Instruction to the Son

Verse 1 (markandeya.26.1)

वर्धमानं सुतं सा तु राजपत्नी दिने दिने । तमुल्लापादिना बोधमनयन्निर्ममात्मकम्॥ २६.१ ॥

vardhamānaṃ sutaṃ sā tu rājapatnī dine dine tamullāpādinā bodhamanayannirmamātmakam

Day by day, as her son grew, that queen would, through lullabies and gentle words, awaken in him the understanding that the true Self is free of ego and possession.

Verse 2 (markandeya.26.2)

यथायथं बलं लेभे यथा लेभे मतिं पितुः । तथा तथात्मबोधञ्च सोऽवापन्मातृभाषितैः॥ २६.२ ॥

yathāyathaṃ balaṃ lebhe yathā lebhe matiṃ pituḥ tathā tathātmabodhañca so 'vāpanmātṛbhāṣitaiḥ

As he grew in strength and acquired his father's intelligence, so too, through his mother's words, he came correspondingly to attain knowledge of the Self.

Verse 3 (markandeya.26.3)

इत्थं तया स तनयो जन्मप्रभृति बोधितः । चकार न मतिं प्राज्ञो गार्हस्थ्यं प्रति निर्ममः॥ २६.३ ॥

itthaṃ tayā sa tanayo janmaprabhṛti bodhitaḥ cakāra na matiṃ prājño gārhasthyaṃ prati nirmamaḥ

Thus instructed by her from birth, that wise son, free from attachment, felt no inclination of mind toward the life of a householder.

Verse 4 (markandeya.26.4)

द्वितीयोऽस्याः सुतो जज्ञे तस्य नामाकरोत्पिता । सुबाहुरयमित्युक्ते सा जाहस मदालसा॥ २६.४ ॥

dvitīyo 'syāḥ suto jajñe tasya nāmākarotpitā subāhurayamityukte sā jāhasa madālasā

A second son was born to her, and the father gave him a name. When he was called "Subahu," Madalasa laughed.

Verse 5 (markandeya.26.5)

तमप्येवं यथापूर्वं बालमुल्लापनादिना । प्राह बाल्यात् स च प्राप तथा बोधं माहमतिः॥ २६.५ ॥

tamapyevaṃ yathāpūrvaṃ bālamullāpanādinā prāha bālyāt sa ca prāpa tathā bodhaṃ māhamatiḥ

Him too, just as before, she instructed from infancy through lullabies and the like, and he likewise attained that same great understanding from childhood.

Verse 6 (markandeya.26.6)

तृतीयं तनयं जातं स राजा शत्रुमर्दनम् । यदाह तेन सा सुभ्रुर्जहासातिचिरं पुनः॥ २६.६ ॥

tṛtīyaṃ tanayaṃ jātaṃ sa rājā śatrumardanam yadāha tena sā subhrurjahāsāticiraṃ punaḥ

When the king named the third-born son "Shatrumardana," the fair-browed queen once again laughed long and heartily.

Verse 7 (markandeya.26.7)

तथैव सोऽपि तन्वङ्ग्या बालत्वादवबोधितः । क्रियाश्चकार निष्कामो न किञ्चिदुपकारकम्॥ २६.७ ॥

tathaiva so 'pi tanvaṅgyā bālatvādavabodhitaḥ kriyāścakāra niṣkāmo na kiñcidupakārakam

In the same way, that son too, instructed from childhood by the slender queen, became desireless and performed no act aimed at worldly gain.

Verse 8 (markandeya.26.8)

चतुर्थस्य सुतस्याथ चिकीर्षुर्नाम भूमिपः । ददर्श तां शुभाचारामीषद्धासां मदालसाम् । तामाह राजा हसतीं किञ्चित् कौतूहलान्वितः॥ २६.८ ॥

caturthasya sutasyātha cikīrṣurnāma bhūmipaḥ dadarśa tāṃ śubhācārāmīṣaddhāsāṃ madālasām tāmāha rājā hasatīṃ kiñcit kautūhalānvitaḥ

Then, wishing to name the fourth son, the king saw the virtuous Madalasa smiling faintly. Filled with curiosity, the king spoke to her as she smiled.

Verse 9 (markandeya.26.9)

राजोवाच । क्रियमाणेऽसकृन्नाम्नि कथ्यतां हास्यकारणम् । विक्रान्तश्च सुबाहुश्च तथान्यः शत्रुमर्दनः॥ २६.९ ॥

rājovāca kriyamāṇe 'sakṛnnāmni kathyatāṃ hāsyakāraṇam vikrāntaśca subāhuśca tathānyaḥ śatrumardanaḥ

The king said, "Tell me why you laugh each time a name is given — at Vikranta, at Subahu, and again at Shatrumardana."

Verse 10 (markandeya.26.10)

शोभनानीति नामानि मया मन्ये कृतानि वै । योग्यानि क्षत्रबन्धूनां शौर्याटोपयुतानि च॥ २६.१० ॥

śobhanānīti nāmāni mayā manye kṛtāni vai yogyāni kṣatrabandhūnāṃ śauryāṭopayutāni ca

"I believe I have given auspicious names, fit for kinsmen of the warrior class and full of the pride befitting valor."

Verse 11 (markandeya.26.11)

असन्त्येतानि चेद्भद्रे ! यदि ते मनसि स्थितम् । तदस्य क्रियतां नाम चतुर्थस्य सुतस्य मे॥ २६.११ ॥

asantyetāni cedbhadre ! yadi te manasi sthitam tadasya kriyatāṃ nāma caturthasya sutasya me

"But if these names are not fitting, good lady, and if something else is in your mind, then let my fourth son's name be given by you."

Verse 12 (markandeya.26.12)

मदालसोवाच । मयाज्ञा भवतः कार्या महाराज ! यथात्थ माम् । तथा नाम करिष्यामि चतुर्थस्य सुतस्य ते॥ २६.१२ ॥

madālasovāca mayājñā bhavataḥ kāryā mahārāja ! yathāttha mām tathā nāma kariṣyāmi caturthasya sutasya te

Madalasa said, "O great king, your command must be obeyed by me. As you have asked, I shall name your fourth son."

Verse 13 (markandeya.26.13)

अलर्क इति धर्मज्ञः ख्यातिं लोके प्रयास्यति । कनीयानेष ते पुत्रो मतिमांश्च भविष्यति॥ २६.१३ ॥

alarka iti dharmajñaḥ khyātiṃ loke prayāsyati kanīyāneṣa te putro matimāṃśca bhaviṣyati

"'Alarka' — this youngest son of yours, versed in dharma, shall achieve fame in the world and shall become a man of wisdom."

Verse 14 (markandeya.26.14)

तच्छ्रुत्वा नाम पुत्रस्य कृतं मात्रा महीपतिः । अलर्क इत्यसम्बद्धं प्रहस्येदमथाब्रवीत्॥ २६.१४ ॥

tacchrutvā nāma putrasya kṛtaṃ mātrā mahīpatiḥ alarka ityasambaddhaṃ prahasyedamathābravīt

Hearing this name "Alarka" given to the son by his mother, the king laughed, thinking it meaningless, and spoke as follows.

Verse 15 (markandeya.26.15)

राजोवाच । भवत्या यदिदं नाम मत्पुत्रस्य कृतं शुभे । किमीदृशमसम्बद्धमर्थः कोऽस्य मदालसे॥ २६.१५ ॥

rājovāca bhavatyā yadidaṃ nāma matputrasya kṛtaṃ śubhe kimīdṛśamasambaddhamarthaḥ ko 'sya madālase

The king said, "O gracious one, this name you have given my son — why is it so senseless? What does it mean, Madalasa?"

Verse 16 (markandeya.26.16)

मदालसोवाच । कल्पनेयं महाराज ! कृता सा व्यावहारिको । त्वत्कृतानां तथा नाम्नां शृणु भूप ! निरर्थताम्॥ २६.१६ ॥

madālasovāca kalpaneyaṃ mahārāja ! kṛtā sā vyāvahāriko tvatkṛtānāṃ tathā nāmnāṃ śṛṇu bhūpa ! nirarthatām

Madalasa said, "O great king, this too is merely a conventional construction. Now hear, O king, the meaninglessness of the names you yourself have given."

Verse 17 (markandeya.26.17)

वदन्ति पुरुषाः प्राज्ञा व्यापिनं पुरुषं यतः । क्रान्तिश्च गतिरुद्दिष्टा देशाद्देशान्तरन्तु या॥ २६.१७ ॥

vadanti puruṣāḥ prājñā vyāpinaṃ puruṣaṃ yataḥ krāntiśca gatiruddiṣṭā deśāddeśāntarantu yā

Wise men declare that the Purusha, the Self, is all-pervading; yet 'kranti,' movement or advance, means going from one place to another.

Verse 18 (markandeya.26.18)

सर्वगो न प्रयातीति व्यापी देहेश्वरो यतः । ततो विक्रान्तसंज्ञेयं मता मम निरर्थिका॥ २६.१८ ॥

sarvago na prayātīti vyāpī deheśvaro yataḥ tato vikrāntasaṃjñeyaṃ matā mama nirarthikā

Since the all-pervading lord of the body, the Self, being everywhere already, does not "go" anywhere, the name "Vikranta" seems to me without meaning.

Verse 19 (markandeya.26.19)

सुबाहुरिति या संज्ञा कृतान्यस्य सुतस्य ते । निरर्था साप्यमूर्तत्वात् पुरुषस्य महीपते॥ २६.१९ ॥

subāhuriti yā saṃjñā kṛtānyasya sutasya te nirarthā sāpyamūrtatvāt puruṣasya mahīpate

O king, the name "Subahu" given to your other son is likewise meaningless, since the Purusha, the Self, is formless and without limbs.

Verse 20 (markandeya.26.20)

पुत्रस्य यद् कृतं नाम तृतीयस्यारिमर्दनः । मन्ये तदप्यसम्बद्धं शृणु चाप्यत्र कारणम्॥ २६.२० ॥

putrasya yad kṛtaṃ nāma tṛtīyasyārimardanaḥ manye tadapyasambaddhaṃ śṛṇu cāpyatra kāraṇam

The name given to your third son, "Arimardana," I likewise consider inappropriate; hear the reason for this too.

Verse 21 (markandeya.26.21)

एक एव शरीरेषु सर्वेषु पुरुषो यदा । तदास्य राजन् ! क शत्रुः को वा मित्रमिहेष्यते॥ २६.२१ ॥

eka eva śarīreṣu sarveṣu puruṣo yadā tadāsya rājan ! ka śatruḥ ko vā mitramiheṣyate

O king, when one and the same Purusha dwells within every body, then who indeed could be his enemy, and who his friend?

Verse 22 (markandeya.26.22)

भूतैर्भूतानि मृद्यन्ते अमूर्तो मृद्यते कथम् । क्रोधादीनां पृथग्भावात् कल्पनेयं निरर्थिका॥ २६.२२ ॥

bhūtairbhūtāni mṛdyante amūrto mṛdyate katham krodhādīnāṃ pṛthagbhāvāt kalpaneyaṃ nirarthikā

Embodied beings crush other embodied beings, but how can the formless Self be crushed? Since anger and the like belong to something wholly separate from the Self, this notion is without meaning.

Verse 23 (markandeya.26.23)

यदि संव्यवहारार्थमसन्नाम प्रकल्प्यते । नाम्नि कस्मादलर्काख्ये नैरर्थ्यं भवतो मतम्॥ २६.२३ ॥

yadi saṃvyavahārārthamasannāma prakalpyate nāmni kasmādalarkākhye nairarthyaṃ bhavato matam

If a name devoid of ultimate meaning may be given merely for worldly convenience, then why do you find fault with the meaninglessness of the name "Alarka"?

Verse 24 (markandeya.26.24)

जड उवाच । एवमुक्तस्तया साधु महीष्या स महीपतिः । तथेत्याह महाबुद्धिर्दयितां तथ्यवादिनीम्॥ २६.२४ ॥

jaḍa uvāca evamuktastayā sādhu mahīṣyā sa mahīpatiḥ tathetyāha mahābuddhirdayitāṃ tathyavādinīm

Jada said: Thus well addressed by the queen, that highly intelligent king said "So be it" to his truthful and beloved wife.

Verse 25 (markandeya.26.25)

तञ्चापि सा सुतं सुभ्रूर्यथा पूर्वसुतांस्तथा । प्रोवाच बोधजननं तामुवाच स पार्थिवः॥ २६.२५ ॥

tañcāpi sā sutaṃ subhrūryathā pūrvasutāṃstathā provāca bodhajananaṃ tāmuvāca sa pārthivaḥ

That fair-browed queen instructed this son too in the awakening of understanding, just as she had done with her earlier sons. Then the king spoke to her as follows.

Verse 26 (markandeya.26.26)

करोषि किमिदं मूढे ! ममाभावाय सन्ततेः । दुष्टावबोधदानेन यथापूर्वं सुतेषु मे॥ २६.२६ ॥

karoṣi kimidaṃ mūḍhe ! mamābhāvāya santateḥ duṣṭāvabodhadānena yathāpūrvaṃ suteṣu me

"What is this you are doing, foolish woman? By giving this harmful teaching to my sons, as you did before, you are working toward the extinction of my line!"

Verse 27 (markandeya.26.27)

यदि ते मत्प्रियं कार्यं यदि ग्राह्यं वचो मम । तदेनं तनयं मार्गे प्रवृत्तेः सन्नियोजय॥ २६.२७ ॥

yadi te matpriyaṃ kāryaṃ yadi grāhyaṃ vaco mama tadenaṃ tanayaṃ mārge pravṛtteḥ sanniyojaya

"If you wish to do what pleases me, if my word carries weight with you, then set this son upon the path of active, worldly life."

Verse 28 (markandeya.26.28)

कर्ममार्गः समुच्छेदं नैवं देवि ! गमिष्यति । पितृपिण्डनिवृत्तिश्च नैवं साध्वि ! भविष्यति॥ २६.२८ ॥

karmamārgaḥ samucchedaṃ naivaṃ devi ! gamiṣyati pitṛpiṇḍanivṛttiśca naivaṃ sādhvi ! bhaviṣyati

"The path of sacred action must not be brought to an end in this way, O goddess; nor, O virtuous one, should the offering of the ancestral rice-ball cease in this way."

Verse 29 (markandeya.26.29)

पितरो देवलोकस्थास्तथा तिर्यक्त्वमागताः । तद्वन्मनुष्यतां याता भूतवर्गे च संस्थिताः॥ २६.२९ ॥

pitaro devalokasthāstathā tiryaktvamāgatāḥ tadvanmanuṣyatāṃ yātā bhūtavarge ca saṃsthitāḥ

"The ancestors may dwell in the world of the gods, or may have entered the animal state; likewise they may have come into the human condition, or may dwell among the class of spirit-beings."

Verse 30 (markandeya.26.30)

सपुण्यानसपुण्यांश्च क्षुत्क्षामान् तृट्परिप्लुतान् । पिण्डोदकप्रदानेन नरः कर्मण्यवस्थितः॥ २६.३० ॥

sapuṇyānasapuṇyāṃśca kṣutkṣāmān tṛṭpariplutān piṇḍodakapradānena naraḥ karmaṇyavasthitaḥ

"A man devoted to ritual duty, by offering the rice-ball and water, brings satisfaction to the ancestors — whether meritorious or not, whether wasted by hunger or overcome by thirst."

Verse 31 (markandeya.26.31)

सदाप्यायते सुभ्रु ! तद्वद्देवातिथोनपि । देवैर्मनुष्यैः पितृभिः प्रेतैर्भूतैः सगुह्यकैः॥ २६.३१ ॥

sadāpyāyate subhru ! tadvaddevātithonapi devairmanuṣyaiḥ pitṛbhiḥ pretairbhūtaiḥ saguhyakaiḥ

"This continuum, O fair-browed one, is forever nourished — likewise through hospitality given to gods, men, ancestors, ghosts, spirits, and guhyakas."

Verse 32 (markandeya.26.32)

वयोभिः कृमिकीटैश्च नर एवोपजीव्यते । तस्मात् तन्वड्गि ! पुत्रं यत्कार्यं क्षत्रयोनिभिः॥ २६.३२ ॥

vayobhiḥ kṛmikīṭaiśca nara evopajīvyate tasmāt tanvaḍgi ! putraṃ yatkāryaṃ kṣatrayonibhiḥ

"Man is depended upon even by birds, worms, and insects. Therefore, O slender one, whatever duty belongs to those born of kshatriya lineage —"

Verse 33 (markandeya.26.33)

ऐहिकामुष्मिकफलं तत् सम्यक् प्रतिपादय॥ २६.३३ ॥

aihikāmuṣmikaphalaṃ tat samyak pratipādaya

"— establish that duty firmly in him, whose fruit is gained both in this world and the next."

Verse 34 (markandeya.26.34)

जड उवाच । तेनैवमुक्ता सा भर्त्रा वरनारी मदालसा । अलर्कं नाम तनयमुवाचोल्लापवादिनी॥ २६.३४ ॥

jaḍa uvāca tenaivamuktā sā bhartrā varanārī madālasā alarkaṃ nāma tanayamuvācollāpavādinī

Jada said: Thus addressed by her husband, that excellent woman Madalasa spoke gently to her son named Alarka, saying this.

Verse 35 (markandeya.26.35)

पुत्र वर्धस्व मद्भर्तुर्मनो नन्दय कर्मभिः । मित्राणामुपकाराय दुर्हृदां नाशनाय च॥ २६.३५ ॥

putra vardhasva madbharturmano nandaya karmabhiḥ mitrāṇāmupakārāya durhṛdāṃ nāśanāya ca

"My son, grow and prosper; gladden your father's heart through your deeds — for the good of your friends and for the destruction of your enemies."

Verse 36 (markandeya.26.36)

धन्योऽसि रे यो वसुधामशत्रुर् एकश्चिरं पालयितासि पुत्र । तत्पालनादस्तु सुखोपभोगो धर्मात् फलं प्राप्स्यसि चामरत्वम्॥ २६.३६ ॥

dhanyo 'si re yo vasudhāmaśatrur ekaściraṃ pālayitāsi putra tatpālanādastu sukhopabhogo dharmāt phalaṃ prāpsyasi cāmaratvam

"Blessed are you, my son, who alone and unopposed shall protect this earth for a long time. May that protection bring you the enjoyment of happiness, and may dharma bring you its fruit and even immortality."

Verse 37 (markandeya.26.37)

धरामरान् पर्वसु तर्पयेथाः समीहितं बन्धुषु पूरयेथाः । हितं परस्मै हृदि चिन्तयेथाः मनः परस्त्रीषु निवर्तयेथाः॥ २६.३७ ॥

dharāmarān parvasu tarpayethāḥ samīhitaṃ bandhuṣu pūrayethāḥ hitaṃ parasmai hṛdi cintayethāḥ manaḥ parastrīṣu nivartayethāḥ

"On sacred occasions, satisfy the brahmanas of the earth; fulfill the desires of your kinsmen; keep in your heart the good of others; and turn your mind away from other men's wives."

Verse 38 (markandeya.26.38)

यज्ञौरनेकैर्विबुधानजस्त्रम् अर्थैर्द्विजान् प्रीणय संश्रितांश्च । स्त्रियश्च कामैरतुलैश्चिराय युद्धैश्चारींस्तोषयितासि वीर॥ २६.३८ ॥

yajñauranekairvibudhānajastram arthairdvijān prīṇaya saṃśritāṃśca striyaśca kāmairatulaiścirāya yuddhaiścārīṃstoṣayitāsi vīra

"Through many sacrifices, please the gods without ceasing; through wealth, satisfy the brahmanas and your dependents; through incomparable delights, please your wives for a long time; and, O hero, through battles you shall satisfy — that is, subdue — your enemies."

Verse 39 (markandeya.26.39)

बालो मनो नन्दय बान्धवानां गुरोस्तथाज्ञानकरणैः कुमारः । स्त्रीणां युवा सत्कुलभूषणानां वृद्धो वने वत्स ! वनेचराणाम्॥ २६.३९ ॥

bālo mano nandaya bāndhavānāṃ gurostathājñānakaraṇaiḥ kumāraḥ strīṇāṃ yuvā satkulabhūṣaṇānāṃ vṛddho vane vatsa ! vanecarāṇām

"In childhood, gladden the hearts of your kinsmen; as a boy, gladden your teacher by carrying out his commands; as a young man, gladden the women who adorn noble houses; and in old age, my child, gladden the forest-dwellers in the forest."

Verse 40 (markandeya.26.40)

राज्यं कुर्वन् सुहृदो नन्दयेथाः साधून् रक्षंस्तात ! यज्ञैर्यजेथाः । दुष्टान्निघ्रन् वैरिणश्चाजिमध्ये गोविप्रार्थे वत्स ! मृत्युं व्रजेथाः॥ २६.४० ॥

rājyaṃ kurvan suhṛdo nandayethāḥ sādhūn rakṣaṃstāta ! yajñairyajethāḥ duṣṭānnighran vairiṇaścājimadhye goviprārthe vatsa ! mṛtyuṃ vrajethāḥ

"While ruling the kingdom, gladden your friends; while protecting the virtuous, my child, offer sacrifices; while striking down the wicked and your enemies in the midst of battle; and, my dear son, should the need arise, embrace death itself for the sake of cows and brahmanas."