The Telling of the Omens of Death

Verse 1 (markandeya.43.1)

दत्तात्रेय उवाच अरिष्टानि महाराज ! शृणु वक्ष्यामि तानि ते । येषामालोकनान्मृत्युं निजं जानाति योगवित् ॥ 43.1 ॥

dattātreya uvāca ariṣṭāni mahārāja ! śṛṇu vakṣyāmi tāni te yeṣāmālokanānmṛtyuṁ nijaṁ jānāti yogavit

Dattatreya said: O great king, listen — I shall tell you those omens by observing which the knower of yoga recognizes his own approaching death.

Verse 2 (markandeya.43.2)

देवमार्गं ध्रुवं शुक्रं सोमच्छायामरुन्धतीम् । यो न पश्येन्न जीवेत् स नरः संवत्सरात् परम् ॥ 43.2 ॥

devamārgaṁ dhruvaṁ śukraṁ somacchāyāmarundhatīm yo na paśyenna jīvet sa naraḥ saṁvatsarāt param

The man who cannot see the path of the gods (the Milky Way), the pole star, Venus, the shadow on the moon, or the star Arundhati does not live beyond one year.

Verse 3 (markandeya.43.3)

अरश्मिबिम्बं सूर्यस्य वह्निं चैवांशुमालिनम् । दृष्ट्वै कादशमासात् तु नरो नोर्धन्तु जीवति ॥ 43.3 ॥

araśmibimbaṁ sūryasya vahniṁ caivāṁśumālinam dṛṣṭvai kādaśamāsāt tu naro nordhantu jīvati

One who sees the sun's disc without its rays, or fire without its garland of flame, does not live beyond eleven months.

Verse 4 (markandeya.43.4)

वान्ते मूत्रपूरीषे च यः स्वर्णं रजतं तथा । प्रत्यक्षं कुरुते स्वप्ने जीवेत् स दशमासिकम् ॥ 43.4 ॥

vānte mūtrapūrīṣe ca yaḥ svarṇaṁ rajataṁ tathā pratyakṣaṁ kurute svapne jīvet sa daśamāsikam

One who, in a dream, sees vomit, urine, or excrement — or, alternately, gold and silver — directly before him lives for ten months.

Verse 5 (markandeya.43.5)

दृष्ट्वा प्रेतपिशाचादीन् गन्धर्वनगराणि च । सुवर्णवर्णान् वृक्षांश्च नव मासान् स जीवति ॥ 43.5 ॥

dṛṣṭvā pretapiśācādīn gandharvanagarāṇi ca suvarṇavarṇān vṛkṣāṁśca nava māsān sa jīvati

Having seen ghosts, spirits and the like, or mirage-cities of the gandharvas, or trees of golden hue, he lives for nine months.

Verse 6 (markandeya.43.6)

स्थूलः कृशः कृशः स्थूलो योऽकस्मादेव जायते । प्रकृतेश्च निवर्तेत तस्यायुश्चाष्टमासिकम् ॥ 43.6 ॥

sthūlaḥ kṛśaḥ kṛśaḥ sthūlo yo'kasmādeva jāyate prakṛteśca nivarteta tasyāyuścāṣṭamāsikam

One who suddenly, without cause, grows fat if he was thin, or thin if he was fat, thus departing from his natural constitution, has eight months of life remaining.

Verse 7 (markandeya.43.7)

खण्डं यस्य पदं पार्ष्णयां पादस्याग्रे च वा भवेत् । पांशुकर्दमयोर्मध्ये सप्त मासान् स जीवति ॥ 43.7 ॥

khaṇḍaṁ yasya padaṁ pārṣṇayāṁ pādasyāgre ca vā bhavet pāṁśukardamayormadhye sapta māsān sa jīvati

One whose footprint, made in dust or mud, appears broken at the heel or at the toes, lives for seven months.

Verse 8 (markandeya.43.8)

गृध्रः कपोतः काकालो वायसो वापि मूर्धनि । क्रव्यादो वा खगो नीलः षण्मासायुः प्रदर्शकः ॥ 43.8 ॥

gṛdhraḥ kapotaḥ kākālo vāyaso vāpi mūrdhani kravyādo vā khago nīlaḥ ṣaṇmāsāyuḥ pradarśakaḥ

A vulture, a pigeon, a crow, a raven, a carrion-eating bird, or a blue bird perching on one's head signals a remaining lifespan of six months.

Verse 9 (markandeya.43.9)

हन्यते काकपङ्क्तीभिः पांशुवर्षेण वा नरः । स्वां च्छायामन्यथा दृष्ट्वा चतुः पञ्च स जीवति ॥ 43.9 ॥

hanyate kākapaṅktībhiḥ pāṁśuvarṣeṇa vā naraḥ svāṁ cchāyāmanyathā dṛṣṭvā catuḥ pañca sa jīvati

A man assailed by flocks of crows, or by a shower of dust, or who sees his own shadow appear altered, lives for four or five months.

Verse 10 (markandeya.43.10)

अनभ्रे विद्युतं दृष्ट्वा दक्षिणां दिशमाश्रिताम् । रात्राविन्द्रधनुश्चापि जीवितं द्वित्रिमासिकम् ॥ 43.10 ॥

anabhre vidyutaṁ dṛṣṭvā dakṣiṇāṁ diśamāśritām rātrāvindradhanuścāpi jīvitaṁ dvitrimāsikam

Seeing lightning in a cloudless sky toward the south, or a rainbow at night, means life remains for two or three months.

Verse 11 (markandeya.43.11)

घृते तैले तथादर्शे तोये वा नात्मनस्तनुम् । यः पश्येदशिरस्कां वा मासादूर्ध्वं न जीवति ॥ 43.11 ॥

ghṛte taile tathādarśe toye vā nātmanastanum yaḥ paśyedaśiraskāṁ vā māsādūrdhvaṁ na jīvati

One who fails to see his own reflection in ghee, oil, a mirror, or water — or sees it headless — does not live beyond a month.

Verse 12 (markandeya.43.12)

यस्य वस्तसमो गन्धो गात्रे शवसमोऽपि वा । तस्यार्धमासिकं ज्ञेयं योगिनो नृप ! जीवितम् ॥ 43.12 ॥

yasya vastasamo gandho gātre śavasamo'pi vā tasyārdhamāsikaṁ jñeyaṁ yogino nṛpa ! jīvitam

O king, one whose body begins to smell like a fresh corpse or like a decaying one — for such a yogi, life should be known to be but half a month.

Verse 13 (markandeya.43.13)

यस्य वै स्त्रमात्रस्य हृत्पादमवशुष्यते । पिबतश्च जलं शोषो दशाहं सोऽपि जीवति ॥ 43.13 ॥

yasya vai stramātrasya hṛtpādamavaśuṣyate pibataśca jalaṁ śoṣo daśāhaṁ so'pi jīvati

One whose heart and feet begin to wither even slightly, and who feels his thirst unquenched even while drinking water, has ten days of life remaining.

Verse 14 (markandeya.43.14)

सम्भिन्नो मारुतो यस्य मर्मस्थानानि कृन्तति । हृष्यते नाम्बुसंस्पर्शात् तस्य मृत्युरुपस्थितः ॥ 43.14 ॥

sambhinno māruto yasya marmasthānāni kṛntati hṛṣyate nāmbusaṁsparśāt tasya mṛtyurupasthitaḥ

One whose deranged inner wind cuts through the vital points of the body, and who feels no comfort even at the touch of water — for him, death stands close at hand.

Verse 15 (markandeya.43.15)

ऋक्षवानरयानस्थो गायन् यो दक्षिणां दिशम् । स्वप्ने प्रयाति तस्यापि न मृत्युः कालमिच्छति ॥ 43.15 ॥

ṛkṣavānarayānastho gāyan yo dakṣiṇāṁ diśam svapne prayāti tasyāpi na mṛtyuḥ kālamicchati

One who, in a dream, rides upon a bear or a monkey, singing as he travels toward the south — for him too, death does not wait for its appointed time.

Verse 16 (markandeya.43.16)

रक्तकृष्णाम्बरधरा गायन्ती हसती च यम् । दक्षिणाशान्नयेन्नारी स्वप्ने सोऽपि न जीवति ॥ 43.16 ॥

raktakṛṣṇāmbaradharā gāyantī hasatī ca yam dakṣiṇāśānnayennārī svapne so'pi na jīvati

A woman clothed in red and black, singing and laughing, who in a dream leads a man toward the south — that man, too, will not survive.

Verse 17 (markandeya.43.17)

नग्नं क्षपणकं स्वप्ने हसमानं महाबलम् । एकं संवीक्ष्य वल्गन्तं विद्यान्मृत्युमुपस्थितम् ॥ 43.17 ॥

nagnaṁ kṣapaṇakaṁ svapne hasamānaṁ mahābalam ekaṁ saṁvīkṣya valgantaṁ vidyānmṛtyumupasthitam

Having seen, in a dream, a naked and powerful ascetic, alone, laughing and leaping about — one should know that death is close at hand.

Verse 18 (markandeya.43.18)

आमस्तकतलाद्यस्तु निमग्नं पङ्कसागरे । स्वप्ने पश्यत्यथात्मानं स सद्यो म्रियते नरः ॥ 43.18 ॥

āmastakatalādyastu nimagnaṁ paṅkasāgare svapne paśyatyathātmānaṁ sa sadyo mriyate naraḥ

One who, in a dream, sees himself sunk into an ocean of mud, right up to the top of his head, dies at once.

Verse 19 (markandeya.43.19)

केशाङ्गारांस्तथा भस्म भुजङ्गान्निर्जलां नदीम् । दृष्ट्वा स्वप्ने दशाहात्तु मृत्युरेकादशे दिने ॥ 43.19 ॥

keśāṅgārāṁstathā bhasma bhujaṅgānnirjalāṁ nadīm dṛṣṭvā svapne daśāhāttu mṛtyurekādaśe dine

Having seen, in a dream, one's hair turned to embers, or ashes, serpents, or a river without water, death comes on the eleventh day, ten days hence.

Verse 20 (markandeya.43.20)

करालैर्विकटैः कृष्णैः पुरुषैरुद्यतायुधैः । पाषाणैस्ताडितः स्वप्ने सद्यो मृत्युं लभेन्नरः ॥ 43.20 ॥

karālairvikaṭaiḥ kṛṣṇaiḥ puruṣairudyatāyudhaiḥ pāṣāṇaistāḍitaḥ svapne sadyo mṛtyuṁ labhennaraḥ

A man who, in a dream, is struck with stones by fearsome, monstrous, dark-skinned men brandishing weapons meets death at once.

Verse 21 (markandeya.43.21)

सूर्योदये यस्य शिवा क्रोशन्ती याति संमुखम् । विपरीतं परीतं वा स सद्यो मृत्युमृच्छति ॥ 43.21 ॥

sūryodaye yasya śivā krośantī yāti saṁmukham viparītaṁ parītaṁ vā sa sadyo mṛtyumṛcchati

One toward whom, at sunrise, a jackal comes howling and faces him — whether from an inauspicious direction or a favorable one — meets sudden death.

Verse 22 (markandeya.43.22)

यस्य वै भुक्तमात्रस्य हृदयं बाधते क्षुधा । जायते दन्तघर्षश्च स गतायुर्न संशयम् ॥ 43.22 ॥

yasya vai bhuktamātrasya hṛdayaṁ bādhate kṣudhā jāyate dantagharṣaśca sa gatāyurna saṁśayam

One whose heart, immediately after eating, is again troubled by hunger, and whose teeth begin to grind — has, without doubt, exhausted his allotted span of life.

Verse 23 (markandeya.43.23)

दीपगन्धं न यो वेत्ति त्रस्यत्यह्नि तथा निशि । नात्मानं परनेत्रस्थं वीक्षते न स जीवति ॥ 43.23 ॥

dīpagandhaṁ na yo vetti trasyatyahni tathā niśi nātmānaṁ paranetrasthaṁ vīkṣate na sa jīvati

One who cannot detect the smell of a burning lamp, who trembles by day just as by night, and who cannot see his own reflection in another's eye, does not survive.

Verse 24 (markandeya.43.24)

शक्रायुधं चार्धरात्रे दिवा ग्रहगणन्तथा । दृष्ट्वा मन्येत संक्षीणमात्मजीवितमात्मवित् ॥ 43.24 ॥

śakrāyudhaṁ cārdharātre divā grahagaṇantathā dṛṣṭvā manyeta saṁkṣīṇamātmajīvitamātmavit

One who, at midnight, sees Indra's weapon (a flash of lightning), or by day sees a strange cluster of planets, should — if he is wise — understand that his own life has grown short.

Verse 25 (markandeya.43.25)

नासिका वक्रतामेति कर्णयोर्नमनोन्नती । नेत्रञ्च वामं स्त्रवति यस्य तस्यायुरुद्गतम् ॥ 43.25 ॥

nāsikā vakratāmeti karṇayornamanonnatī netrañca vāmaṁ stravati yasya tasyāyurudgatam

One whose nose becomes crooked, whose ears turn misshapen, bending down or jutting up, and whose left eye begins to water — his life-span has run out.

Verse 26 (markandeya.43.26)

आरक्ततामेति मुखं जिह्वा वा श्यामतां यदा । तदा प्राज्ञो विजानीयान्मृत्युमासन्नमात्मनः ॥ 43.26 ॥

āraktatāmeti mukhaṁ jihvā vā śyāmatāṁ yadā tadā prājño vijānīyānmṛtyumāsannamātmanaḥ

When the mouth takes on a reddish tinge, or the tongue turns dark, then the wise should recognize that their own death draws near.

Verse 27 (markandeya.43.27)

उष्ट्र-रासभयानेन यः स्वप्ने दक्षिणां दिशम् । प्रयाति तञ्च जानीयात् सद्योमृत्युं न संशयः ॥ 43.27 ॥

uṣṭra-rāsabhayānena yaḥ svapne dakṣiṇāṁ diśam prayāti tañca jānīyāt sadyomṛtyuṁ na saṁśayaḥ

One who, in a dream, rides a camel or a donkey toward the south should be known, without doubt, to face death at once.

Verse 28 (markandeya.43.28)

पिधाय कर्णौ निर्घोषं न शृणोत्यात्मसम्भवम् । नश्यते चक्षुषोर्ज्योतिर्यस्य सोऽपि न जीवति ॥ 43.28 ॥

pidhāya karṇau nirghoṣaṁ na śṛṇotyātmasambhavam naśyate cakṣuṣorjyotiryasya so'pi na jīvati

One who, on covering his ears, cannot hear the sound arising within his own body, and whose eyesight fails — he too will not live.

Verse 29 (markandeya.43.29)

पततो यस्य वै गर्ते स्वप्ने द्वारं पिधीयते । न चोत्तिष्ठति यः श्वभ्रात्तदन्तं तस्य जीवितम् ॥ 43.29 ॥

patato yasya vai garte svapne dvāraṁ pidhīyate na cottiṣṭhati yaḥ śvabhrāttadantaṁ tasya jīvitam

One who, in a dream, falling into a pit, sees its mouth closing shut and cannot climb out — his life ends there and then.

Verse 30 (markandeya.43.30)

ऊर्ध्वा च दृष्टिर्न च संप्रतिष्ठा रक्ता पुनः संपरिवर्तमाना । मुखस्य चोष्मा शुषिरञ्च नाभेः शंसन्ति पुंसामपरं शरीरम् ॥ 43.30 ॥

ūrdhvā ca dṛṣṭirna ca saṁpratiṣṭhā raktā punaḥ saṁparivartamānā mukhasya coṣmā śuṣirañca nābheḥ śaṁsanti puṁsāmaparaṁ śarīram

When the gaze turns fixed and upward, no longer settling, growing red and rolling restlessly; when warmth leaves the face and the navel becomes hollow — these signs proclaim that a man is about to exchange this body for another.

Verse 31 (markandeya.43.31)

स्वप्नेऽग्निं प्रविशेद्यस्तु न च निष्क्रमते पुनः । जलप्रवेशादपि वा तदन्तं तस्य जीवितम् ॥ 43.31 ॥

svapne'gniṁ praviśedyastu na ca niṣkramate punaḥ jalapraveśādapi vā tadantaṁ tasya jīvitam

One who, in a dream, enters fire and does not emerge again — or likewise enters water — his life ends there.

Verse 32 (markandeya.43.32)

यश्चाभिहन्यते दुष्टैर्भूतै रात्रावथो दिवा । स मृत्युं सप्तरात्र्यन्ते नरः प्राप्रोत्यसंशयम् ॥ 43.32 ॥

yaścābhihanyate duṣṭairbhūtai rātrāvatho divā sa mṛtyuṁ saptarātryante naraḥ prāprotyasaṁśayam

A man struck by malevolent spirits, whether by night or by day, meets death, without doubt, at the end of seven nights.

Verse 33 (markandeya.43.33)

स्ववस्त्रममलं शुक्लं रक्तं पश्यत्यथासितम् । यः पुमान् मृत्युमासन्नं तस्यापि हि विनिर्दिशेत् ॥ 43.33 ॥

svavastramamalaṁ śuklaṁ raktaṁ paśyatyathāsitam yaḥ pumān mṛtyumāsannaṁ tasyāpi hi vinirdiśet

A man who sees his own clean white garment appear red, or else black, should likewise take this as a sign that his death is near.

Verse 34 (markandeya.43.34)

स्वभाववैपरीत्यन्तु प्रकृतेश्च विपर्ययः । कथयन्ति मनुष्याणां सदासन्नौ यमान्तकौ ॥ 43.34 ॥

svabhāvavaiparītyantu prakṛteśca viparyayaḥ kathayanti manuṣyāṇāṁ sadāsannau yamāntakau

A reversal of one's own nature, and a departure from one's natural disposition — these, it is said, always mean that Yama, the ender, stands close at hand.

Verse 35 (markandeya.43.35)

येषां विनीतः सततं येऽस्य पूज्यतमा मताः । तानेव चावजानाति तानेव च विनिन्दति ॥ 43.35 ॥

yeṣāṁ vinītaḥ satataṁ ye'sya pūjyatamā matāḥ tāneva cāvajānāti tāneva ca vinindati

One who now begins to disdain and revile precisely those whom he has always honored and held most worthy of reverence...

Verse 36 (markandeya.43.36)

देवान्नार्चयते वृद्धान् गुरून् विप्रांश्च निन्दति । मातापित्रोर्न सत्कारं जामातॄणां करोति च ॥ 43.36 ॥

devānnārcayate vṛddhān gurūn viprāṁśca nindati mātāpitrorna satkāraṁ jāmātṝṇāṁ karoti ca

...who no longer worships the gods or his elders, who reviles his teachers and brahmins, who shows no honor to his mother and father, nor to his sons-in-law...

Verse 37 (markandeya.43.37)

योगिनां ज्ञानविदुषामन्येषाञ्च महात्मनाम् । प्राप्ते तु काले पुरुषस्तद्विज्ञेयं विचक्षणैः ॥ 43.37 ॥

yogināṁ jñānaviduṣāmanyeṣāñca mahātmanām prāpte tu kāle puruṣastadvijñeyaṁ vicakṣaṇaiḥ

...in yogis, in those learned in knowledge, and in other great souls — when their time has come, this sign should be recognized by the discerning.

Verse 38 (markandeya.43.38)

योगिनां सततं यत्नादरिष्टान्यवनीपते । संवत्सरान्ते तज्ज्ञेयं फलदानि दिवानिशम् ॥ 43.38 ॥

yogināṁ satataṁ yatnādariṣṭānyavanīpate saṁvatsarānte tajjñeyaṁ phaladāni divāniśam

O lord of the earth, yogis must always, through careful effort, come to know these omens — which yield their fruit, day and night, right up to the end of the year.

Verse 39 (markandeya.43.39)

विलोक्या विशदा चैषां फलपङ्क्तिः सुभीषणा । विज्ञाय कार्यो मनसि स च कालो नरेश्वर ॥ 43.39 ॥

vilokyā viśadā caiṣāṁ phalapaṅktiḥ subhīṣaṇā vijñāya kāryo manasi sa ca kālo nareśvara

Having seen this clear and truly dreadful sequence of consequences, O ruler of men, once one has understood that time, one should hold it fixed in the mind.

Verse 40 (markandeya.43.40)

ज्ञात्व कालञ्च तं सम्यगभयस्थानमाश्रितः । युञ्जीत योगी कालोऽसौ यथा नास्याफलो भवेत् ॥ 43.40 ॥

jñātva kālañca taṁ samyagabhayasthānamāśritaḥ yuñjīta yogī kālo'sau yathā nāsyāphalo bhavet

Having thus rightly recognized that time, and taken refuge in a place free of fear, the yogi should apply himself to yoga in such a way that it does not go to waste.

Verse 41 (markandeya.43.41)

दृष्ट्वारिष्टं तथा योगी त्यक्त्वा मरणजं भयम् । तत्स्वभावं तदालोक्य काले यावत्युपागतम् ॥ 43.41 ॥

dṛṣṭvāriṣṭaṁ tathā yogī tyaktvā maraṇajaṁ bhayam tatsvabhāvaṁ tadālokya kāle yāvatyupāgatam

Having seen the omen, the yogi should set aside the fear born of death, observe its particular nature, and note how much of that foretold time has already passed...

Verse 42 (markandeya.43.42)

तस्य भागे तथैवाह्नो योगं युञ्जीत योगवित् । पूर्वाह्ने चापराह्ने च मध्याह्ने चापि तद्दिने ॥ 43.42 ॥

tasya bhāge tathaivāhno yogaṁ yuñjīta yogavit pūrvāhne cāparāhne ca madhyāhne cāpi taddine

...the knower of yoga should engage in yoga during that corresponding portion of the day itself — whether in the forenoon, the afternoon, or at midday.

Verse 43 (markandeya.43.43)

यत्र वा रजनीभागे तदरिष्टं निरीक्षितम् । तत्रैव तावद्युञ्जीत यावत् प्राप्तं हि तद्दिनम् ॥ 43.43 ॥

yatra vā rajanībhāge tadariṣṭaṁ nirīkṣitam tatraiva tāvadyuñjīta yāvat prāptaṁ hi taddinam

Or, in whichever portion of the night that omen was observed, he should engage in yoga during that same portion, for as long as that period lasts.

Verse 44 (markandeya.43.44)

ततस्त्यक्त्वा भयं सर्वं जित्वा तं कालमात्मवान् । तत्रैवावसथे स्थित्वा यत्र वा स्थैर्यमात्मनः ॥ 43.44 ॥

tatastyaktvā bhayaṁ sarvaṁ jitvā taṁ kālamātmavān tatraivāvasathe sthitvā yatra vā sthairyamātmanaḥ

Then, having abandoned all fear and conquered that time, the self-composed one, remaining in that very dwelling, or wherever else he finds steadiness of mind...

Verse 45 (markandeya.43.45)

युञ्जीत योगं निर्जित्य त्रीन् गुणान् परमात्मनि । तन्मयश्चात्मना भूत्वा चिद्वृत्तिमपि सन्त्यजेत् ॥ 43.45 ॥

yuñjīta yogaṁ nirjitya trīn guṇān paramātmani tanmayaścātmanā bhūtvā cidvṛttimapi santyajet

...should engage in yoga, having conquered the three gunas within the Supreme Self; becoming wholly one with That through the self, he should relinquish even the very functioning of consciousness itself.

Verse 46 (markandeya.43.46)

ततः परमनिर्वाणमतीन्द्रियमगोचरम् । यद्बुद्धेर्यन्न चाख्यातुं शक्यते तत् समश्नुते ॥ 43.46 ॥

tataḥ paramanirvāṇamatīndriyamagocaram yadbuddheryanna cākhyātuṁ śakyate tat samaśnute

Thereafter he attains that supreme Nirvana, transcending the senses, beyond the grasp of intellect and speech, that which cannot be described.

Verse 47 (markandeya.43.47)

एतत् सर्वं समाख्यातं तवालर्क ! यथार्थवत् । प्राप्स्यसे येन तद्ब्रह्म संक्षेपात्तन्निबोध मे ॥ 43.47 ॥

etat sarvaṁ samākhyātaṁ tavālarka ! yathārthavat prāpsyase yena tadbrahma saṁkṣepāttannibodha me

O Alarka, all this has been truly told to you, by which you shall attain that Brahman; now hear this further from me, in brief.

Verse 48 (markandeya.43.48)

शशाङ्करश्मिसंयोगाच्छन्द्रकान्तमणिः पयः । समुत्सृजति नायुक्तः सोपमा योगिनः स्मृता ॥ 43.48 ॥

śaśāṅkaraśmisaṁyogācchandrakāntamaṇiḥ payaḥ samutsṛjati nāyuktaḥ sopamā yoginaḥ smṛtā

Just as, through mere contact with the moon's rays, the moonstone releases water though nothing compels it — this is remembered as an analogy for the yogi.

Verse 49 (markandeya.43.49)

यच्चार्करश्मिसंयोगादर्ककान्तो हुताशनम् । आविष्करोति नैकः सन्नुपमा सापि योगिनः ॥ 43.49 ॥

yaccārkaraśmisaṁyogādarkakānto hutāśanam āviṣkaroti naikaḥ sannupamā sāpi yoginaḥ

And that whereby, through contact with the sun's rays, the sun-crystal manifests fire while itself doing nothing at all — that too is a comparison for the yogi.

Verse 50 (markandeya.43.50)

पिपीलिकाखु-नकुल-गृहगोधा-कपिञ्जलाः । वसन्ति स्वामिवद् गेहे ध्वस्ते यान्ति ततोऽन्यतः ॥ 43.50 ॥

pipīlikākhu-nakula-gṛhagodhā-kapiñjalāḥ vasanti svāmivad gehe dhvaste yānti tato'nyataḥ

Ants, mice, mongooses, house-lizards, and partridges dwell in a house as though it were their own; when it is destroyed, they simply move elsewhere.

Verse 51 (markandeya.43.51)

दुः खन्तु स्वामिनो ध्वंसे तस्य तेषां न किञ्चन । वेश्मनो यत्र राजेन्द्र ! सोपमा योगसिद्धये ॥ 43.51 ॥

duḥ khantu svāmino dhvaṁse tasya teṣāṁ na kiñcana veśmano yatra rājendra ! sopamā yogasiddhaye

When the house's owner meets destruction, none of those creatures feel any grief over it; O foremost of kings, this stands as an analogy, regarding the body as one's dwelling, for the attainment of yoga.

Verse 52 (markandeya.43.52)

मृद्वाहिकाल्पदेहापि मुखाग्रेणाप्यणीयसा । करोति मृद्भारचयमुपदेशः स योगिनः ॥ 43.52 ॥

mṛdvāhikālpadehāpi mukhāgreṇāpyaṇīyasā karoti mṛdbhāracayamupadeśaḥ sa yoginaḥ

Even a tiny, soft-bodied creature, using only the minute tip of its mouth, builds up a great heap of earth — this too is a lesson for the yogi.

Verse 53 (markandeya.43.53)

पशुपक्षिमनुष्याद्यैः पत्रपुष्पफलान्वितम् । वृक्षं विलुप्यमानन्तु दृष्ट्वा सिध्यन्ति योगिनः ॥ 43.53 ॥

paśupakṣimanuṣyādyaiḥ patrapuṣpaphalānvitam vṛkṣaṁ vilupyamānantu dṛṣṭvā sidhyanti yoginaḥ

Having observed a tree, rich with leaves, flowers, and fruit, being stripped bare by beasts, birds, and men — yogis attain accomplishment through such reflection.

Verse 54 (markandeya.43.54)

रुरुशावविषाणाग्रमालक्ष्य तिलकाकृतिम् । सह तेन विवर्धन्तं योगी सिद्धिमवाप्नुयात् ॥ 43.54 ॥

ruruśāvaviṣāṇāgramālakṣya tilakākṛtim saha tena vivardhantaṁ yogī siddhimavāpnuyāt

Having observed the tip of a fawn's horn, shaped like a tilaka mark, growing gradually along with the deer itself — the yogi may attain accomplishment through such reflection.

Verse 55 (markandeya.43.55)

द्रवपूर्णमुपादाय पात्रमारोहतो भुवः । तुङ्गमार्गं विलोक्योच्चैर्विज्ञातं किं न योगिना ॥ 43.55 ॥

dravapūrṇamupādāya pātramārohato bhuvaḥ tuṅgamārgaṁ vilokyoccairvijñātaṁ kiṁ na yoginā

Taking up a vessel filled with liquid and climbing a high, steep path while watching it with unbroken care — what is there that the yogi cannot understand from this?

Verse 56 (markandeya.43.56)

सर्वस्वे जीवनायालं निखाते पुरुषस्य या । चेष्टा तां तत्त्वतो ज्ञात्वा योगिनः कृतकृत्यता ॥ 43.56 ॥

sarvasve jīvanāyālaṁ nikhāte puruṣasya yā ceṣṭā tāṁ tattvato jñātvā yoginaḥ kṛtakṛtyatā

Having truly grasped the effort of a man who buries his entire wealth in the earth for the sake of mere survival — from this, the yogi attains fulfillment of his own purpose.

Verse 57 (markandeya.43.57)

तद्गृहं यत्र वसतिः तद्भोज्यं येन जीवति । येन सम्पद्यते चार्थस्तत्सुखं ममतात्र का ॥ 43.57 ॥

tadgṛhaṁ yatra vasatiḥ tadbhojyaṁ yena jīvati yena sampadyate cārthastatsukhaṁ mamatātra kā

Whatever place he dwells in becomes, for him, "his house"; whatever sustains him becomes "his food"; whatever brings him wealth becomes "his fortune" — but in all this, where is there any true ground for the sense of "mine"?

Verse 58 (markandeya.43.58)

अभ्यर्थितोऽपि तैः कार्यं करोति करणैर्यथा । तथा बुध्यादिभिर्योगी पारक्यैः साधयेत्परम् ॥ 43.58 ॥

abhyarthito'pi taiḥ kāryaṁ karoti karaṇairyathā tathā budhyādibhiryogī pārakyaiḥ sādhayetparam

Just as a man, when asked, can accomplish a task even by means that belong to another — so too should the yogi, using the intellect and other faculties which are not truly his own, accomplish the Supreme.

Verse 59 (markandeya.43.59)

जड उवाच ततः प्रणम्यात्रिपुत्रमलर्कः स महीपतिः । प्रश्रयावनतो वाक्यमुवाचातिमुदान्वितः ॥ 43.59 ॥

jaḍa uvāca tataḥ praṇamyātriputramalarkaḥ sa mahīpatiḥ praśrayāvanato vākyamuvācātimudānvitaḥ

Jada said: Then, having bowed to the son of Atri, that lord of the earth, Alarka, bending low in humility and filled with great joy, spoke these words.

Verse 60 (markandeya.43.60)

अलर्क उवाच दिष्ट्यादेवैरिदं ब्रह्मन् ! पराभिभवसम्भवम् । उपपादितमत्युग्रं प्राणसन्देहदं भयम् ॥ 43.60 ॥

alarka uvāca diṣṭyādevairidaṁ brahman ! parābhibhavasambhavam upapāditamatyugraṁ prāṇasandehadaṁ bhayam

Alarka said: By the grace of the gods, O brahmin, this terrible peril that brought about my downfall and endangered my very life has now been resolved!

Verse 61 (markandeya.43.61)

दिष्ट्या काशिपतेर्भूरि-बलसम्पत्पराक्रमः । यदुच्छेदादिहायातः स युष्मत्सङ्गदो मम ॥ 43.61 ॥

diṣṭyā kāśipaterbhūri-balasampatparākramaḥ yaducchedādihāyātaḥ sa yuṣmatsaṅgado mama

Fortunate indeed is the great might, wealth, and valor of the lord of Kashi, whose attempt to destroy me gave rise to this very chain of events that brought me into your company.

Verse 62 (markandeya.43.62)

दिष्ट्या मन्दबलश्चाहं दिष्ट्या भृत्याश्च मे हताः । दिष्ट्या कोषः क्षयं योतो दिष्ट्याहं भीतिमागतः ॥ 43.62 ॥

diṣṭyā mandabalaścāhaṁ diṣṭyā bhṛtyāśca me hatāḥ diṣṭyā koṣaḥ kṣayaṁ yoto diṣṭyāhaṁ bhītimāgataḥ

Fortunate that I was left weak, fortunate that my servants were slain, fortunate that my treasury ran dry, fortunate that I fell into fear!

Verse 63 (markandeya.43.63)

दिष्ट्या त्वत्पादयुगलं मम स्मृतिपथं गतम् । दिष्ट्या त्वदुक्तयः सर्वा मम चेतसि संस्थितः ॥ 43.63 ॥

diṣṭyā tvatpādayugalaṁ mama smṛtipathaṁ gatam diṣṭyā tvaduktayaḥ sarvā mama cetasi saṁsthitaḥ

Fortunate that your two feet have entered the path of my memory; fortunate that all your words have taken root in my heart.

Verse 64 (markandeya.43.64)

दिष्ट्या ज्ञानं ममोत्पन्नं भवतश्च समागमात् । भवता चैव कारुण्यं दिष्ट्या ब्रह्मन् ! कृतं मम ॥ 43.64 ॥

diṣṭyā jñānaṁ mamotpannaṁ bhavataśca samāgamāt bhavatā caiva kāruṇyaṁ diṣṭyā brahman ! kṛtaṁ mama

Fortunate that knowledge has arisen within me, and that too through meeting with you; and fortunate, O brahmin, that you have shown me such compassion!

Verse 65 (markandeya.43.65)

अनर्थोऽप्यर्थतां याति पुरुषस्य शुभोदये । यथेदमुपकाराय व्यसनं सङ्गमात्तव ॥ 43.65 ॥

anartho'pyarthatāṁ yāti puruṣasya śubhodaye yathedamupakārāya vyasanaṁ saṅgamāttava

For a man whose good fortune is about to dawn, even misfortune turns to advantage — just as this calamity, through my meeting with you, has turned into a benefit for me.

Verse 66 (markandeya.43.66)

सुबाहुरुपकारी मे स च काशिपतिः प्रभो । ययोः कृतेऽहं संप्राप्तो योगीश ! भवतोऽन्तिकम् ॥ 43.66 ॥

subāhurupakārī me sa ca kāśipatiḥ prabho yayoḥ kṛte'haṁ saṁprāpto yogīśa ! bhavato'ntikam

Subahu is my benefactor, my lord — and so too is the lord of Kashi — for it was because of them, O lord of yogis, that I have come into your very presence.

Verse 67 (markandeya.43.67)

सोऽहन्तव प्रसादाग्नि-निर्दग्धाज्ञानकिल्विषः । तथा यतिष्ये येनेदृङ् न भूयां दुः खभाजनम् ॥ 43.67 ॥

so'hantava prasādāgni-nirdagdhājñānakilviṣaḥ tathā yatiṣye yenedṛṅ na bhūyāṁ duḥ khabhājanam

I, whose sin of ignorance has been utterly consumed by the fire of your grace, shall now strive in such a way that I never again become a vessel of such suffering.

Verse 68 (markandeya.43.68)

परित्यजिष्ये गार्हस्थ्यमार्तिपादपकाननम् । त्वत्तोऽनुज्ञां समासाद्य ज्ञानदातुर्महात्मनः ॥ 43.68 ॥

parityajiṣye gārhasthyamārtipādapakānanam tvatto'nujñāṁ samāsādya jñānadāturmahātmanaḥ

Having received your permission, O great soul, giver of knowledge, I shall renounce this household life — this very forest of the tree of affliction.

Verse 69 (markandeya.43.69)

दत्तात्रेय उवाच गच्छ राजेन्द्र ! भद्रं ते यथा ते कथितं मया । निर्ममो निरहङ्कारस्तथा चर विमुक्तये ॥ 43.69 ॥

dattātreya uvāca gaccha rājendra ! bhadraṁ te yathā te kathitaṁ mayā nirmamo nirahaṅkārastathā cara vimuktaye

Dattatreya said: Go, O lord of kings, may all be well with you; as I have instructed you, live free of possessiveness and ego, and walk your path toward liberation.

Verse 70 (markandeya.43.70)

जड उवाच एवमुक्तः प्रणम्यैनमाजगाम त्वरान्वितः । यत्र काशिपतिर्भ्राता सुबाहुश्चास्य सोऽग्रजः ॥ 43.70 ॥

jaḍa uvāca evamuktaḥ praṇamyainamājagāma tvarānvitaḥ yatra kāśipatirbhrātā subāhuścāsya so'grajaḥ

Jada said: Thus addressed, having bowed to him, Alarka went swiftly to where the lord of Kashi's brother, Subahu — his own elder brother — was to be found.

Verse 71 (markandeya.43.71)

समुत्पत्य महाबहुं सोऽलर्कः काशिभूपतिम् । सुबाहोरग्रतो वीरमुवाच प्रहसन्निव ॥ 43.71 ॥

samutpatya mahābahuṁ so'larkaḥ kāśibhūpatim subāhoragrato vīramuvāca prahasanniva

Then Alarka, springing forward before that mighty-armed lord of Kashi, spoke these bold words before Subahu, as though smiling.

Verse 72 (markandeya.43.72)

राज्यकामुक काशीश ! भुज्यतां राज्यमूर्जितम् । तथा च रोचते तद्वत् सुबाहोः संप्रयच्छ वा ॥ 43.72 ॥

rājyakāmuka kāśīśa ! bhujyatāṁ rājyamūrjitam tathā ca rocate tadvat subāhoḥ saṁprayaccha vā

O lord of Kashi, so eager for kingship — enjoy this mighty realm; or, if you prefer, it may just as well be handed over to Subahu.

Verse 73 (markandeya.43.73)

काशिराज उवाच किमलर्क ! परित्यक्तं राज्यं ते संयुगं विना । क्षत्रियस्य न धर्मोऽयं भवांश्च क्षत्रधर्मवित् ॥ 43.73 ॥

kāśirāja uvāca kimalarka ! parityaktaṁ rājyaṁ te saṁyugaṁ vinā kṣatriyasya na dharmo'yaṁ bhavāṁśca kṣatradharmavit

The King of Kashi said: What is this, Alarka? Do you abandon your kingdom without even a battle? This is no dharma for a kshatriya — and you yourself know the duties of your warrior class well.

Verse 74 (markandeya.43.74)

निर्जितामात्यवर्गस्तु त्यक्त्वा मरणजं भयम् । सन्दधीत शरं राजा लक्ष्यमुद्दिश्य वैरिणम् ॥ 43.74 ॥

nirjitāmātyavargastu tyaktvā maraṇajaṁ bhayam sandadhīta śaraṁ rājā lakṣyamuddiśya vairiṇam

Having overcome the enemy's counselors, and casting off the fear born of death, a king should fit his arrow, taking his enemy as the target.

Verse 75 (markandeya.43.75)

तं जित्वा नृपतिर्भोगान् यथाभिलषितान् वरान् । भुञ्जीत परमं सिद्ध्यै यजेत च महामखैः ॥ 43.75 ॥

taṁ jitvā nṛpatirbhogān yathābhilaṣitān varān bhuñjīta paramaṁ siddhyai yajeta ca mahāmakhaiḥ

Having conquered him, the king should enjoy the pleasures and rewards he desires, for the sake of the highest accomplishment, and should also offer worship through great sacrifices.

Verse 76 (markandeya.43.76)

अलर्क उवाच एवमीदृशकं वीर ! ममाप्यासीन्मनः पुरा । साम्प्रतं विपरीतार्थं शृणु चाप्यत्र कारणम् ॥ 43.76 ॥

alarka uvāca evamīdṛśakaṁ vīra ! mamāpyāsīnmanaḥ purā sāmprataṁ viparītārthaṁ śṛṇu cāpyatra kāraṇam

Alarka said: O hero, my own mind was once just so; now hear the reason why it has become entirely different.

Verse 77 (markandeya.43.77)

यथायं भौतिकः सङ्घस्तथान्तः करणं नृणाम् । गुणास्तु सकलास्तद्वदशेषेष्वेव जन्तुषु ॥ 43.77 ॥

yathāyaṁ bhautikaḥ saṅghastathāntaḥ karaṇaṁ nṛṇām guṇāstu sakalāstadvadaśeṣeṣveva jantuṣu

Just as this physical body is a mere aggregate, so too is the inner faculty of men; and the gunas as well are, without exception, exactly alike in all creatures.

Verse 78 (markandeya.43.78)

चिच्छक्तिरेक एवायं यदा नान्योऽस्ति कश्चन । तदा का नृपते ज्ञानान्मित्रारिप्रभुभृत्यता ॥ 43.78 ॥

cicchaktireka evāyaṁ yadā nānyo'sti kaścana tadā kā nṛpate jñānānmitrāriprabhubhṛtyatā

When this single power of consciousness alone exists, and nothing else truly exists at all — then, O king, on what basis of knowledge can there be any distinction of friend, enemy, master, or servant?

Verse 79 (markandeya.43.79)

तन्मया दुः खमासाद्य त्वद्भयोद्भवमुत्तमम् । दत्तात्रेयप्रसादेन ज्ञानं प्राप्तं नरेश्वर ॥ 43.79 ॥

tanmayā duḥ khamāsādya tvadbhayodbhavamuttamam dattātreyaprasādena jñānaṁ prāptaṁ nareśvara

Having thus experienced this truly great suffering, born from fear of you, O lord of men — by the grace of Dattatreya, knowledge has come to me.

Verse 80 (markandeya.43.80)

निर्जितेन्द्रियवर्गस्तु त्यक्त्वा सङ्गमशेषतः । मनो ब्रह्मणि सन्धाय तज्जये परमो जयः ॥ 43.80 ॥

nirjitendriyavargastu tyaktvā saṅgamaśeṣataḥ mano brahmaṇi sandhāya tajjaye paramo jayaḥ

Having thoroughly conquered the array of senses and cast off all attachment, one should fix the mind upon Brahman; in conquering that mind alone lies the supreme victory.

Verse 81 (markandeya.43.81)

संसाध्यमन्यत्तत्सिद्ध्यै यतः किञ्चिन्न विद्यते । इन्द्रियाणि च संयम्य ततः सिद्धिं नियच्छति ॥ 43.81 ॥

saṁsādhyamanyattatsiddhyai yataḥ kiñcinna vidyate indriyāṇi ca saṁyamya tataḥ siddhiṁ niyacchati

There is nothing else to be accomplished for its attainment, since nothing else truly exists; having restrained the senses, one attains accomplishment thereafter.

Verse 82 (markandeya.43.82)

सोऽहं न तेऽरिर्न ममासि शत्रुः सुबाहुरेषो न ममापकारी । दृष्टं मया सर्वमिदं यथात्मा अन्विष्यतां भूप ! रिपुस्त्वयान्यः ॥ 43.82 ॥

so'haṁ na te'rirna mamāsi śatruḥ subāhureṣo na mamāpakārī dṛṣṭaṁ mayā sarvamidaṁ yathātmā anviṣyatāṁ bhūpa ! ripustvayānyaḥ

I am no enemy of yours, nor are you an enemy of mine; nor has this Subahu done me any wrong. I have seen all of this as it truly is — as one with the Self. Seek out some other enemy than these, O king.

Verse 83 (markandeya.43.83)

इत्थं स तेनाभिहितो नरेन्द्रो हृष्टः समुत्थाय ततः सुबाहुः । दिष्ट्येति तं भ्रातरमाभिनन्द्य काशीश्वरं वाक्यमिदं बभाषे ॥ 43.83 ॥

itthaṁ sa tenābhihito narendro hṛṣṭaḥ samutthāya tataḥ subāhuḥ diṣṭyeti taṁ bhrātaramābhinandya kāśīśvaraṁ vākyamidaṁ babhāṣe

Thus addressed, that lord of men, Subahu, rose up with joy, and, praising his brother with the words "How fortunate indeed!", spoke these words to the lord of Kashi.