The Arrangement of the Cosmic Tortoise

Verse 1 (markandeya.58.1)

क्रौष्टुकिरुवाच भगवन् ! कथितं सम्यक् भवता भारतं मम । सरितः पर्वता देशा ये च तत्र वसन्ति वै ॥ 58.1 ॥

krauṣṭukiruvāca bhagavan ! kathitaṁ samyak bhavatā bhārataṁ mama saritaḥ parvatā deśā ye ca tatra vasanti vai

Kraushtuki said: O Lord, you have fully described to me Bharata — its rivers, its mountains, its countries, and those who dwell there.

Verse 2 (markandeya.58.2)

किन्तु कूर्मस्त्वया पूर्वं भारते भगवान् हरिः । कथितस्तस्य संस्थानं श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यशेषतः ॥ 58.2 ॥

kintu kūrmastvayā pūrvaṁ bhārate bhagavān hariḥ kathitastasya saṁsthānaṁ śrotumicchāmyaśeṣataḥ

But earlier you spoke of the Lord Hari, in Bharata, in the form of the tortoise; I wish to hear of that form of his in full.

Verse 3 (markandeya.58.3)

कथं स संस्थितो देवः कूर्मरूपी जनार्दनः । शुभाशुभं मनुष्याणां व्यज्यते च ततः कथम् । यथामुखं यथापादन्तस्य तद् ब्रूह्यशेषतः ॥ 58.3 ॥

kathaṁ sa saṁsthito devaḥ kūrmarūpī janārdanaḥ śubhāśubhaṁ manuṣyāṇāṁ vyajyate ca tataḥ katham yathāmukhaṁ yathāpādantasya tad brūhyaśeṣataḥ

How is that god Janardana situated in tortoise form? And how does the good and evil fortune of men come to be revealed through him? Tell me all this in full, according to his mouth and according to his feet.

Verse 4 (markandeya.58.4)

मार्कण्डेय उवाच प्राङ्मुखो भगवान् ! देवः कूर्मरूपी व्यवस्थितः । आक्रम्य भारतं वर्षं नवभेदमिदं द्विज ॥ 58.4 ॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca prāṅmukho bhagavān ! devaḥ kūrmarūpī vyavasthitaḥ ākramya bhārataṁ varṣaṁ navabhedamidaṁ dvija

Markandeya said: The Lord, that god in tortoise form, O brahmana, is situated facing east, spanning this ninefold land of Bharata.

Verse 5 (markandeya.58.5)

नवधा संस्थितान्यस्य नक्षत्राणि समन्ततः । विषयाश्च द्विजश्रेष्ठ ! ये सम्यक् तान्निबोध मे ॥ 58.5 ॥

navadhā saṁsthitānyasya nakṣatrāṇi samantataḥ viṣayāśca dvijaśreṣṭha ! ye samyak tānnibodha me

His nakshatras, O best of brahmanas, are arranged all around in nine divisions; and learn from me rightly the regions as well.

Verse 6 (markandeya.58.6)

वेदमन्त्रा विमाण्डव्याः शाल्वनीपास्तथा शकाः । उज्जिहानास्तथा वत्स ! घोषसंख्यास्तथा खसाः ॥ 58.6 ॥

vedamantrā vimāṇḍavyāḥ śālvanīpāstathā śakāḥ ujjihānāstathā vatsa ! ghoṣasaṁkhyāstathā khasāḥ

Vedamantras, Vimandavyas, Shalvanipas, and likewise Shakas, Ujjihanas, O child, and likewise Ghoshasamkhyas and Khasas —

Verse 7 (markandeya.58.7)

मध्ये सारस्वता मत्स्याः शूरसेनाः समाथुराः । धर्मारण्या ज्योतिषिका गौरग्रीवा गुडाश्मकाः ॥ 58.7 ॥

madhye sārasvatā matsyāḥ śūrasenāḥ samāthurāḥ dharmāraṇyā jyotiṣikā gauragrīvā guḍāśmakāḥ

— in the middle region are the Sarasvatas, Matsyas, Shurasenas together with the Mathuras, Dharmaranyas, Jyotishikas, Gauragrivas, Gudashmakas,

Verse 8 (markandeya.58.8)

कालकोटिसपाषण्डाः पारियात्रनिवासिनः । कापिङ्गलाः कुरुर्बाह्यस्तथैवोडुम्बरा जनाः ॥ 58.8 ॥

kālakoṭisapāṣaṇḍāḥ pāriyātranivāsinaḥ kāpiṅgalāḥ kururbāhyastathaivoḍumbarā janāḥ

Kalakotis together with the Pashandas, the dwellers of Pariyatra, Kapingalas, the outlying Kurus, and likewise the Udumbara people —

Verse 9 (markandeya.58.9)

वैदेहकाः सपाञ्चालाः संकेताः कङ्कमारुताः । गजाह्वयाश्च कूर्मस्य जलमध्यनिवासिनः ॥ 58.9 ॥

vaidehakāḥ sapāñcālāḥ saṁketāḥ kaṅkamārutāḥ gajāhvayāśca kūrmasya jalamadhyanivāsinaḥ

Vaidehakas together with the Panchalas, Sanketas, Kankamarutas, and Gajahvayas — these dwell in the watery midst of the tortoise.

Verse 10 (markandeya.58.10)

कृत्तिका रोहिणी सौम्या एतेषां मध्यवासिनाम् । नक्षत्रत्रितयं विप्र ! शुभाशुभविपाकदम् ॥ 58.10 ॥

kṛttikā rohiṇī saumyā eteṣāṁ madhyavāsinām nakṣatratritayaṁ vipra ! śubhāśubhavipākadam

Krittika, Rohini, and Mrigashira, O brahmana — these three nakshatras give the fruit of good and evil to these dwellers of the middle region.

Verse 11 (markandeya.58.11)

वृषध्वजोऽञ्जनश्चैव जम्ब्वाख्यो मानवाचलः । शूर्पकर्णो व्याघ्रमुखः खर्मकः कर्वटाशनः ॥ 58.11 ॥

vṛṣadhvajo'ñjanaścaiva jambvākhyo mānavācalaḥ śūrpakarṇo vyāghramukhaḥ kharmakaḥ karvaṭāśanaḥ

Vrishadhvaja, and likewise Anjana, the land called Jambu, Manavachala, Shurpakarna, Vyaghramukha, Kharmaka, Karvatashana,

Verse 12 (markandeya.58.12)

तथा चन्द्रेश्वराश्चैव खशाश्च मगधास्तथा । गिरयो मैथिलाः शुभ्रास्तथा वदनदन्तुराः ॥ 58.12 ॥

tathā candreśvarāścaiva khaśāśca magadhāstathā girayo maithilāḥ śubhrāstathā vadanadanturāḥ

and likewise Chandreshvaras, Khashas, Magadhas likewise, Girayas, Maithilas, Shubhras, and likewise the Vadanadanturas,

Verse 13 (markandeya.58.13)

प्राग्ज्योतिषाः सलौहित्याः सामुद्राः पुरुषादकाः । पुर्णोत्कटो भद्रगौरस्तथोदयगिरिर्द्विज ! ॥ 58.13 ॥

prāgjyotiṣāḥ salauhityāḥ sāmudrāḥ puruṣādakāḥ purṇotkaṭo bhadragaurastathodayagirirdvija !

Pragjyotishas together with the Lauhityas, Samudras, Purushadakas, Purnotkata, Bhadragaura, and, O brahmana, Udayagiri —

Verse 14 (markandeya.58.14)

कशाया मेखलामुष्टास्ताम्रलिप्तैकपादपाः । वर्धमाना कोशलाश्च मुखे कूर्मस्य संश्थिताः ॥ 58.14 ॥

kaśāyā mekhalāmuṣṭāstāmraliptaikapādapāḥ vardhamānā kośalāśca mukhe kūrmasya saṁśthitāḥ

Kashayas, Mekhalamushtas, Tamraliptas, Ekapadapas, Vardhamanas, and Koshalas — these are all situated at the mouth of the tortoise.

Verse 15 (markandeya.58.15)

रौद्रः पुनर्वसुः पुष्यो नक्षत्रत्रितयं मुखे । पादे तु दक्षिणे देशाः क्रौष्टुके वदतः शृणु ॥ 58.15 ॥

raudraḥ punarvasuḥ puṣyo nakṣatratritayaṁ mukhe pāde tu dakṣiṇe deśāḥ krauṣṭuke vadataḥ śṛṇu

Ardra, Punarvasu, and Pushya — these three nakshatras belong to the mouth. Now hear from me, O Kraushtuki, of the countries at the southern foot, as I declare them.

Verse 16 (markandeya.58.16)

कलिङ्गवङ्गजठराः कोशला मूषिकास्तथा । चेदयश्चोर्ध्वकर्णाश्च मत्स्याद्या विन्ध्यवासिनः ॥ 58.16 ॥

kaliṅgavaṅgajaṭharāḥ kośalā mūṣikāstathā cedayaścordhvakarṇāśca matsyādyā vindhyavāsinaḥ

Kalingas, Vangajatharas, Koshalas, and likewise Mushikas, Chedis, Urdhvakarnas, and the Matsyas and others dwelling on the Vindhya —

Verse 17 (markandeya.58.17)

विदर्भा नारिकेलाश्च धर्मद्वीपास्तथैलिकाः । व्याघ्रग्रीवा महाग्रीवास्त्रैपुराः श्मश्रुधारिणः ॥ 58.17 ॥

vidarbhā nārikelāśca dharmadvīpāstathailikāḥ vyāghragrīvā mahāgrīvāstraipurāḥ śmaśrudhāriṇaḥ

Vidarbhas, Narikelas, Dharmadvipas, and likewise Ailikas, Vyaghragrivas, Mahagrivas, Traipuras, and those who wear beards —

Verse 18 (markandeya.58.18)

कैष्किन्ध्या हैमकूटाश्च निषधाः कटकस्थलाः । दशार्णाहारिका नग्ना निषादाः काकुलालकाः ॥ 58.18 ॥

kaiṣkindhyā haimakūṭāśca niṣadhāḥ kaṭakasthalāḥ daśārṇāhārikā nagnā niṣādāḥ kākulālakāḥ

Kaishkindhyas, Haimakutas, Nishadhas, Katakasthalas, Dasharnas, Aharikas, Nagnas, Nishadas, Kakulalakas,

Verse 19 (markandeya.58.19)

तथैव पर्णशबराः पादे वै पूर्वदक्षिणे । आश्लेषर्क्षं तथा पैत्र्यं फाल्गुण्यः प्रथदमास्तथा ॥ 58.19 ॥

tathaiva parṇaśabarāḥ pāde vai pūrvadakṣiṇe āśleṣarkṣaṁ tathā paitryaṁ phālguṇyaḥ prathadamāstathā

and likewise the Parnashabaras — all these are situated at the south-eastern foot. And Ashlesha, and likewise Magha, and Purva-Phalguni —

Verse 20 (markandeya.58.20)

नक्षत्रत्रितयं पादमाश्रितं पूर्वदक्षिणम् । लङ्का कालाजिनाश्चैव शैलिका निकटास्तथा ॥ 58.20 ॥

nakṣatratritayaṁ pādamāśritaṁ pūrvadakṣiṇam laṅkā kālājināścaiva śailikā nikaṭāstathā

— these three nakshatras belong to the south-eastern foot. Lanka, and likewise Kalajinas, Shailikas, and likewise Nikatas,

Verse 21 (markandeya.58.21)

महेन्द्रमलयाद्रौ च दुर्दुरे च वसन्ति ये । कर्कोटकवने ये च भृगुकच्छाः सकोङ्कणा ॥ 58.21 ॥

mahendramalayādrau ca durdure ca vasanti ye karkoṭakavane ye ca bhṛgukacchāḥ sakoṅkaṇā

those who dwell on Mount Mahendra, Malaya, and Durdura, those who dwell in the Karkotaka forest, and the Bhrigukachchhas together with the Konkanas,

Verse 22 (markandeya.58.22)

सर्वाश्चैव तथाभीरा वेण्यास्तीरनिवासिनः । अवन्तयो दासपुरास्तथैवाकणिनो जनाः ॥ 58.22 ॥

sarvāścaiva tathābhīrā veṇyāstīranivāsinaḥ avantayo dāsapurāstathaivākaṇino janāḥ

and likewise all the Abhiras, dwellers on the bank of the Venya, the Avantyas, the Dasapuras, and likewise the Akanina people,

Verse 23 (markandeya.58.23)

महाराष्ट्राः सकर्णाटा गोनर्दाश्चित्रकूटकाः । चोलाः कोलगिराश्चैव क्रौञ्चद्वीपजटाधराः ॥ 58.23 ॥

mahārāṣṭrāḥ sakarṇāṭā gonardāścitrakūṭakāḥ colāḥ kolagirāścaiva krauñcadvīpajaṭādharāḥ

Maharashtras together with the Karnatas, Gonardas, Chitrakutakas, Cholas, and likewise Kolagiras, and the matted-haired dwellers of Kraunchadvipa,

Verse 24 (markandeya.58.24)

कावेरी ऋष्यमूकस्था नासिक्याश्चैव ये जनाः । शङ्खशुक्त्यादिवैदूर्यशैलप्रान्तचराश्च ये ॥ 58.24 ॥

kāverī ṛṣyamūkasthā nāsikyāścaiva ye janāḥ śaṅkhaśuktyādivaidūryaśailaprāntacarāśca ye

those settled at Rishyamuka on the Kaveri, the Nasikyas, and those who wander the borders of mountains rich in conch-shell, pearl-oyster, and beryl,

Verse 25 (markandeya.58.25)

तथा वारिचराः कोलाः चर्मपट्टनिवासिनः । गणबाह्याः पराः कृष्णा द्वीपवासनिवासिनः ॥ 58.25 ॥

tathā vāricarāḥ kolāḥ carmapaṭṭanivāsinaḥ gaṇabāhyāḥ parāḥ kṛṣṇā dvīpavāsanivāsinaḥ

and likewise the water-dwelling Kolas, the Charmapattas, the Ganabahyas, other dwellers by the Krishna, and those who dwell upon the islands,

Verse 26 (markandeya.58.26)

सूर्याद्रौ कुमुदाद्रौ च ते वसन्ति तथा जनाः । औखावनाः सपिशिकास्तथा ये कर्मनायकाः ॥ 58.26 ॥

sūryādrau kumudādrau ca te vasanti tathā janāḥ aukhāvanāḥ sapiśikāstathā ye karmanāyakāḥ

those people who dwell on Mount Surya and Mount Kumuda, the Aukhavanas together with the Pishikas, and likewise those called Karmanayakas,

Verse 27 (markandeya.58.27)

तक्षिणाः कौरुषा ये च ऋषिकास्तापसाश्रमाः । ऋषभाः सिहलाश्चैव तथा काञ्चीनिवासिनः ॥ 58.27 ॥

takṣiṇāḥ kauruṣā ye ca ṛṣikāstāpasāśramāḥ ṛṣabhāḥ sihalāścaiva tathā kāñcīnivāsinaḥ

Takshinas, Kaurushas, the Rishikas of the ascetics' hermitages, Rishabhas, likewise the Sinhalas, and the dwellers of Kanchi,

Verse 28 (markandeya.58.28)

तिलङ्गा कुञ्जारदरीकच्छवासाश्च ये जनाः । ताम्रपर्णो तथा कुक्षिरिति कूर्मस्य दक्षिणः ॥ 58.28 ॥

tilaṅgā kuñjāradarīkacchavāsāśca ye janāḥ tāmraparṇo tathā kukṣiriti kūrmasya dakṣiṇaḥ

the Tilangas, and the people who dwell in the valleys and marshlands of Kunjara, and the Tamraparni region — this is called the southern flank of the tortoise.

Verse 29 (markandeya.58.29)

फाल्गुन्यश्चोत्तरा हस्ता चित्रा चर्क्षत्रयं द्विज । कूर्मस्य दक्षिणे कुक्षौ बाह्यपादस्तथापरम् ॥ 58.29 ॥

phālgunyaścottarā hastā citrā carkṣatrayaṁ dvija kūrmasya dakṣiṇe kukṣau bāhyapādastathāparam

Uttara-Phalguni, Hasta, and Chitra, O brahmana — these three nakshatras belong to the southern flank of the tortoise. Now hear of the outlying south-western foot.

Verse 30 (markandeya.58.30)

काम्बोजाः पह्लवाश्चैव तथैव वहवामुखाः । तथा च सिन्दुसौवीराः सानर्ता वनितामुखाः ॥ 58.30 ॥

kāmbojāḥ pahlavāścaiva tathaiva vahavāmukhāḥ tathā ca sindusauvīrāḥ sānartā vanitāmukhāḥ

Kambojas, and likewise Pahlavas, and likewise Vahavamukhas, and the Sindhu-Sauviras, Anartas, Vanitamukhas,

Verse 31 (markandeya.58.31)

द्रावणाः मार्गिकाः शूद्रा कर्णप्राधेयवर्वराः । किराताः पारदाः पाण्ड्यास्तथा पारशवाः कलाः ॥ 58.31 ॥

drāvaṇāḥ mārgikāḥ śūdrā karṇaprādheyavarvarāḥ kirātāḥ pāradāḥ pāṇḍyāstathā pāraśavāḥ kalāḥ

Dravanas, Margikas, Shudras, Karnapradheya-Barbaras, Kiratas, Paradas, Pandyas, and likewise the Parashava Kalas,

Verse 32 (markandeya.58.32)

धूर्तका हैमगिरिकाः सिन्धुकालकवैरताः । सौराष्ट्रा दरदाश्चैव द्राविडाश्च महार्णवाः ॥ 58.32 ॥

dhūrtakā haimagirikāḥ sindhukālakavairatāḥ saurāṣṭrā daradāścaiva drāviḍāśca mahārṇavāḥ

Dhurtakas, Haimagirikas, Sindhu, Kalaka, Vairatas, Saurashtras, and likewise Daradas, and the Dravidas of the great ocean's shore,

Verse 33 (markandeya.58.33)

एते जनपदाः पादे स्थिता वै दक्षिणेऽपरे । स्वात्यो विशाखा मैत्रञ्च नक्षत्रत्रयमेव च ॥ 58.33 ॥

ete janapadāḥ pāde sthitā vai dakṣiṇe'pare svātyo viśākhā maitrañca nakṣatratrayameva ca

these peoples are all situated at the south-western foot. Svati, Vishakha, and Anuradha — these are the three nakshatras of that foot.

Verse 34 (markandeya.58.34)

मणिमेघः क्षुराद्रिश्च खञ्जनोऽस्तगिरिस्तथा । अपरान्तिका हैहयाश्च शान्तिका विप्रशस्तकाः ॥ 58.34 ॥

maṇimeghaḥ kṣurādriśca khañjano'stagiristathā aparāntikā haihayāśca śāntikā vipraśastakāḥ

Manimegha, Kshuradri, Khanjana, and likewise Astagiri, Aparantikas, Haihayas, Shantikas, Viprashastakas,

Verse 35 (markandeya.58.35)

कौङ्कणाः पञ्चनदका वामना ह्यवरास्तथा । तारक्षुरा ह्यङ्गतकाः कर्कराः शाल्मवेश्मकाः ॥ 58.35 ॥

kauṅkaṇāḥ pañcanadakā vāmanā hyavarāstathā tārakṣurā hyaṅgatakāḥ karkarāḥ śālmaveśmakāḥ

Konkanas, Panchanadakas, Vamanas, and likewise Avaras, Tarakshuras, Angatakas, Karkaras, Shalmaveshmakas,

Verse 36 (markandeya.58.36)

गुरुस्विराः फल्गुणका वेणुमत्याञ्च ये जनाः । तथा फल्गुलुका घोरा गुरुहाश्च कलास्तथा ॥ 58.36 ॥

gurusvirāḥ phalguṇakā veṇumatyāñca ye janāḥ tathā phalgulukā ghorā guruhāśca kalāstathā

Gurusviras, Phalgunakas, and the people of Venumati, and likewise the fierce Phalgulukas, and the Guruhas, and likewise the Kalas,

Verse 37 (markandeya.58.37)

एकेक्षणा वाजिकेशा दीर्घग्रीवाः सचूलिकाः । अश्वकेशास्तथा पुच्छे जनाः कूर्मस्य संस्थिताः ॥ 58.37 ॥

ekekṣaṇā vājikeśā dīrghagrīvāḥ sacūlikāḥ aśvakeśāstathā pucche janāḥ kūrmasya saṁsthitāḥ

the one-eyed, the horse-maned, the long-necked together with the top-knotted, and likewise the horse-haired peoples — all these are situated at the tail of the tortoise.

Verse 38 (markandeya.58.38)

ऐन्द्रं मूलन्तथाषाग नक्षत्रत्रयमेव च । माण्डव्याश्चण्डखाराश्च अश्वकालनतास्तथा ॥ 58.38 ॥

aindraṁ mūlantathāṣāga nakṣatratrayameva ca māṇḍavyāścaṇḍakhārāśca aśvakālanatāstathā

Jyeshtha, Mula, and likewise Purva-Ashadha — these are the three nakshatras of the tail. Mandavyas, Chandakharas, and likewise Ashvakalanatas,

Verse 39 (markandeya.58.39)

कुन्यतालडहाश्चैव स्त्रीबाह्या बालिक्रास्तथा । नृसिंहा वेणुमत्याञ्च बलावस्थास्तथापरे ॥ 58.39 ॥

kunyatālaḍahāścaiva strībāhyā bālikrāstathā nṛsiṁhā veṇumatyāñca balāvasthāstathāpare

Kunyatalahas, Stribahyas, and likewise Balikras, Nrisimhas, and the people of Venumati, and likewise other Balavasthas,

Verse 40 (markandeya.58.40)

धर्मबद्धास्तथालूका उरुकर्मस्थिता जनाः । वामपादे जनाः पार्श्वे स्थिताः कूर्मस्य भागुरे ॥ 58.40 ॥

dharmabaddhāstathālūkā urukarmasthitā janāḥ vāmapāde janāḥ pārśve sthitāḥ kūrmasya bhāgure

Dharmabaddhas, and likewise Alukas, and the peoples settled in vast occupations — these are all situated at the side of the left foot of the tortoise.

Verse 41 (markandeya.58.41)

आषाढाश्रवणे चैव धनिष्ठा यत्र संस्थिता । कैलासो हिमवांश्चैव धनुष्मान् वसुमांस्तथा ॥ 58.41 ॥

āṣāḍhāśravaṇe caiva dhaniṣṭhā yatra saṁsthitā kailāso himavāṁścaiva dhanuṣmān vasumāṁstathā

Where Uttara-Ashadha, Shravana, and Dhanishtha are situated — there are Kailasa, and likewise Himavat, Dhanushman, and likewise Vasuman,

Verse 42 (markandeya.58.42)

क्रौञ्चाः कुरुवकाश्चैव क्षुद्रवीणाश्च ये जनाः । रसालया सकैकेया भोगप्रस्थाः सयामुनाः ॥ 58.42 ॥

krauñcāḥ kuruvakāścaiva kṣudravīṇāśca ye janāḥ rasālayā sakaikeyā bhogaprasthāḥ sayāmunāḥ

Krounchas, and likewise Kuruvakas, and the Kshudravina people, Rasalayas together with the Kaikeyas, Bhogaprasthas together with those of the Yamuna,

Verse 43 (markandeya.58.43)

अन्तर्द्वोपास्त्रिगर्ताश्च अग्नीज्याः सार्दना जनाः । तथैवाश्वमुखाः प्राप्ताश्चिविडाः केशधारिणः ॥ 58.43 ॥

antardvopāstrigartāśca agnījyāḥ sārdanā janāḥ tathaivāśvamukhāḥ prāptāściviḍāḥ keśadhāriṇaḥ

Antardvipas, Trigartas, Agnijyas, the Sardana people, and likewise those who reached the horse-faced region, the Chividas, and the long-haired,

Verse 44 (markandeya.58.44)

दासेरका वाटधानाः शवधानास्तथैव च । पुष्कलाधमकैरातास्तथा तक्षशिलाश्रयाः ॥ 58.44 ॥

dāserakā vāṭadhānāḥ śavadhānāstathaiva ca puṣkalādhamakairātāstathā takṣaśilāśrayāḥ

Daserakas, Vatadhanas, and likewise the Shavadhanas, Pushkalas, Adhamakiratas, and likewise those sheltered at Takshashila,

Verse 45 (markandeya.58.45)

अम्बाला मालवा मद्रा वेणुकाः सवदन्तिकाः । पिङ्गला मानकलहा हूणाः कोहलकास्तथा ॥ 58.45 ॥

ambālā mālavā madrā veṇukāḥ savadantikāḥ piṅgalā mānakalahā hūṇāḥ kohalakāstathā

Ambalas, Malavas, Madras, Venukas together with the Vadantikas, Pingalas, Manakalahas, Hunas, and likewise Kohalakas,

Verse 46 (markandeya.58.46)

माण्डव्या भूतियुवकाः शातका हेमतारकाः । यशोमत्याः सगान्धाराः खरसागरराशयः ॥ 58.46 ॥

māṇḍavyā bhūtiyuvakāḥ śātakā hematārakāḥ yaśomatyāḥ sagāndhārāḥ kharasāgararāśayaḥ

Mandavyas, Bhutiyuvakas, Shatakas, Hematarakas, Yashomatyas together with the Gandharas, and the peoples of the Khara ocean's shore,

Verse 47 (markandeya.58.47)

यौधेया दासमेयाश्च राजन्याः श्यामकास्तथा । क्षेमधूर्ताश्च कूर्मस्य वामकुक्षिमुपाश्रिताः ॥ 58.47 ॥

yaudheyā dāsameyāśca rājanyāḥ śyāmakāstathā kṣemadhūrtāśca kūrmasya vāmakukṣimupāśritāḥ

Yaudheyas, Dasameyas, Rajanyas, and likewise Shyamakas, and Kshemadhurtas — these dwell at the left flank of the tortoise.

Verse 48 (markandeya.58.48)

वारुणञ्चात्र नक्षत्रं तत्र प्रौष्ठपदाद्वयम् । येन किन्नरराज्यञ्च पुशुपालं सकीचकम् ॥ 58.48 ॥

vāruṇañcātra nakṣatraṁ tatra prauṣṭhapadādvayam yena kinnararājyañca puśupālaṁ sakīcakam

Here is the nakshatra Varuna (Shatabhisha), and there the two Proshthapadas; within this are the kingdom of the Kinnaras, and Pashupala together with Kichaka,

Verse 49 (markandeya.58.49)

काश्मीरकं तथा राष्ट्रमभिसारजनस्तथा । दवदास्त्वङ्गनाश्चैव कुलटा वनराष्ट्रकाः ॥ 58.49 ॥

kāśmīrakaṁ tathā rāṣṭramabhisārajanastathā davadāstvaṅganāścaiva kulaṭā vanarāṣṭrakāḥ

and the kingdom of Kashmira, and the Abhisara people, the Davadas, and likewise the Anganas, the Kulatas, and the Vanarashtrakas,

Verse 50 (markandeya.58.50)

सैरिष्ठा ब्रह्मपुरकास्तथैव वनवाह्यकाः । किरातकौशिका नन्दा जनाः पह्णवलोलनाः ॥ 58.50 ॥

sairiṣṭhā brahmapurakāstathaiva vanavāhyakāḥ kirātakauśikā nandā janāḥ pahṇavalolanāḥ

Sairishthas, Brahmapurakas, and likewise Vanavahyakas, Kiratakaushikas, Nandas, and the Pahnava-lolana people —

Verse 51 (markandeya.58.51)

दार्वादा मरकाश्चैव कुरटाश्चान्नदारकाः । एकपादा खशा घोषाः स्वर्गभौमानवद्यकाः ॥ 58.51 ॥

dārvādā marakāścaiva kuraṭāścānnadārakāḥ ekapādā khaśā ghoṣāḥ svargabhaumānavadyakāḥ

Darvadas, and likewise Marakas, Kuratas, Annadarakas, the one-footed, Khashas, Ghoshas, and the blameless Svargabhaumas —

Verse 52 (markandeya.58.52)

तथा सयवना हिङ्गाश्चीरप्रावरणाश्च ये । त्रिनेत्राः पौरवाश्चैव गन्धर्वाश्च द्विजात्तम ॥ 58.52 ॥

tathā sayavanā hiṅgāścīraprāvaraṇāśca ye trinetrāḥ pauravāścaiva gandharvāśca dvijāttama

and likewise the Yavanas, Hingas, and those clad in bark garments, the Trinetras, and likewise Pauravas, and the Gandharvas, O best of brahmanas —

Verse 53 (markandeya.58.53)

पूर्वोत्तरन्तु कूर्मस्य पदामेते समाश्रिताः । रेवत्यश्चाश्विदैवत्यं याम्यञ्चर्क्षमिति त्रयम् ॥ 58.53 ॥

pūrvottarantu kūrmasya padāmete samāśritāḥ revatyaścāśvidaivatyaṁ yāmyañcarkṣamiti trayam

— these all dwell at the north-eastern foot of the tortoise. Revati, Ashvini, and Bharani — these three nakshatras belong to that foot.

Verse 54 (markandeya.58.54)

तत्र पादे समाख्यातं पाकाय मुनिसत्तम । देशेष्वेतेषु चैतानि नक्षत्राण्यपि वै द्विज ॥ 58.54 ॥

tatra pāde samākhyātaṁ pākāya munisattama deśeṣveteṣu caitāni nakṣatrāṇyapi vai dvija

Thus, O best of sages, at each foot I have declared, for the sake of their fruition, these nakshatras that belong to these regions, O brahmana.

Verse 55 (markandeya.58.55)

एतत्पीडा अमी देशाः पीड्यन्ते ये क्रमोदिताः । यान्ति चाभ्युदयं विप्र ! ग्रहैः सम्यगवस्थितैः ॥ 58.55 ॥

etatpīḍā amī deśāḥ pīḍyante ye kramoditāḥ yānti cābhyudayaṁ vipra ! grahaiḥ samyagavasthitaiḥ

By the affliction of these very nakshatras, these countries named in order become afflicted; and, O brahmana, when the planets are well situated within them, the countries attain prosperity.

Verse 56 (markandeya.58.56)

यस्यर्क्षस्य पतिर्यो वै ग्रहस्तद्भावितो भयम् । तद्देशस्य मुनिश्रेष्ठ ! तदुत्कर्षे शुभागमः ॥ 58.56 ॥

yasyarkṣasya patiryo vai grahastadbhāvito bhayam taddeśasya muniśreṣṭha ! tadutkarṣe śubhāgamaḥ

Whichever planet is lord of a given nakshatra, its affliction brings fear upon that country, O best of sages, and its prosperity brings good fortune to that country.

Verse 57 (markandeya.58.57)

प्रत्येकं देशसामान्यं नक्षत्रग्रहसम्भवम् । भयं लोकस्य भवति शोभनं वा द्विजोत्तम ॥ 58.57 ॥

pratyekaṁ deśasāmānyaṁ nakṣatragrahasambhavam bhayaṁ lokasya bhavati śobhanaṁ vā dvijottama

For every region alike, O best of brahmanas, arising from the condition of its nakshatra and planet, there comes upon the people either fear or auspiciousness.

Verse 58 (markandeya.58.58)

स्वर्क्षैरशोभनैर्जन्तोः सामान्यमिति भीतिदम् । ग्रहैर्भवति पीडोत्थमल्पायासमशोभनम् ॥ 58.58 ॥

svarkṣairaśobhanairjantoḥ sāmānyamiti bhītidam grahairbhavati pīḍotthamalpāyāsamaśobhanam

When one's own nakshatra is inauspicious, fear generally arises for the people; and when the planets are inauspicious, the affliction that follows brings little exertion yet is ill-omened.

Verse 59 (markandeya.58.59)

तथैव शोभनः पाको दुः स्थितैश्च तथा ग्रहैः । अल्पोपकाराय नृणां देशज्ञैश्चात्मनो बुधैः ॥ 58.59 ॥

tathaiva śobhanaḥ pāko duḥ sthitaiśca tathā grahaiḥ alpopakārāya nṛṇāṁ deśajñaiścātmano budhaiḥ

Likewise, an auspicious outcome may occur even through ill-placed planets, but according to the wise who understand the region and themselves, it brings only slight benefit to men.

Verse 60 (markandeya.58.60)

द्रव्ये गोष्ठेऽथ भृत्येषु सुहृत्सु तनयेषु वा । भार्यायाञ्च ग्रहे दुस्थे भयं पुण्यवतां नृणाम् ॥ 58.60 ॥

dravye goṣṭhe'tha bhṛtyeṣu suhṛtsu tanayeṣu vā bhāryāyāñca grahe dusthe bhayaṁ puṇyavatāṁ nṛṇām

When a planet is ill-placed, meritorious men come to fear for their wealth, their cattle-pen, their servants, their friends, their sons, or their wife.

Verse 61 (markandeya.58.61)

आत्मन्यथाल्पपुण्यानां सर्वत्रैवातिपापिनाम् । नैकत्रापि ह्यपापानां भयमस्ति कदाचन ॥ 58.61 ॥

ātmanyathālpapuṇyānāṁ sarvatraivātipāpinām naikatrāpi hyapāpānāṁ bhayamasti kadācana

Those of little merit feel fear regarding themselves; the greatly sinful feel fear everywhere; but for those free of sin, there is never fear in any respect at all.

Verse 62 (markandeya.58.62)

दिग्देशजनसामान्यं नृपसामान्यमात्मजम् । नक्षत्रग्रहसामान्यं नरो भुङ्क्ते शुभाशुभम् ॥ 58.62 ॥

digdeśajanasāmānyaṁ nṛpasāmānyamātmajam nakṣatragrahasāmānyaṁ naro bhuṅkte śubhāśubham

A man experiences good and evil in common with his direction, his region, the people at large, the king, his own children, and the general condition of the nakshatra and the planet.

Verse 63 (markandeya.58.63)

परस्पराभिरक्षा च ग्रहादौस्थ्येन जायते । एतेभ्य एव विप्रेन्द्र ! शुभहानिस्तथाशुभैः ॥ 58.63 ॥

parasparābhirakṣā ca grahādausthyena jāyate etebhya eva viprendra ! śubhahānistathāśubhaiḥ

Mutual protection also arises from the ill-placement of planets; and from these same causes, O chief of brahmanas, comes both the loss of good fortune and the coming of misfortune.

Verse 64 (markandeya.58.64)

यदेतत् कूर्मसंस्थानं नक्षत्रेषु मयोदितम् । एतत् तु देशसामान्यमशुभं शुभमेव च ॥ 58.64 ॥

yadetat kūrmasaṁsthānaṁ nakṣatreṣu mayoditam etat tu deśasāmānyamaśubhaṁ śubhameva ca

This arrangement of the tortoise among the nakshatras, which I have declared, indicates for the regions in general both the inauspicious and the auspicious.

Verse 65 (markandeya.58.65)

तस्माद्विज्ञाय देशर्क्षं ग्रहपीडान्तथात्मनः । कुर्वोत शान्तिं मेधावी लोकवादांश्च सत्तम ॥ 58.65 ॥

tasmādvijñāya deśarkṣaṁ grahapīḍāntathātmanaḥ kurvota śāntiṁ medhāvī lokavādāṁśca sattama

Therefore, O best one, having understood the nakshatra of one's own region and the affliction of the planets upon oneself, the wise man should perform propitiatory rites, and should also heed the sayings of the people.

Verse 66 (markandeya.58.66)

आकाशाद्देवतानाञ्च दैत्यादीनाञ्च दौर्हृदाः । पृथ्व्यां पतन्ति ते लोके लोकवादा इति श्रुताः ॥ 58.66 ॥

ākāśāddevatānāñca daityādīnāñca daurhṛdāḥ pṛthvyāṁ patanti te loke lokavādā iti śrutāḥ

The ill portents of the gods and of the daityas and others fall from the sky onto the earth; these are known among people as "popular sayings."

Verse 67 (markandeya.58.67)

तां तथैव बुधः कुर्यात् लोकवादान्न हापयेत् । तेषान्तत्करणान्नॄणां युक्तो दुष्टागमक्षयः ॥ 58.67 ॥

tāṁ tathaiva budhaḥ kuryāt lokavādānna hāpayet teṣāntatkaraṇānnṝṇāṁ yukto duṣṭāgamakṣayaḥ

The wise man should act accordingly and should not disregard these popular sayings; by acting upon them, the destruction of the evil influences that come upon men is rightly brought about.

Verse 68 (markandeya.58.68)

शुभोदयं प्रहानिञ्च पापानां द्विजसत्तम । प्रज्ञाहानिं प्रकुर्युस्ते द्रव्यादीनाञ्च कुर्वते ॥ 58.68 ॥

śubhodayaṁ prahāniñca pāpānāṁ dvijasattama prajñāhāniṁ prakuryuste dravyādīnāñca kurvate

O best of brahmanas, by neglecting these, the rise of good fortune diminishes and sin increases; they bring about a loss of wisdom, and also a loss of wealth and the like.

Verse 69 (markandeya.58.69)

तस्माच्छान्तिपरः प्राज्ञो लोकवादरतस्तथा । लोकवादांश्च शान्तीश्च ग्रहपीडासु कारयेत् ॥ 58.69 ॥

tasmācchāntiparaḥ prājño lokavādaratastathā lokavādāṁśca śāntīśca grahapīḍāsu kārayet

Therefore the wise man should be devoted to propitiatory rites and attentive to popular sayings alike; during afflictions caused by the planets he should carry out both the observance of these sayings and the propitiatory rites.

Verse 70 (markandeya.58.70)

अद्रोहानुपवासांश्च शस्तं चैत्यादिवन्दनम् । जपं होमं तथा दानं स्त्रानं क्रोधादिवर्जनम् ॥ 58.70 ॥

adrohānupavāsāṁśca śastaṁ caityādivandanam japaṁ homaṁ tathā dānaṁ strānaṁ krodhādivarjanam

Freedom from malice, fasting, the honored worship of chaityas and the like, japa, homa, and likewise charity, bathing, and the avoidance of anger and the like —

Verse 71 (markandeya.58.71)

अद्रोहः सर्वभूतेषु मैत्रीं कुर्याच्च पण्डितः । वर्जयेदसतीं वाचमतिवादांस्तथैव च ॥ 58.71 ॥

adrohaḥ sarvabhūteṣu maitrīṁ kuryācca paṇḍitaḥ varjayedasatīṁ vācamativādāṁstathaiva ca

non-malice toward all beings — the wise man should cultivate friendship with all, and should avoid false speech and likewise harsh, excessive words.

Verse 72 (markandeya.58.72)

ग्रहपूजाञ्च कुर्वोत सर्वपीडासु मानवः । एवं शाम्यन्त्यशेषाणि घोराणि द्विजसत्तम ॥ 58.72 ॥

grahapūjāñca kurvota sarvapīḍāsu mānavaḥ evaṁ śāmyantyaśeṣāṇi ghorāṇi dvijasattama

And in every affliction, man should perform worship of the planets. Thus, O best of brahmanas, all terrible portents are entirely pacified.

Verse 73 (markandeya.58.73)

प्रयतानां मनुष्याणां ग्रहर्क्षोत्थान्यशेषतः । एष कूर्मो मया ख्यातो भारते भगवान् विभुः ॥ 58.73 ॥

prayatānāṁ manuṣyāṇāṁ graharkṣotthānyaśeṣataḥ eṣa kūrmo mayā khyāto bhārate bhagavān vibhuḥ

— for self-controlled and pure men, all the disturbances arising from the planets and nakshatras are thus pacified. Thus I have declared to you this Lord, the mighty tortoise, situated in Bharata.

Verse 74 (markandeya.58.74)

नारायणो ह्यचिन्त्यात्मा यत्र सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम् । तत्र देवाः स्थिताः सर्वे प्रतिनक्षत्रसंश्रयाः ॥ 58.74 ॥

nārāyaṇo hyacintyātmā yatra sarvaṁ pratiṣṭhitam tatra devāḥ sthitāḥ sarve pratinakṣatrasaṁśrayāḥ

Narayana, indeed, whose self is inconceivable, in whom all this rests — in him all the gods are situated, each taking refuge in his own nakshatra.

Verse 75 (markandeya.58.75)

तथा मध्ये हुतवहः पृथ्वी सोमश्च वै द्विज । मेषादयस्त्रयो मध्ये मुखे द्वौ मिथुनादिकौ ॥ 58.75 ॥

tathā madhye hutavahaḥ pṛthvī somaśca vai dvija meṣādayastrayo madhye mukhe dvau mithunādikau

And likewise, O brahmana, in the middle are Fire, Earth, and the Moon. In the middle are the three signs beginning with Mesha (Aries); at the mouth are the two beginning with Mithuna (Gemini).

Verse 76 (markandeya.58.76)

प्राग्दक्षिणे तथा पादे कर्कसिंहौ व्यवस्थितौ । सिंहकन्यातुलाश्चैव कुक्षौ राशैत्रयं स्थितम् ॥ 58.76 ॥

prāgdakṣiṇe tathā pāde karkasiṁhau vyavasthitau siṁhakanyātulāścaiva kukṣau rāśaitrayaṁ sthitam

At the south-eastern foot are situated Karka (Cancer) and Simha (Leo); and Simha, Kanya (Virgo), and Tula (Libra) — these three signs are situated at the southern flank.

Verse 77 (markandeya.58.77)

तुलाथ वृश्चिकाश्चोभौ पादे दक्षिणपश्चिमे । पृष्ठे च वृश्चिकेनैव सह धन्वी व्यवस्थितः ॥ 58.77 ॥

tulātha vṛścikāścobhau pāde dakṣiṇapaścime pṛṣṭhe ca vṛścikenaiva saha dhanvī vyavasthitaḥ

Tula and Vrishchika (Scorpio), both, are at the south-western foot; and at the back, together with Vrishchika, Dhanvi (Sagittarius) is situated.

Verse 78 (markandeya.58.78)

वायव्ये चास्य वै पादे धनुर्ग्राहादिकं त्रयम् । कुम्भमीनौ तथैवास्य उत्तरां कुक्षिमाश्रितौ ॥ 58.78 ॥

vāyavye cāsya vai pāde dhanurgrāhādikaṁ trayam kumbhamīnau tathaivāsya uttarāṁ kukṣimāśritau

And at its north-western foot are the three signs beginning with Dhanu and Makara (Capricorn); and likewise Kumbha (Aquarius) and Mina (Pisces) are situated at its northern flank.

Verse 79 (markandeya.58.79)

मीनमेषौ द्विजश्रेष्ठ ! पादे पूर्वोत्तरे स्थितौ । कूर्मे देशास्तथर्क्षाणि देशेष्वेतेषु वै द्विज ॥ 58.79 ॥

mīnameṣau dvijaśreṣṭha ! pāde pūrvottare sthitau kūrme deśāstatharkṣāṇi deśeṣveteṣu vai dvija

Mina and Mesha, O best of brahmanas, are situated at the north-eastern foot. Thus, O brahmana, are the countries on the tortoise, together with their nakshatras, situated in these respective regions.

Verse 80 (markandeya.58.80)

राशयश्च तथर्क्षेषु ग्रहराशिष्ववस्थिताः । तस्माद् ग्रहर्क्षपीडासु देशपीडां विनिर्दिशेत् ॥ 58.80 ॥

rāśayaśca tatharkṣeṣu graharāśiṣvavasthitāḥ tasmād graharkṣapīḍāsu deśapīḍāṁ vinirdiśet

And the zodiac signs are likewise situated among the nakshatras, according to the planets' positions within the signs. Therefore, from the affliction of the planets and nakshatras, the affliction of the corresponding region should be determined.

Verse 81 (markandeya.58.81)

तत्र स्त्रात्वा प्रकुर्वोत दानहोमादिकं विधिम् । स एष वैष्णवः पादो ब्रह्मा मध्ये ग्रहस्य यः । नारायणाख्योऽचिन्त्यात्मा कारणं जगतः प्रभुः ॥ 58.81 ॥

tatra strātvā prakurvota dānahomādikaṁ vidhim sa eṣa vaiṣṇavaḥ pādo brahmā madhye grahasya yaḥ nārāyaṇākhyo'cintyātmā kāraṇaṁ jagataḥ prabhuḥ

Having bathed there, one should perform the rites of charity, oblation, and the like. This is that Vaishnava foot, in the midst of the planetary order, in which Brahma is; he who is called Narayana, of inconceivable self, the cause and lord of the universe.