं दानवैश्चापि सङ्गरम् । वधञ्च तेषामस्त्रेण पुनरागमनं तथा॥ 21.89 ॥

tadvanmadālasāprāptiṁ dānavaiścāpi saṅgaram vadhañca teṣāmastreṇa punarāgamanaṁ tathā

— and likewise his winning of Madalasa, the battle with the demons, their slaying by his weapon, and his own return.

Verse 90 (markandeya.21.90)

इति श्रुत्वा पिता तस्य चरितं चारुचेतसः । प्रीतिमानभवच्चेदं परिष्वज्याह चात्मजम्॥ 21.90 ॥

iti śrutvā pitā tasya caritaṁ cārucetasaḥ prītimānabhavaccedaṁ pariṣvajyāha cātmajam

Hearing this account of his noble-hearted son's deeds, the father was overjoyed, and, embracing him, spoke these words —

Verse 91 (markandeya.21.91)

सत्पात्रेण त्वया पुत्र तारितोऽहं महात्मना । भयेभ्यो मुनयस्त्राता येन सद्धर्मचारिणः॥ 21.91 ॥

satpātreṇa tvayā putra tārito ’haṁ mahātmanā bhayebhyo munayastrātā yena saddharmacāriṇaḥ

'My son, I have been redeemed by you, so worthy and great a soul, who saved from danger those sages devoted to righteous conduct.'

Verse 92 (markandeya.21.92)

मत्पूर्वैः ख्यातिमानीतं मया विस्तारितं पुनः । पराक्रमवता वीर त्वया तद्वहुलीकृतम्॥ 21.92 ॥

matpūrvaiḥ khyātimānītaṁ mayā vistāritaṁ punaḥ parākramavatā vīra tvayā tadvahulīkṛtam

'The fame my forefathers won, I in turn increased; and now you, O valiant hero, have magnified it further still.'

Verse 93 (markandeya.21.93)

यदुपात्तं यशः पित्रा धनं वीर्यमथापि वा । तन्न हापयते यस्तु स नरो मध्यमः स्मृतः॥ 21.93 ॥

yadupāttaṁ yaśaḥ pitrā dhanaṁ vīryamathāpi vā tanna hāpayate yastu sa naro madhyamaḥ smṛtaḥ

'That man is called a man of the middling sort who merely does not let diminish the fame, wealth or valor won by his father.'

Verse 94 (markandeya.21.94)

तद्वीर्यादधिकं यस्तु पुनरन्यत् स्वशक्तितः । निष्पादयति तं प्राज्ञाः प्रवदन्ति नरोत्तमम्॥ 21.94 ॥

tadvīryādadhikaṁ yastu punaranyat svaśaktitaḥ niṣpādayati taṁ prājñāḥ pravadanti narottamam

'But he who, by his own strength, achieves still more than his father's valor — him the wise call the best of men.'

Verse 95 (markandeya.21.95)

यः पिता समुपात्तानि धनवीर्ययशांसि वै । न्यूनतां नयति प्राज्ञास्तमाहुः पुरुषाधमम्॥ 21.95 ॥

yaḥ pitā samupāttāni dhanavīryayaśāṁsi vai nyūnatāṁ nayati prājñāstamāhuḥ puruṣādhamam

'And he who lets the wealth, valor and fame gained by his father dwindle away — him the wise call the lowest of men.'

Verse 96 (markandeya.21.96)

तन्मया ब्राह्मणत्राणं कृतमासीद्यथा त्वया । पातालगमनं यच्च यच्चासुरविनाशनम्॥ 21.96 ॥

tanmayā brāhmaṇatrāṇaṁ kṛtamāsīdyathā tvayā pātālagamanaṁ yacca yaccāsuravināśanam

'I too once protected the brahmanas — but the descent into Patala and the destruction of the demons that you have accomplished —'

Verse 97 (markandeya.21.97)

एतदप्यधिकं वत्स तेन त्वं पुरुषोत्तमः । तद्धन्योऽस्म्य बाल त्वमहमेव गुणाधिकम्॥ 21.97 ॥

etadapyadhikaṁ vatsa tena tvaṁ puruṣottamaḥ taddhanyo ’smya bāla tvamahameva guṇādhikam

'— surpasses even that, my child, and by it you are the very best of men. I count myself fortunate that it is you, not I, who excels in virtue.'

Verse 98 (markandeya.21.98)

त्वां पुत्रमीदृशं प्राप्य श्लाघ्यः पुण्यवतामपि । न स पुत्रकृतां प्रीतिं मन्ये प्राप्नोति मानवः॥ 21.98 ॥

tvāṁ putramīdṛśaṁ prāpya ślāghyaḥ puṇyavatāmapi na sa putrakṛtāṁ prītiṁ manye prāpnoti mānavaḥ

'Having gained a son such as you, I am worthy of praise even among the meritorious; I do not think any man attains the joy a son can give, as I have.'

Verse 99 (markandeya.21.99)

पुत्रेण नातिशयितो यः प्रज्ञादानविक्रमैः । धिग्जन्म तस्य यः पित्रा लोके विज्ञायते नरः॥ 21.99 ॥

putreṇa nātiśayito yaḥ prajñādānavikramaiḥ dhigjanma tasya yaḥ pitrā loke vijñāyate naraḥ

'Cursed be the birth of that man who is not surpassed by his son in wisdom, generosity and valor, and who is known in the world only because of his father.'

Verse 100 (markandeya.21.100)

यः पुत्रात् ख्यातिमभ्येति तस्य जन्म सुजन्मनः । आत्मना ज्ञायते धन्यो मध्यः पितृपितामहैः॥ 21.100 ॥

yaḥ putrāt khyātimabhyeti tasya janma sujanmanaḥ ātmanā jñāyate dhanyo madhyaḥ pitṛpitāmahaiḥ

'He who gains fame through his son has a truly fortunate birth; he who is known by his own merit is blessed; and he who is known through his father and grandfather is only middling.'

Verse 101 (markandeya.21.101)

मातृपक्षेण मात्रा च ख्यातिमेति नराधमः । तत् पुत्र धनवीर्यैस्त्वं विवर्धस्व सुखेन च॥ 21.101 ॥

mātṛpakṣeṇa mātrā ca khyātimeti narādhamaḥ tat putra dhanavīryaistvaṁ vivardhasva sukhena ca

'He who gains fame only through his mother or his mother's kin is the lowest of men. So, my son, may you go on flourishing in wealth, valor and happiness.'

Verse 102 (markandeya.21.102)

घन्धर्वतनया चेयं मा त्वया वै वियुज्यताम् । इति पित्रा बहुविधं प्रियमुक्तः पुनः पुनः॥ 21.102 ॥

ghandharvatanayā ceyaṁ mā tvayā vai viyujyatām iti pitrā bahuvidhaṁ priyamuktaḥ punaḥ punaḥ

'And may this daughter of the gandharvas never be parted from you.' — so his father spoke to him again and again, with many words of affection.

Verse 103 (markandeya.21.103)

परिष्वज्य स्वमावासं सभार्यः स विसर्जितः । स तया भार्याया सार्धं रेमे तत्र पितुः पुरे॥ 21.103 ॥

pariṣvajya svamāvāsaṁ sabhāryaḥ sa visarjitaḥ sa tayā bhāryāyā sārdhaṁ reme tatra pituḥ pure

Embracing him, his father sent him off, with his wife, to his own quarters; and there, in his father's city, he lived happily together with her.

Verse 104 (markandeya.21.104)

अन्येषु च तथोद्यान-वन-पर्वतसानुषु । श्वश्रू-श्वसुरयोः पादौ प्रणिपत्य च सा शुभा । प्रातः प्रातस्ततस्तेन सह रेमे सुमध्यमा॥ 21.104 ॥

anyeṣu ca tathodyāna-vana-parvatasānuṣu śvaśrū-śvasurayoḥ pādau praṇipatya ca sā śubhā prātaḥ prātastatastena saha reme sumadhyamā

And elsewhere too, in gardens, forests and mountain glades, they took their pleasure together. Each morning that gracious, slender-waisted lady would bow at the feet of her mother-in-law and father-in-law, and then pass her days happily with him.