Arrival at the Vindhya Mountains

Verse 1 (markandeya.3.1)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच अहन्यहनि विप्रेन्द्र स तेषां मुनिसत्तमः । चकाराहारपयसा तथा गुप्त्या च पोषणम् ॥ 3.1 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca ahanyahani viprendra sa teṣāṁ munisattamaḥ cakārāhārapayasā tathā guptyā ca poṣaṇam

Day after day, O best of brahmins, that foremost of sages nurtured them with food and milk, and protected them with care.

Verse 2 (markandeya.3.2)

मासमात्रेण जग्मुस्ते भानोः स्यन्दनवर्त्मनि । कौतूहलविलोलाक्षैर्दृष्टा मुनिकुमारकैः ॥ 3.2 ॥

māsamātreṇa jagmuste bhānoḥ syandanavartmani kautūhalavilolākṣairdṛṣṭā munikumārakaiḥ

Within just a month they had flown into the path of the sun's chariot, watched with wide, curious eyes by the sage's young disciples.

Verse 3 (markandeya.3.3)

दृष्ट्वा महीं सनगरां साम्भोनिधिसरिद्वराम् । रथचक्रप्रमाणां ते पुनराश्रममागताः ॥ 3.3 ॥

dṛṣṭvā mahīṁ sanagarāṁ sāmbhonidhisaridvarām rathacakrapramāṇāṁ te punarāśramamāgatāḥ

Having seen the whole earth, with its cities, its oceans and great rivers, appearing no larger than a chariot-wheel, they returned again to the hermitage.

Verse 4 (markandeya.3.4)

श्रमक्लान्तान्तरात्मानो महात्मानो वियोनिजाः । ज्ञानञ्च प्रकटीभूतं तत्र तेषां प्रभावतः ॥ 3.4 ॥

śramaklāntāntarātmāno mahātmāno viyonijāḥ jñānañca prakaṭībhūtaṁ tatra teṣāṁ prabhāvataḥ

Their inmost selves wearied with exertion, those great souls — though born otherwise than from a womb — had their innate knowledge become manifest there, through their own power.

Verse 5 (markandeya.3.5)

ऋषेः शिष्यानुकम्पार्थं वदतो धर्मनिश्चयम् । कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणं सर्वे चरणावभ्यवादयन् ॥ 3.5 ॥

ṛṣeḥ śiṣyānukampārthaṁ vadato dharmaniścayam kṛtvā pradakṣiṇaṁ sarve caraṇāvabhyavādayan

As the sage, out of compassion for his disciples, was expounding the certainty of dharma, they all circumambulated him and bowed at his feet.

Verse 6 (markandeya.3.6)

ऊचुश्च मरणाद्घोरान्मोक्षिताः स्मस्त्वया मुने । आवास-भक्ष्य-पयसां त्वं नो दाता पिता गुरुः ॥ 3.6 ॥

ūcuśca maraṇādghorānmokṣitāḥ smastvayā mune āvāsa-bhakṣya-payasāṁ tvaṁ no dātā pitā guruḥ

And they said: "We have been freed by you, O sage, from a terrible death; you are the giver to us of shelter, food and milk — our father, our guru.

Verse 7 (markandeya.3.7)

गर्भस्थानां मृता माता पित्रा नैवापि पालिताः । त्वया नो जीवितं दत्तं शिशवो येन रक्षिताः ॥ 3.7 ॥

garbhasthānāṁ mṛtā mātā pitrā naivāpi pālitāḥ tvayā no jīvitaṁ dattaṁ śiśavo yena rakṣitāḥ

While we were yet in the womb our mother died, nor were we cared for by our father; you it was who gave us life, by whom we, mere infants, were protected.

Verse 8 (markandeya.3.8)

क्षितावक्षततेजास्त्वं कृमीणामिव शुष्यताम् । गजघण्टां समुत्पाट्य कृतवान् दुः खरेचनम् ॥ 3.8 ॥

kṣitāvakṣatatejāstvaṁ kṛmīṇāmiva śuṣyatām gajaghaṇṭāṁ samutpāṭya kṛtavān duḥ kharecanam

Undiminished in your power, lifting up the elephant's bell from the earth, you delivered us — withering like worms — from our suffering.

Verse 9 (markandeya.3.9)

कथं वर्धेयुरबलाः खस्थान् द्रक्ष्याम्यहं कदा । कदा भूमेर्द्रुमं प्राप्तान् द्रक्ष्ये वृक्षान्तरं गतान् ॥ 3.9 ॥

kathaṁ vardheyurabalāḥ khasthān drakṣyāmyahaṁ kadā kadā bhūmerdrumaṁ prāptān drakṣye vṛkṣāntaraṁ gatān

'How will these helpless ones grow? When shall I see them settled in the sky? When shall I see them, having reached the tree from the ground, moving from branch to branch?'

Verse 10 (markandeya.3.10)

कदा मे सहजा कान्तिः पांशुना नाशमेष्यति । एषां पक्षानिलोत्थेन मत्समीपविचारिणाम् ॥ 3.10 ॥

kadā me sahajā kāntiḥ pāṁśunā nāśameṣyati eṣāṁ pakṣānilotthena matsamīpavicāriṇām

'When will the dust I naturally bear be dispelled by the wind of their wings, as they move about near me?' —

Verse 11 (markandeya.3.11)

इति चिन्तयता तात भवता प्रतिपालिताः । ते साम्प्रतं प्रवृद्धाः स्मः प्रबुद्धाः करवाम किम् ॥ 3.11 ॥

iti cintayatā tāta bhavatā pratipālitāḥ te sāmprataṁ pravṛddhāḥ smaḥ prabuddhāḥ karavāma kim

thinking thus, dear father, we were nurtured by you. Now we are grown and awakened — what should we do?"

Verse 12 (markandeya.3.12)

इत्यृषिर्वचनं तेषां श्रुत्वा संस्कारवत् स्फुटम् । शिष्यैः परिवृतः सर्वैः सह पुत्रेण शृङ्गिणा ॥ 3.12 ॥

ityṛṣirvacanaṁ teṣāṁ śrutvā saṁskāravat sphuṭam śiṣyaiḥ parivṛtaḥ sarvaiḥ saha putreṇa śṛṅgiṇā

Hearing this clear, cultured speech of theirs, the sage, surrounded by all his disciples along with his son Shringin,

Verse 13 (markandeya.3.13)

कौतूहलपरो भूत्वा रोमाञ्चपटसंवृतः । उवाच तत्त्वतो ब्रूत प्रवृत्तेः कारणं गिरः ॥ 3.13 ॥

kautūhalaparo bhūtvā romāñcapaṭasaṁvṛtaḥ uvāca tattvato brūta pravṛtteḥ kāraṇaṁ giraḥ

filled with curiosity, his body wrapped in a garment of horripilation with wonder, said: "Tell me truly, what is the cause of your gift of speech?

Verse 14 (markandeya.3.14)

कस्य शापादियं प्राप्ता भवद्भिर्विक्रिया परा । रूपस्य वचसश्चैव तन्मे वक्तुमीहार्हथ ॥ 3.14 ॥

kasya śāpādiyaṁ prāptā bhavadbhirvikriyā parā rūpasya vacasaścaiva tanme vaktumīhārhatha

By whose curse was this extraordinary transformation, of both form and speech, brought upon you? You should tell me this."

Verse 15 (markandeya.3.15)

पक्षिण ऊचुः विपुलस्वानिति ख्यातः प्रागासीन्मुनिसत्तमः । तस्य पुत्रद्वयं जज्ञे सुकृषस्तुम्बुरुस्तथा ॥ 3.15 ॥

pakṣiṇa ūcuḥ vipulasvāniti khyātaḥ prāgāsīnmunisattamaḥ tasya putradvayaṁ jajñe sukṛṣastumburustathā

The birds said: "There was formerly a sage renowned as Vipulasvana, best among sages. Two sons were born to him, Sukrisha and Tumburu.

Verse 16 (markandeya.3.16)

सुकृषस्य वयं पुत्राश्चत्वारः संयतात्मनः । तस्यर्षेर्विनयाचारभक्तिनम्राः सदैव हि ॥ 3.16 ॥

sukṛṣasya vayaṁ putrāścatvāraḥ saṁyatātmanaḥ tasyarṣervinayācārabhaktinamrāḥ sadaiva hi

We four are the sons of that self-controlled Sukrisha, ever bowed in humility, conduct, and devotion to that sage.

Verse 17 (markandeya.3.17)

तपश्चरणसक्तस्य शास्यमानेन्द्रियस्य च । यथाभिमतमस्माभिस्तदा तस्योपपादितम् ॥ 3.17 ॥

tapaścaraṇasaktasya śāsyamānendriyasya ca yathābhimatamasmābhistadā tasyopapāditam

He was devoted to the practice of austerity, his senses under discipline; and we accordingly served him then, in whatever way pleased him —

Verse 18 (markandeya.3.18)

समित्पुष्पादिकं सर्वं यच्चैवाभ्यवहारिकम् । एवं तत्राथ वसतां तस्यास्माकञ्च कानने ॥ 3.18 ॥

samitpuṣpādikaṁ sarvaṁ yaccaivābhyavahārikam evaṁ tatrātha vasatāṁ tasyāsmākañca kānane

sacred fuel-sticks, flowers, and all else, including his food. While we thus dwelt there in that forest with him,

Verse 19 (markandeya.3.19)

आजगाम महावर्ष्मा भग्नपक्षो जरान्वितः । आताम्रनेत्रः स्त्रस्तात्मा पक्षी भूत्वा सुरेश्वरः ॥ 3.19 ॥

ājagāma mahāvarṣmā bhagnapakṣo jarānvitaḥ ātāmranetraḥ strastātmā pakṣī bhūtvā sureśvaraḥ

there came, having taken the form of a bird, one of great bulk, his wings broken, worn with age, his eyes red-brown, his body enfeebled — the lord of the gods.

Verse 20 (markandeya.3.20)

सत्य-शौच-क्षमाचारमतीवोदारमानसम् । जिज्ञासुस्तमृषिश्रेष्ठमस्मच्छापभवाय च ॥ 3.20 ॥

satya-śauca-kṣamācāramatīvodāramānasam jijñāsustamṛṣiśreṣṭhamasmacchāpabhavāya ca

He came wishing to test that best of sages — truthful, pure, forbearing in conduct, of an exceedingly noble mind — and so as to bring about our curse.

Verse 21 (markandeya.3.21)

पक्ष्युवाच द्विजेन्द्र मां क्षुधाविष्टं परित्रातुमिहार्हसि । भक्षणार्थो महाभाग गतिर्भव ममातुला ॥ 3.21 ॥

pakṣyuvāca dvijendra māṁ kṣudhāviṣṭaṁ paritrātumihārhasi bhakṣaṇārtho mahābhāga gatirbhava mamātulā

The bird said: "O best of the twice-born, you should save me here, overcome as I am with hunger. O illustrious one, be my sole and matchless refuge, in need of food.

Verse 22 (markandeya.3.22)

विन्ध्यस्य शिखरे तिष्ठन् पत्रिपत्रेरितेन वै । पतितोऽस्मि महाभाग श्वसनेनातिरंहसा ॥ 3.22 ॥

vindhyasya śikhare tiṣṭhan patripatreritena vai patito ’smi mahābhāga śvasanenātiraṁhasā

While resting on the peak of the Vindhya, O illustrious one, I fell, struck by the exceedingly forceful wind stirred by the wings of a bird.

Verse 23 (markandeya.3.23)

सोऽहं मोहसमाविष्टो भूमौ सप्ताहमस्मृतिः । स्थितस्तत्राष्टमेनाह्ना चेतनां प्राप्तवानहम् ॥ 3.23 ॥

so ’haṁ mohasamāviṣṭo bhūmau saptāhamasmṛtiḥ sthitastatrāṣṭamenāhnā cetanāṁ prāptavānaham

Overcome with confusion, I lay upon the ground for seven days without memory; on the eighth day I regained my senses.

Verse 24 (markandeya.3.24)

प्राप्तचेताः क्षुधाविष्टो भवन्तं शरणं गतः । भक्ष्यार्थो विगतानन्दो दूयमानेन चेतसा ॥ 3.24 ॥

prāptacetāḥ kṣudhāviṣṭo bhavantaṁ śaraṇaṁ gataḥ bhakṣyārtho vigatānando dūyamānena cetasā

Having regained consciousness, tormented by hunger, joyless, my mind afflicted, I have come to you for refuge, in need of food.

Verse 25 (markandeya.3.25)

तत् कुरुष्वामलमते मत्त्राणायाचलां मतिम् । प्रयच्छ भक्ष्यं विप्रर्षे प्राणयात्राक्षमं मम ॥ 3.25 ॥

tat kuruṣvāmalamate mattrāṇāyācalāṁ matim prayaccha bhakṣyaṁ viprarṣe prāṇayātrākṣamaṁ mama

Therefore, O one of stainless mind, resolve firmly to protect me; give me, O brahmin-sage, food sufficient to sustain my life."

Verse 26 (markandeya.3.26)

स एवमुक्तः प्रोवाच तमिन्द्रं पक्षिरूपिणम् । प्राणसन्धारणार्थाय दास्ये भक्ष्यं तवेप्सितम् ॥ 3.26 ॥

sa evamuktaḥ provāca tamindraṁ pakṣirūpiṇam prāṇasandhāraṇārthāya dāsye bhakṣyaṁ tavepsitam

Thus addressed, he said to that Indra in the form of a bird: "For the sustaining of your life, I shall give you the food you desire."

Verse 27 (markandeya.3.27)

इत्युक्त्वा पुनरप्येनमपृच्छत् स द्विजोत्तमः । आहारः कस्तवार्थाय उपकल्प्यो भवेन्मया । स चाह नरमांसेन तृप्तिर्भवति मे परा ॥ 3.27 ॥

ityuktvā punarapyenamapṛcchat sa dvijottamaḥ āhāraḥ kastavārthāya upakalpyo bhavenmayā sa cāha naramāṁsena tṛptirbhavati me parā

Having said this, that best of brahmins asked him again: "What food should I prepare for you?" And he replied: "My supreme satisfaction comes from human flesh."

Verse 28 (markandeya.3.28)

ऋषिरुवाच कौमारं ते व्यतिक्रान्तमतीतं यौवनञ्च ते । वयसः परिणामस्ते वर्तते नूनमण्डज ॥ 3.28 ॥

ṛṣiruvāca kaumāraṁ te vyatikrāntamatītaṁ yauvanañca te vayasaḥ pariṇāmaste vartate nūnamaṇḍaja

The sage said: "Your boyhood has passed, your youth too has gone; you are now, O egg-born one, surely in the decline of life.

Verse 29 (markandeya.3.29)

यस्मिन् नराणां सर्वेषामशेषेच्छा निवर्तते । स कस्माद् वृद्धभावेऽपि सुनृशंसात्मको भवान् ॥ 3.29 ॥

yasmin narāṇāṁ sarveṣāmaśeṣecchā nivartate sa kasmād vṛddhabhāve ’pi sunṛśaṁsātmako bhavān

At the age when all desire ceases entirely in men, why then, even in old age, are you so exceedingly cruel of nature?

Verse 30 (markandeya.3.30)

क्व मानुषस्य पिशितं क्व वयश्चरमं तव । सर्वथा दुष्टभावानां प्रशमो नोपपद्यते ॥ 3.30 ॥

kva mānuṣasya piśitaṁ kva vayaścaramaṁ tava sarvathā duṣṭabhāvānāṁ praśamo nopapadyate

What has human flesh to do with your final years? For those of a wholly wicked nature, no cessation of that wickedness is ever possible."

Verse 31 (markandeya.3.31)

अथवा किं मयैतेन प्रोक्तेनास्ति प्रयोजनम् । प्रतिश्रुत्य सदा देयमिति नो भावितं मनः ॥ 3.31 ॥

athavā kiṁ mayaitena proktenāsti prayojanam pratiśrutya sadā deyamiti no bhāvitaṁ manaḥ

"Or rather, what use is there in my saying this? Our conviction has always been that what has been promised must always be given."

Verse 32 (markandeya.3.32)

इत्युक्त्वा तं स विप्रेन्द्रस्तथेति कृतनिश्चयः । शीघ्रमस्मान् समाहूय गुणतोऽनुप्रशस्य च ॥ 3.32 ॥

ityuktvā taṁ sa viprendrastatheti kṛtaniścayaḥ śīghramasmān samāhūya guṇato ’nupraśasya ca

Having said this to him, that foremost of brahmins, having resolved "so be it," quickly summoned us, and having first praised us for our virtues,

Verse 33 (markandeya.3.33)

उवाच क्षुब्धहृदयो मुनिर्वाक्यं सुनिष्ठुरम् । विनयावनतान् सर्वान् भक्तियुक्तान् कृताञ्जलीन् ॥ 3.33 ॥

uvāca kṣubdhahṛdayo munirvākyaṁ suniṣṭhuram vinayāvanatān sarvān bhaktiyuktān kṛtāñjalīn

the sage, his heart deeply troubled, spoke this exceedingly harsh command to all of us, who stood humbly bowed, devoted, our hands folded in reverence.

Verse 34 (markandeya.3.34)

कृतात्मानो द्विजश्रेष्ठा ऋणैर्युक्ता मया सह । जातं श्रेष्ठमपत्यं वो यूयं मम यथा द्विजाः ॥ 3.34 ॥

kṛtātmāno dvijaśreṣṭhā ṛṇairyuktā mayā saha jātaṁ śreṣṭhamapatyaṁ vo yūyaṁ mama yathā dvijāḥ

"O best of the twice-born, disciplined in soul, bound to me by debts — you are born as my excellent offspring, O brahmins, as truly mine as sons.

Verse 35 (markandeya.3.35)

गुरुः पूज्यो यदि मतो भवतां परमः पिता । ततः कुरुत मे वाक्यं निर्व्यलीकेन चेतसा ॥ 3.35 ॥

guruḥ pūjyo yadi mato bhavatāṁ paramaḥ pitā tataḥ kuruta me vākyaṁ nirvyalīkena cetasā

If your guru is deemed by you worthy of worship, your supreme father — then carry out my word, with a mind free of deceit."

Verse 36 (markandeya.3.36)

तद्वाक्यसमकालञ्च प्रोक्तमस्माभिरादृतैः । यद्वक्ष्यति भवांस्तद्वै कृतमेवावधार्यताम् ॥ 3.36 ॥

tadvākyasamakālañca proktamasmābhirādṛtaiḥ yadvakṣyati bhavāṁstadvai kṛtamevāvadhāryatām

At that very moment we, honoring him, replied: "Whatever you shall command, consider it as good as already done."

Verse 37 (markandeya.3.37)

ऋषिरुवाच मामेष शरणं प्राप्तो विहगः क्षुत्तृषान्वितः । युष्मन्मांसेन येनास्य क्षणं तृप्तिर्भवेत वै ॥ 3.37 ॥

ṛṣiruvāca māmeṣa śaraṇaṁ prāpto vihagaḥ kṣuttṛṣānvitaḥ yuṣmanmāṁsena yenāsya kṣaṇaṁ tṛptirbhaveta vai

The sage said: "This bird, afflicted with hunger and thirst, has come to me for refuge; so that he may be satisfied even for a moment, by your flesh,

Verse 38 (markandeya.3.38)

तृष्णाक्षयञ्च रक्तेन तथा शीघ्नं विधीयताम् । ततो वयं प्रव्यथिताः प्रकम्पोद्भूतसाध्वसाः । कष्टं कष्टमिति प्रोच्य नैतत् कुर्मेति चाब्रुवन् ॥ 3.38 ॥

tṛṣṇākṣayañca raktena tathā śīghnaṁ vidhīyatām tato vayaṁ pravyathitāḥ prakampodbhūtasādhvasāḥ kaṣṭaṁ kaṣṭamiti procya naitat kurmeti cābruvan

and that his thirst may be quenched by your blood — let this be done at once." Thereupon we, deeply distressed, trembling with terror, cried out, "Alas, alas!" and said, "This we cannot do."

Verse 39 (markandeya.3.39)

कथं परशरीरस्य हेतोर्देहं स्वकं बुधः । विनाशयेद् घातयेद्वा यथा ह्यात्मा तथा सुतः ॥ 3.39 ॥

kathaṁ paraśarīrasya hetordehaṁ svakaṁ budhaḥ vināśayed ghātayedvā yathā hyātmā tathā sutaḥ

"How could a wise man destroy or cause the destruction of his own body for the sake of another's body? As is one's own self, so is one's son.

Verse 40 (markandeya.3.40)

पितृ-देव-मनुष्याणां यान्युक्तानि ऋणानि वै । तान्यपाकुरुते पुत्रो न शरीरप्रदः सुतः ॥ 3.40 ॥

pitṛ-deva-manuṣyāṇāṁ yānyuktāni ṛṇāni vai tānyapākurute putro na śarīrapradaḥ sutaḥ

A son discharges the debts owed to ancestors, gods, and men — but a son is not one who merely offers up his body.

Verse 41 (markandeya.3.41)

तस्मान्नैतत् करिष्यामो नी चीर्णं यत् पुरातनैः । जीवन् भद्राण्यवाप्नोति जीवन् पुण्यं करोति च ॥ 3.41 ॥

tasmānnaitat kariṣyāmo nī cīrṇaṁ yat purātanaiḥ jīvan bhadrāṇyavāpnoti jīvan puṇyaṁ karoti ca

Therefore we shall not do this, which the ancients never practiced. Living, one obtains good things; living, one performs meritorious deeds.

Verse 42 (markandeya.3.42)

मृतस्य देहनाशश्च धर्माद्युपरतिस्तथा । आत्मानं सर्वतो रक्ष्यमाहुर्धर्मविदो जनाः ॥ 3.42 ॥

mṛtasya dehanāśaśca dharmādyuparatistathā ātmānaṁ sarvato rakṣyamāhurdharmavido janāḥ

For one who is dead, the body perishes, and likewise all cessation of dharma follows; those who know dharma declare that one's self must be protected in every way."

Verse 43 (markandeya.3.43)

इत्थं श्रुत्वा वचोऽस्माकं मुनिः क्रोधादिव ज्वलन् । प्रोवाच पुनरप्यस्मान् निर्दहन्निव लोचनैः ॥ 3.43 ॥

itthaṁ śrutvā vaco ’smākaṁ muniḥ krodhādiva jvalan provāca punarapyasmān nirdahanniva locanaiḥ

Hearing our words thus, the sage, blazing as if with anger, spoke to us again, his eyes seeming to burn us up.

Verse 44 (markandeya.3.44)

प्रतिज्ञातं वचो मह्यं यस्मान्नैतत् करिष्यथ । तस्मान्मच्छापनिर्दग्धास्तिर्यग्योनौ प्रयास्यथ ॥ 3.44 ॥

pratijñātaṁ vaco mahyaṁ yasmānnaitat kariṣyatha tasmānmacchāpanirdagdhāstiryagyonau prayāsyatha

"Since you shall not fulfil the word promised to me, therefore, burned by my curse, you shall go to birth in an animal womb."

Verse 45 (markandeya.3.45)

एवमुक्त्वा तदा सोऽस्मास्तं विहङ्गमथाब्रवीत् । अन्त्येष्टिमात्मनः कृत्वा शास्त्रतश्चौर्ध्वदेहिकम् ॥ 3.45 ॥

evamuktvā tadā so ’smāstaṁ vihaṅgamathābravīt antyeṣṭimātmanaḥ kṛtvā śāstrataścaurdhvadehikam

Having said this to us, he then said to that bird: "Having performed my own last rites and the funerary observances according to scripture,

Verse 46 (markandeya.3.46)

भक्षयस्व सुविश्रब्धौ मामत्र द्विजसत्तम । आहारीकृतमेतत् ते मया देहमिहात्मनः ॥ 3.46 ॥

bhakṣayasva suviśrabdhau māmatra dvijasattama āhārīkṛtametat te mayā dehamihātmanaḥ

devour me with full confidence, O best of the twice-born; I have here made ready for you my own body as food."

Verse 47 (markandeya.3.47)

एतावदेव विप्रस्य ब्राह्मणत्वं प्रचक्ष्यते । यावत् पतगजात्यग्रय स्वसत्यपरिपालनम् ॥ 3.47 ॥

etāvadeva viprasya brāhmaṇatvaṁ pracakṣyate yāvat patagajātyagraya svasatyaparipālanam

"This alone, O foremost among the bird-born, is declared to be the true brahminhood of a brahmin — the keeping of one's own word."

Verse 48 (markandeya.3.48)

न यज्ञैर्दक्षिणावद्भिस्तत् पुण्यं प्राप्यते महत् । कर्मणान्येन वा विप्रैर्यत् सत्यपरिपालनात् ॥ 3.48 ॥

na yajñairdakṣiṇāvadbhistat puṇyaṁ prāpyate mahat karmaṇānyena vā viprairyat satyaparipālanāt

"Not by sacrifices accompanied with gifts, nor by any other act, do brahmins obtain that great merit which comes from the keeping of truth."

Verse 49 (markandeya.3.49)

इत्यृषेर्वचनं श्रुत्वा सोऽन्तर्विस्मयनिर्भरः । प्रत्युवाच मुनिं शक्रः पक्षिरूपधरस्तदा ॥ 3.49 ॥

ityṛṣervacanaṁ śrutvā so ’ntarvismayanirbharaḥ pratyuvāca muniṁ śakraḥ pakṣirūpadharastadā

Hearing the sage's words, Shakra, then wearing the form of a bird, filled inwardly with astonishment, replied to the sage.

Verse 50 (markandeya.3.50)

योगमास्थाय विप्रेन्द्र त्यजेदं स्वं कलेवरम् । जीवज्जन्तुं हि विप्रेन्द्र न भक्षामि कदाचन ॥ 3.50 ॥

yogamāsthāya viprendra tyajedaṁ svaṁ kalevaram jīvajjantuṁ hi viprendra na bhakṣāmi kadācana

"O best of brahmins, resort to yoga and give up this body of yours — for, O best of brahmins, I never eat a living creature."

Verse 51 (markandeya.3.51)

तस्मैतद्वचनं श्रुत्वा योगयुक्तोऽभवन्मुनिः । तं तस्य निश्चयं ज्ञात्वा शक्रोऽप्याह स्वदेहभृत् ॥ 3.51 ॥

tasmaitadvacanaṁ śrutvā yogayukto ’bhavanmuniḥ taṁ tasya niścayaṁ jñātvā śakro ’pyāha svadehabhṛt

Hearing this speech addressed to him, the sage engaged himself in yoga; and knowing his resolve, Shakra, resuming his own form, spoke.

Verse 52 (markandeya.3.52)

भो भो विप्रेन्द्र बुध्यस्व बुद्ध्या बोध्यं बुधात्मक । जिज्ञासार्थं मयायं ते अपराधः कृतोऽनघ ॥ 3.52 ॥

bho bho viprendra budhyasva buddhyā bodhyaṁ budhātmaka jijñāsārthaṁ mayāyaṁ te aparādhaḥ kṛto ’nagha

"O, O best of brahmins, awaken to what is to be understood with the understanding, O wise soul! For the sake of testing you, O sinless one, this offense was committed by me against you.

Verse 53 (markandeya.3.53)

तत् क्षमस्वामलमते का चेच्छा क्रियतां तव । पालनात् सत्यवाक्यस्य प्रीतिर्मे परमा त्वयि ॥ 3.53 ॥

tat kṣamasvāmalamate kā cecchā kriyatāṁ tava pālanāt satyavākyasya prītirme paramā tvayi

Therefore forgive me, O stainless-minded one; and whatever wish you have, let it be granted. By your keeping of the truth of your word, my highest pleasure has been won in you.

Verse 54 (markandeya.3.54)

अद्यप्रभृति ते ज्ञानमैन्द्रं प्रादुर्भविष्यति । तपस्यथ तथा धर्मे न ते विघ्नो भविष्यति ॥ 3.54 ॥

adyaprabhṛti te jñānamaindraṁ prādurbhaviṣyati tapasyatha tathā dharme na te vighno bhaviṣyati

From this day forth, the knowledge of Indra shall manifest in you, and in your austerity and in dharma there shall be no obstacle for you."

Verse 55 (markandeya.3.55)

इत्युक्त्वा तु गते शक्रे पिता कोपसमन्वितः । प्रणम्य शिरसास्माभिरिदमुक्तो महामुनिः ॥ 3.55 ॥

ityuktvā tu gate śakre pitā kopasamanvitaḥ praṇamya śirasāsmābhiridamukto mahāmuniḥ

Having said this, when Shakra had departed, our father, still filled with anger, was addressed by us, bowing our heads, the great sage —

Verse 56 (markandeya.3.56)

बिभ्यतां मरणात् तात त्वमस्माकं महामते । क्षन्तुमर्हसि दीनानां जीवितप्रियता हि नः ॥ 3.56 ॥

bibhyatāṁ maraṇāt tāta tvamasmākaṁ mahāmate kṣantumarhasi dīnānāṁ jīvitapriyatā hi naḥ

"O father, O great-minded one, you should forgive us, fearful of death as we are; for love of life is indeed natural to us who are lowly.

Verse 57 (markandeya.3.57)

त्वगस्थिमांससङ्घाते पूयशोणितपूरिते । कर्तव्या न रतिर्यत्र तत्रास्माकमियं रतिः ॥ 3.57 ॥

tvagasthimāṁsasaṅghāte pūyaśoṇitapūrite kartavyā na ratiryatra tatrāsmākamiyaṁ ratiḥ

In this mass of skin, bone and flesh, filled with pus and blood, where attachment ought not to be formed — even there, this attachment of ours persists.

Verse 58 (markandeya.3.58)

श्रूयतां च महाभाग यथा लोको विमुह्यति । कामक्रोधादिभिर्देषैरवशः प्रबलारिभिः ॥ 3.58 ॥

śrūyatāṁ ca mahābhāga yathā loko vimuhyati kāmakrodhādibhirdeṣairavaśaḥ prabalāribhiḥ

And hear, O illustrious one, how the world is deluded, helpless before the powerful enemies that are the faults of desire, anger, and the rest.

Verse 59 (markandeya.3.59)

प्रज्ञाप्राकारसंयुक्तमस्थिस्थूणं परं महत् । चर्मभित्तिमहारोधं मांसशोणितलेपनम् ॥ 3.59 ॥

prajñāprākārasaṁyuktamasthisthūṇaṁ paraṁ mahat carmabhittimahārodhaṁ māṁsaśoṇitalepanam

The body is a great and mighty city, furnished with the rampart of wisdom, its pillars of bone, its great enclosing wall of skin, plastered with flesh and blood,

Verse 60 (markandeya.3.60)

नवद्वारं महायामं सर्वतः स्नायुवेष्टितम् । नृपश्च पुरुषस्तत्र चेतनावानवस्थितः ॥ 3.60 ॥

navadvāraṁ mahāyāmaṁ sarvataḥ snāyuveṣṭitam nṛpaśca puruṣastatra cetanāvānavasthitaḥ

with nine gates, of great extent, bound all round with sinews; and within it dwells, as its king, the conscious person.

Verse 61 (markandeya.3.61)

मन्त्रिणौ तस्य बुद्धिश्च मनश्चैव विरोधिनौ । यतेते वैरनाशाय तावुभावितरेतरम् ॥ 3.61 ॥

mantriṇau tasya buddhiśca manaścaiva virodhinau yatete vairanāśāya tāvubhāvitaretaram

His two ministers are Intellect and Mind, who are opposed to one another; each of the two strives for the destruction of the other in their mutual enmity.

Verse 62 (markandeya.3.62)

नृपस्य तस्य चत्वारो नाशमिच्छन्ति विद्विषः । कामः क्रोधस्तथा लोभो मोहश्चान्यस्तथा रिपुः ॥ 3.62 ॥

nṛpasya tasya catvāro nāśamicchanti vidviṣaḥ kāmaḥ krodhastathā lobho mohaścānyastathā ripuḥ

That king has four enemies who desire his destruction: Desire, Anger, likewise Greed, and Delusion, another foe besides.

Verse 63 (markandeya.3.63)

यदा तु स नृपस्तानि द्वाराण्यावृत्य तिष्ठति । सदा सुस्थबलश्चैव निरातङ्कश्च जायते ॥ 3.63 ॥

yadā tu sa nṛpastāni dvārāṇyāvṛtya tiṣṭhati sadā susthabalaścaiva nirātaṅkaśca jāyate

But when that king keeps those gates closed and remains within, he ever grows firm in strength and free from all affliction —

Verse 64 (markandeya.3.64)

जातानुरागो भवति शत्रुभिर्नाभिभूयते ॥ 3.64 ॥

jātānurāgo bhavati śatrubhirnābhibhūyate

he becomes possessed of true affection, and is not overcome by his enemies.

Verse 65 (markandeya.3.65)

यदा तु सर्वद्वाराणि विवृतानि स मुञ्चति । रागो नाम तदा शत्रुर्नेत्रादिद्वारमृच्छति ॥ 3.65 ॥

yadā tu sarvadvārāṇi vivṛtāni sa muñcati rāgo nāma tadā śatrurnetrādidvāramṛcchati

But when he leaves all the gates flung open, then the enemy called Attachment enters by the gate of the eye and the rest.

Verse 66 (markandeya.3.66)

सर्वव्यापी महायामः पञ्चद्वारप्रवेशनः । तस्यानुमार्गं विशति तद्वै घोरं रिपुत्रयम् ॥ 3.66 ॥

sarvavyāpī mahāyāmaḥ pañcadvārapraveśanaḥ tasyānumārgaṁ viśati tadvai ghoraṁ riputrayam

That all-pervading enemy, entering through the vast expanse of the five gates, is followed into his very path by that terrible trio of foes.

Verse 67 (markandeya.3.67)

प्रविश्याथ स वै तत्र द्वारैरिन्द्रियसंज्ञकैः । रागः शंश्लेषमायाति मनसा च सहेतरैः ॥ 3.67 ॥

praviśyātha sa vai tatra dvārairindriyasaṁjñakaiḥ rāgaḥ śaṁśleṣamāyāti manasā ca sahetaraiḥ

Having entered there through the gates called the senses, Attachment then unites itself with the Mind, and with the other foes as well.

Verse 68 (markandeya.3.68)

इन्द्रियाणि मनश्चैव वशे कृत्वा दुरासदः । द्वाराणि च वशे कृत्वा प्राकारं नाशयत्यथ ॥ 3.68 ॥

indriyāṇi manaścaiva vaśe kṛtvā durāsadaḥ dvārāṇi ca vaśe kṛtvā prākāraṁ nāśayatyatha

That formidable foe, having brought the senses and the mind under his sway, and having brought the gates under his control, then destroys the rampart.

Verse 69 (markandeya.3.69)

मनस्तस्याश्रितं दृष्ट्वा बुद्धिर्नश्यति तत्क्षणात् । अमात्यरहितस्तत्र पौरवर्गोज्झितस्तथा ॥ 3.69 ॥

manastasyāśritaṁ dṛṣṭvā buddhirnaśyati tatkṣaṇāt amātyarahitastatra pauravargojjhitastathā

Seeing that the mind has fallen under his sway, the intellect perishes that very instant; and then, deprived of his minister, and abandoned likewise by the mass of his citizens,

Verse 70 (markandeya.3.70)

रिपुभिर्लब्धविवरः स नृपो नाशमृच्छति । एवं रागस्तथा मोहो लोभः क्रोधस्तथैव च ॥ 3.70 ॥

ripubhirlabdhavivaraḥ sa nṛpo nāśamṛcchati evaṁ rāgastathā moho lobhaḥ krodhastathaiva ca

that king, his defenses breached by his enemies, meets his ruin. Thus Attachment, and likewise Delusion, Greed, and Anger too,

Verse 71 (markandeya.3.71)

प्रवर्तन्ते दुरात्मानो मनुष्यस्मृतिनाशकाः । रागात्तु क्रोधः प्रभवति क्रोधाल्लोभोऽभिजायते ॥ 3.71 ॥

pravartante durātmāno manuṣyasmṛtināśakāḥ rāgāttu krodhaḥ prabhavati krodhāllobho ’bhijāyate

these evil-natured ones proceed to destroy a man's memory. From attachment, anger arises; from anger, greed is born;

Verse 72 (markandeya.3.72)

लोभाद्भवति संमोहः संमोहात् स्मृतिविभ्रमः । स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात् प्रणश्यति ॥ 3.72 ॥

lobhādbhavati saṁmohaḥ saṁmohāt smṛtivibhramaḥ smṛtibhraṁśād buddhināśo buddhināśāt praṇaśyati

from greed comes utter delusion; from delusion, confusion of memory; from loss of memory, ruin of the intellect; and from ruin of the intellect, a man perishes utterly.

Verse 73 (markandeya.3.73)

एवं प्रणष्टबुद्धीनां रागलोभानुवर्तिनाम् । जीविते च सलोभानां प्रसादं कुरु सत्तम ॥ 3.73 ॥

evaṁ praṇaṣṭabuddhīnāṁ rāgalobhānuvartinām jīvite ca salobhānāṁ prasādaṁ kuru sattama

Thus, O most virtuous one, be gracious toward us, whose intellects are ruined, who follow after attachment and greed, and who cling with greed to our own lives.

Verse 74 (markandeya.3.74)

योऽयं शापो भगवता दत्तः स न भवेत् तथा । न तामसीं गतिं कष्टां व्रजेम मुनिसत्तम ॥ 3.74 ॥

yo ’yaṁ śāpo bhagavatā dattaḥ sa na bhavet tathā na tāmasīṁ gatiṁ kaṣṭāṁ vrajema munisattama

Let this curse, given by you, our lord, not come to pass as declared; and let us, O best of sages, not go to that dreadful, dark destiny."

Verse 75 (markandeya.3.75)

यन्मयोक्तं न तन्मिथ्या भविष्यति कदाचन । न मे वागनृतं प्राह यावदद्येति पुत्रकाः ॥ 3.75 ॥

yanmayoktaṁ na tanmithyā bhaviṣyati kadācana na me vāganṛtaṁ prāha yāvadadyeti putrakāḥ

"What I have spoken shall never prove false; my speech has never uttered an untruth up to this very day, my sons.

Verse 76 (markandeya.3.76)

दैवमत्र परं मन्ये धिक् पौरुषमनर्थकम् । अकार्यं कारितो येन बलादहमचिन्तितम् ॥ 3.76 ॥

daivamatra paraṁ manye dhik pauruṣamanarthakam akāryaṁ kārito yena balādahamacintitam

I consider Fate supreme in this matter — a curse on futile human effort! — by which I was made, against my will, to do a deed unbefitting me, one I had never intended.

Verse 77 (markandeya.3.77)

यस्माच्च युष्माभिरहं प्रणिपत्य प्रसादितः । तस्मात् तिर्यक्त्वमापन्नाः परं ज्ञानमवाप्स्यथ ॥ 3.77 ॥

yasmācca yuṣmābhirahaṁ praṇipatya prasāditaḥ tasmāt tiryaktvamāpannāḥ paraṁ jñānamavāpsyatha

But since I have been propitiated by you, bowing before me, therefore, though you shall attain to the state of animals, you shall also attain to the highest knowledge.

Verse 78 (markandeya.3.78)

ज्ञानदर्शितमार्गाश्च निर्धूतक्लेशकल्मषाः । मत्प्रसादादसन्दिग्धाः परां सिद्धिमवाप्स्यथ ॥ 3.78 ॥

jñānadarśitamārgāśca nirdhūtakleśakalmaṣāḥ matprasādādasandigdhāḥ parāṁ siddhimavāpsyatha

With your path shown by knowledge, your afflictions and impurities shaken off, by my grace, free of all doubt, you shall attain the highest perfection."

Verse 79 (markandeya.3.79)

एवं शप्ताः स्म भगवन् पित्रा दैववशात् पुरा । ततः कालेन महता योन्यन्तरमुपागताः ॥ 3.79 ॥

evaṁ śaptāḥ sma bhagavan pitrā daivavaśāt purā tataḥ kālena mahatā yonyantaramupāgatāḥ

Thus, O lord, were we cursed formerly by our father, through the power of Fate; and after a long time we came to another womb.

Verse 80 (markandeya.3.80)

जाताश्च रणमध्ये वै भवता परिपालिताः । वयमित्थं द्विजश्रेष्ठ खगत्वं समुपागताः । नास्त्यसाविह संसारे यो न दिष्टेन बाध्यते ॥ 3.80 ॥

jātāśca raṇamadhye vai bhavatā paripālitāḥ vayamitthaṁ dvijaśreṣṭha khagatvaṁ samupāgatāḥ nāstyasāviha saṁsāre yo na diṣṭena bādhyate

Born in the midst of battle, we were protected by you; thus, O best of the twice-born, have we come to this state of being birds. There is no one in this world of transmigration who is not bound by destiny."

Verse 81 (markandeya.3.81)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच इति तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा शमीको भगवान् मुनिः । प्रत्युवाच महाभागः समीपस्थायिनो द्विजान् ॥ 3.81 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca iti teṣāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā śamīko bhagavān muniḥ pratyuvāca mahābhāgaḥ samīpasthāyino dvijān

Having heard their words, the blessed sage Shamika, the illustrious one, replied to the brahmins standing near him.

Verse 82 (markandeya.3.82)

पूर्वमेव मया प्रोक्तं भवतां सन्निधाविदम् । सामान्यपक्षिणो नैते केऽप्येते द्विजसत्तमाः । ये युद्धेऽपि न सम्प्राप्ताः पञ्चत्वमतिमानुषे ॥ 3.82 ॥

pūrvameva mayā proktaṁ bhavatāṁ sannidhāvidam sāmānyapakṣiṇo naite ke ’pyete dvijasattamāḥ ye yuddhe ’pi na samprāptāḥ pañcatvamatimānuṣe

"This I had already declared before, in your presence: these are no ordinary birds at all, O best of brahmins — these who, even in this superhuman battle, did not meet their death."

Verse 83 (markandeya.3.83)

ततः प्रीतिमता तेन तेऽनुज्ञाता महात्मना । जग्मुः शिखरिणां श्रेष्टं विन्ध्यं द्रुमलतायुतम् ॥ 3.83 ॥

tataḥ prītimatā tena te ’nujñātā mahātmanā jagmuḥ śikhariṇāṁ śreṣṭaṁ vindhyaṁ drumalatāyutam

Then, given leave by that great-souled and delighted sage, they went to the Vindhya, foremost of mountains, covered with trees and creepers.

Verse 84 (markandeya.3.84)

यावदद्य स्थितास्तस्मिन्नचले धर्मपक्षिणः । तपः स्वाध्यायनिरताः समाधौ कृतनिश्चयाः ॥ 3.84 ॥

yāvadadya sthitāstasminnacale dharmapakṣiṇaḥ tapaḥ svādhyāyaniratāḥ samādhau kṛtaniścayāḥ

And to this very day those righteous birds remain upon that mountain, devoted to austerity and Vedic study, resolved in meditation.

Verse 85 (markandeya.3.85)

इति मुनिवरलब्धसत्क्रियास्ते मुनितनया विहगत्वमभ्युपेताः । गिरिवरगहनेऽतिपुण्यतोये यतमनसो निवसन्ति विन्ध्यपृष्ठे ॥ 3.85 ॥

iti munivaralabdhasatkriyāste munitanayā vihagatvamabhyupetāḥ girivaragahane ’tipuṇyatoye yatamanaso nivasanti vindhyapṛṣṭhe

Thus, having received sacred rites from the best of sages, those sons of the sage, though come to the state of birds, dwell with disciplined minds upon the ridge of the Vindhya, amid its deep forests and its most sacred waters.