Before Verses
Devanagari
Verse Text
Synonyms
Translation
Purport
CHAPTER TEN
Lord Śiva and Umā Glorify Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi
In this chapter Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī describes how Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi received benedictions from Lord Śiva.
Once, as Lord Śiva was traveling in the sky with his wife, Pārvatī, he came across Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya merged in meditative trance. At the request of Pārvatī, Lord Śiva presented himself before the sage to grant him the result of his austerities. Coming out of his trance, Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya saw Lord Śiva, the spiritual master of the three worlds, together with Pārvatī, and he worshiped them by offering them obeisances, words of greeting and a sitting place.
Then Lord Śiva praised the saintly devotees of the Personality of Godhead and requested Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya to choose whatever benediction he desired. Mārkaṇḍeya begged for unflinching devotion to the Supreme Lord Śrī Hari, to the devotees of the Supreme Lord and to Lord Śiva himself. Satisfied with Mārkaṇḍeya’s devotion, Lord Śiva awarded him the boons of renown, freedom from old age and death until the time of universal dissolution, knowledge of all three phases of time, renunciation, realized knowledge and the position of a teacher of the Purāṇas.
Those who chant and hear the story of Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi will attain liberation from material life, which is based on the accumulated desires generated from fruitive work.
Devanagari
सूत उवाच
स एवमनुभूयेदं नारायणविनिर्मितम् ।
वैभवं योगमायायास्तमेव शरणं ययौ ॥ १ ॥
स एवमनुभूयेदं नारायणविनिर्मितम् ।
वैभवं योगमायायास्तमेव शरणं ययौ ॥ १ ॥
Verse text
sūta uvāca
sa evam anubhūyedaṁ
nārāyaṇa-vinirmitam
vaibhavaṁ yoga-māyāyās
tam eva śaraṇaṁ yayau
sa evam anubhūyedaṁ
nārāyaṇa-vinirmitam
vaibhavaṁ yoga-māyāyās
tam eva śaraṇaṁ yayau
Synonyms
sūtaḥ uvāca — Sūta Gosvāmī said; saḥ — he, Mārkaṇḍeya; evam — in this way; anubhūya — experiencing; idam — this; nārāyaṇa-vinirmitam — manufactured by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa; vaibhavam — the opulent exhibition; yoga-māyāyāḥ — of His internal mystic energy; tam — to Him; eva — indeed; śaraṇam — for shelter; yayau — he went.
Translation
Sūta Gosvāmī said: The Supreme Lord Nārāyaṇa had arranged this opulent display of His bewildering potency. Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, having experienced it, took shelter of the Lord.
Devanagari
श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच
प्रपन्नोऽस्म्यङ्घ्रिमूलं ते प्रपन्नाभयदं हरे ।
यन्माययापि विबुधा मुह्यन्ति ज्ञानकाशया ॥ २ ॥
प्रपन्नोऽस्म्यङ्घ्रिमूलं ते प्रपन्नाभयदं हरे ।
यन्माययापि विबुधा मुह्यन्ति ज्ञानकाशया ॥ २ ॥
Verse text
śrī-mārkaṇḍeya uvāca
prapanno ’smy aṅghri-mūlaṁ te
prapannābhaya-daṁ hare
yan-māyayāpi vibudhā
muhyanti jñāna-kāśayā
prapanno ’smy aṅghri-mūlaṁ te
prapannābhaya-daṁ hare
yan-māyayāpi vibudhā
muhyanti jñāna-kāśayā
Synonyms
śrī-mārkaṇḍeyaḥ uvāca — Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said; prapannaḥ — surrendered; asmi — I am; aṅghri-mūlam — to the soles of the lotus feet; te — Your; prapanna — of those who surrender; abhaya-dam — the giver of fearlessness; hare — O Lord Hari; yat-māyayā — by whose illusory potency; api — even; vibudhāḥ — intelligent demigods; muhyanti — become bewildered; jñāna-kāśayā — which falsely appears as knowledge.
Translation
Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said: O Lord Hari, I take shelter of the soles of Your lotus feet, which bestow fearlessness upon all who surrender to them. Even the great demigods are bewildered by Your illusory energy, which appears to them in the guise of knowledge.
Purport
Conditioned souls are attracted to material sense gratification, and thus they meticulously study the workings of nature. Although they appear to be advancing in scientific knowledge, they become increasingly entangled in their false identification with the material body and therefore increasingly merge into ignorance.
Devanagari
सूत उवाच
तमेवं निभृतात्मानं वृषेण दिवि पर्यटन् ।
रुद्राण्या भगवान् रुद्रो ददर्श स्वगणैर्वृत: ॥ ३ ॥
तमेवं निभृतात्मानं वृषेण दिवि पर्यटन् ।
रुद्राण्या भगवान् रुद्रो ददर्श स्वगणैर्वृत: ॥ ३ ॥
Verse text
sūta uvāca
tam evaṁ nibhṛtātmānaṁ
vṛṣeṇa divi paryaṭan
rudrāṇyā bhagavān rudro
dadarśa sva-gaṇair vṛtaḥ
tam evaṁ nibhṛtātmānaṁ
vṛṣeṇa divi paryaṭan
rudrāṇyā bhagavān rudro
dadarśa sva-gaṇair vṛtaḥ
Synonyms
sūtaḥ uvāca — Sūta Gosvāmī said; tam — him, Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi; evam — thus; nibhṛta-ātmānam — his mind completely absorbed in trance; vṛṣeṇa — on his bull; divi — in the sky; paryaṭan — traveling; rudrāṇyā — accompanied by his consort, Rudrāṇī (Umā); bhagavān — the powerful lord; rudraḥ — Śiva; dadarśa — saw; sva-gaṇaiḥ — by his entourage; vṛtaḥ — surrounded.
Translation
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Lord Rudra, traveling in the sky on his bull and accompanied by his consort, Rudrāṇī, as well as his personal associates, observed Mārkaṇḍeya in trance.
Devanagari
अथोमा तमृषिं वीक्ष्य गिरिशं समभाषत ।
पश्येमं भगवन् विप्रं निभृतात्मेन्द्रियाशयम् ॥ ४ ॥
पश्येमं भगवन् विप्रं निभृतात्मेन्द्रियाशयम् ॥ ४ ॥
Verse text
athomā tam ṛṣiṁ vīkṣya
giriśaṁ samabhāṣata
paśyemaṁ bhagavan vipraṁ
nibhṛtātmendriyāśayam
giriśaṁ samabhāṣata
paśyemaṁ bhagavan vipraṁ
nibhṛtātmendriyāśayam
Synonyms
Translation
Goddess Umā, seeing the sage, addressed Lord Giriśa: My lord, just see this learned brāhmaṇa, his body, mind and senses motionless in trance.
Devanagari
निभृतोदझषव्रातो वातापाये यथार्णव: ।
कुर्वस्य तपस: साक्षात् संसिद्धिं सिद्धिदो भवान् ॥ ५ ॥
कुर्वस्य तपस: साक्षात् संसिद्धिं सिद्धिदो भवान् ॥ ५ ॥
Verse text
nibhṛtoda-jhaṣa-vrāto
vātāpāye yathārṇavaḥ
kurv asya tapasaḥ sākṣāt
saṁsiddhiṁ siddhi-do bhavān
vātāpāye yathārṇavaḥ
kurv asya tapasaḥ sākṣāt
saṁsiddhiṁ siddhi-do bhavān
Synonyms
nibhṛta — stationary; uda — water; jhaṣa-vrātaḥ — and schools of fish; vāta — of the wind; apāye — upon the ceasing; yathā — just as; arṇavaḥ — the ocean; kuru — please make; asya — his; tapasaḥ — of the austerities; sākṣāt — manifest; saṁsiddhim — perfection; siddhi-daḥ — the bestower of perfection; bhavān — you.
Translation
He is as calm as the waters of the ocean when the wind has ceased and the fish remain still. Therefore, my lord, since you bestow perfection on the performers of austerity, please award this sage the perfection that is obviously due him.
Devanagari
श्रीभगवानुवाच
नैवेच्छत्याशिष: क्वापि ब्रह्मर्षिर्मोक्षमप्युत ।
भक्तिं परां भगवति लब्धवान् पुरुषेऽव्यये ॥ ६ ॥
नैवेच्छत्याशिष: क्वापि ब्रह्मर्षिर्मोक्षमप्युत ।
भक्तिं परां भगवति लब्धवान् पुरुषेऽव्यये ॥ ६ ॥
Verse text
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
naivecchaty āśiṣaḥ kvāpi
brahmarṣir mokṣam apy uta
bhaktiṁ parāṁ bhagavati
labdhavān puruṣe ’vyaye
naivecchaty āśiṣaḥ kvāpi
brahmarṣir mokṣam apy uta
bhaktiṁ parāṁ bhagavati
labdhavān puruṣe ’vyaye
Synonyms
śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the powerful lord said; na — not; eva — indeed; icchati — desires; āśiṣaḥ — benedictions; kva api — in any realm; brahma-ṛṣiḥ — the saintly brāhmaṇa; mokṣam — liberation; api uta — even; bhaktim — devotional service; parām — transcendental; bhagavati — for the Supreme Lord; labdhavān — he has achieved; puruṣe — for the Personality of Godhead; avyaye — who is inexhaustible.
Translation
Lord Śiva replied: Surely this saintly brāhmaṇa does not desire any benediction, not even liberation itself, for he has attained pure devotional service unto the inexhaustible Personality of Godhead.
Purport
The words naivecchaty āśiṣaḥ kvāpi indicate that Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi was uninterested in any reward available on any planet within the universe. Nor did he want liberation, for he had achieved the Supreme Lord Himself.
Devanagari
अथापि संवदिष्यामो भवान्येतेन साधुना ।
अयं हि परमो लाभो नृणां साधुसमागम: ॥ ७ ॥
अयं हि परमो लाभो नृणां साधुसमागम: ॥ ७ ॥
Verse text
athāpi saṁvadiṣyāmo
bhavāny etena sādhunā
ayaṁ hi paramo lābho
nṛṇāṁ sādhu-samāgamaḥ
bhavāny etena sādhunā
ayaṁ hi paramo lābho
nṛṇāṁ sādhu-samāgamaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Still, my dear Bhavānī, let us talk with this saintly personality. After all, association with saintly devotees is man’s highest achievement.
Devanagari
सूत उवाच
इत्युक्त्वा तमुपेयाय भगवान् स सतां गति: ।
ईशान: सर्वविद्यानामीश्वर: सर्वदेहिनाम् ॥ ८ ॥
इत्युक्त्वा तमुपेयाय भगवान् स सतां गति: ।
ईशान: सर्वविद्यानामीश्वर: सर्वदेहिनाम् ॥ ८ ॥
Verse text
sūta uvāca
ity uktvā tam upeyāya
bhagavān sa satāṁ gatiḥ
īśānaḥ sarva-vidyānām
īśvaraḥ sarva-dehinām
ity uktvā tam upeyāya
bhagavān sa satāṁ gatiḥ
īśānaḥ sarva-vidyānām
īśvaraḥ sarva-dehinām
Synonyms
sūtaḥ uvāca — Sūta Gosvāmī said; iti — thus; uktvā — having said; tam — to the sage; upeyāya — going; bhagavān — the exalted demigod; saḥ — he; satām — of the pure souls; gatiḥ — the shelter; īśānaḥ — the master; sarva-vidyānām — of all branches of knowledge; īśvaraḥ — the controller; sarva-dehinām — of all embodied living beings.
Translation
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Having spoken thus, Lord Śaṅkara — the shelter of pure souls, master of all spiritual sciences and controller of all embodied living beings — approached the sage.
Devanagari
तयोरागमनं साक्षादीशयोर्जगदात्मनो: ।
न वेद रुद्धधीवृत्तिरात्मानं विश्वमेव च ॥ ९ ॥
न वेद रुद्धधीवृत्तिरात्मानं विश्वमेव च ॥ ९ ॥
Verse text
tayor āgamanaṁ sākṣād
īśayor jagad-ātmanoḥ
na veda ruddha-dhī-vṛttir
ātmānaṁ viśvam eva ca
īśayor jagad-ātmanoḥ
na veda ruddha-dhī-vṛttir
ātmānaṁ viśvam eva ca
Synonyms
tayoḥ — of the two of them; āgamanam — the arrival; sākṣāt — in person; īśayoḥ — of the powerful personalities; jagat-ātmanoḥ — the controllers of the universe; na veda — he did not notice; ruddha — checked; dhī-vṛttiḥ — the functioning of his mind; ātmānam — himself; viśvam — the external universe; eva — indeed; ca — also.
Translation
Because Mārkaṇḍeya’s material mind had stopped functioning, the sage failed to notice that Lord Śiva and his wife, the controllers of the universe, had personally come to see him. Mārkaṇḍeya was so absorbed in meditation that he was unaware of either himself or the external world.
Devanagari
भगवांस्तदभिज्ञाय गिरिशो योगमायया ।
आविशत्तद्गुहाकाशं वायुश्छिद्रमिवेश्वर: ॥ १० ॥
आविशत्तद्गुहाकाशं वायुश्छिद्रमिवेश्वर: ॥ १० ॥
Verse text
bhagavāṁs tad abhijñāya
giriśo yoga-māyayā
āviśat tad-guhākāśaṁ
vāyuś chidram iveśvaraḥ
giriśo yoga-māyayā
āviśat tad-guhākāśaṁ
vāyuś chidram iveśvaraḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Understanding the situation very well, the powerful Lord Śiva employed his mystic power to enter within the sky of Mārkaṇḍeya’s heart, just as the wind passes through an opening.
Devanagari
आत्मन्यपि शिवं प्राप्तं तडित्पिङ्गजटाधरम् ।
त्र्यक्षं दशभुजं प्रांशुमुद्यन्तमिव भास्करम् ॥ ११ ॥
व्याघ्रचर्माम्बरं शूलधनुरिष्वसिचर्मभि: ।
अक्षमालाडमरुककपालं परशुं सह ॥ १२ ॥
बिभ्राणं सहसा भातं विचक्ष्य हृदि विस्मित: ।
किमिदं कुत एवेति समाधेर्विरतो मुनि: ॥ १३ ॥
त्र्यक्षं दशभुजं प्रांशुमुद्यन्तमिव भास्करम् ॥ ११ ॥
व्याघ्रचर्माम्बरं शूलधनुरिष्वसिचर्मभि: ।
अक्षमालाडमरुककपालं परशुं सह ॥ १२ ॥
बिभ्राणं सहसा भातं विचक्ष्य हृदि विस्मित: ।
किमिदं कुत एवेति समाधेर्विरतो मुनि: ॥ १३ ॥
Verse text
ātmany api śivaṁ prāptaṁ
taḍit-piṅga-jaṭā-dharam
try-akṣaṁ daśa-bhujaṁ prāṁśum
udyantam iva bhāskaram
taḍit-piṅga-jaṭā-dharam
try-akṣaṁ daśa-bhujaṁ prāṁśum
udyantam iva bhāskaram
vyāghra-carmāmbaraṁ śūla-
dhanur-iṣv-asi-carmabhiḥ
akṣa-mālā-ḍamaruka-
kapālaṁ paraśuṁ saha
dhanur-iṣv-asi-carmabhiḥ
akṣa-mālā-ḍamaruka-
kapālaṁ paraśuṁ saha
bibhrāṇaṁ sahasā bhātaṁ
vicakṣya hṛdi vismitaḥ
kim idaṁ kuta eveti
samādher virato muniḥ
vicakṣya hṛdi vismitaḥ
kim idaṁ kuta eveti
samādher virato muniḥ
Synonyms
ātmani — within himself; api — also; śivam — Lord Śiva; prāptam — arrived; taḍit — like lightning; piṅga — yellowish; jaṭā — locks of hair; dharam — carrying; tri-akṣam — with three eyes; daśa-bhujam — and ten arms; prāṁśum — very tall; udyantam — rising; iva — as; bhāskaram — the sun; vyāghra — of a tiger; carma — the fur; ambaram — as his garment; śūla — with his trident; dhanuḥ — bow; iṣu — arrows; asi — sword; carmabhiḥ — and shield; akṣa-mālā — his prayer beads; ḍamaruka — small drum; kapālam — and skull; paraśum — ax; saha — together with; bibhrāṇam — exhibiting; sahasā — suddenly; bhātam — manifest; vicakṣya — seeing; hṛdi — in his heart; vismitaḥ — surprised; kim — what; idam — this; kutaḥ — from where; eva — indeed; iti — thus; samādheḥ — from his trance; virataḥ — desisted; muniḥ — the sage.
Translation
Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya saw Lord Śiva suddenly appear within his heart. Lord Śiva’s golden hair resembled lightning, and he had three eyes, ten arms and a tall body that shone like the rising sun. He wore a tiger skin, and he carried a trident, a bow, arrows, a sword and a shield, along with prayer beads, a ḍamaru drum, a skull and an ax. Astonished, the sage came out of his trance and thought, “Who is this, and where has he come from?”
Devanagari
नेत्रे उन्मील्य ददृशे सगणं सोमयागतम् ।
रुद्रं त्रिलोकैकगुरुं ननाम शिरसा मुनि: ॥ १४ ॥
रुद्रं त्रिलोकैकगुरुं ननाम शिरसा मुनि: ॥ १४ ॥
Verse text
netre unmīlya dadṛśe
sa-gaṇaṁ somayāgatam
rudraṁ tri-lokaika-guruṁ
nanāma śirasā muniḥ
sa-gaṇaṁ somayāgatam
rudraṁ tri-lokaika-guruṁ
nanāma śirasā muniḥ
Synonyms
netre — his eyes; unmīlya — opening; dadṛśe — he saw; sa-gaṇam — with his associates; sa-umayā — and with Umā; āgatam — having arrived; rudram — Lord Rudra; tri-loka — of the three worlds; eka-gurum — the one spiritual master; nanāma — he offered his obeisances; śirasā — with his head; muniḥ — the sage.
Translation
Opening his eyes, the sage saw Lord Rudra, the spiritual master of the three worlds, together with Umā and Rudra’s followers. Mārkaṇḍeya then offered his respectful obeisances by bowing his head.
Purport
When Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi saw Lord Śiva and Umā within his heart, he immediately became aware of them and thus also of his own individual self. During his trance, on the other hand, he had simply been absorbed in awareness of the Supreme Lord and had thus forgotten himself as the conscious perceiver.
Devanagari
तस्मै सपर्यां व्यदधात् सगणाय सहोमया ।
स्वागतासनपाद्यार्घ्यगन्धस्रग्धूपदीपकै: ॥ १५ ॥
स्वागतासनपाद्यार्घ्यगन्धस्रग्धूपदीपकै: ॥ १५ ॥
Verse text
tasmai saparyāṁ vyadadhāt
sa-gaṇāya sahomayā
svāgatāsana-pādyārghya-
gandha-srag-dhūpa-dīpakaiḥ
sa-gaṇāya sahomayā
svāgatāsana-pādyārghya-
gandha-srag-dhūpa-dīpakaiḥ
Synonyms
tasmai — to him; saparyām — worship; vyadadhāt — he offered; sa-gaṇāya — together with his associates; saha umayā — together with Umā; su-āgata — by words of greeting; āsana — offering of sitting places; pādya — water for bathing the feet; arghya — fragrant drinking water; gandha — perfumed oil; srak — garlands; dhūpa — incense; dīpakaiḥ — and lamps.
Translation
Mārkaṇḍeya worshiped Lord Śiva, along with Umā and Śiva’s associates, by offering them words of welcome, sitting places, water for washing their feet, scented drinking water, fragrant oils, flower garlands and ārati lamps.
Devanagari
आह त्वात्मानुभावेन पूर्णकामस्य ते विभो ।
करवाम किमीशान येनेदं निर्वृतं जगत् ॥ १६ ॥
करवाम किमीशान येनेदं निर्वृतं जगत् ॥ १६ ॥
Verse text
āha tv ātmānubhāvena
pūrṇa-kāmasya te vibho
karavāma kim īśāna
yenedaṁ nirvṛtaṁ jagat
pūrṇa-kāmasya te vibho
karavāma kim īśāna
yenedaṁ nirvṛtaṁ jagat
Synonyms
āha — Mārkaṇḍeya said; tu — indeed; ātma-anubhāvena — by your own experience of ecstasy; pūrṇa-kāmasya — who is satisfied in all respects; te — for you; vibho — O mighty one; karavāma — I can do; kim — what; īśāna — O lord; yena — by whom; idam — this; nirvṛtam — is made peaceful; jagat — the entire world.
Translation
Mārkaṇḍeya said: O mighty lord, what can I possibly do for you, who are fully satisfied by your own ecstasy? Indeed, by your mercy you satisfy this entire world.
Devanagari
नम: शिवाय शान्ताय सत्त्वाय प्रमृडाय च ।
रजोजुषेऽथ घोराय नमस्तुभ्यं तमोजुषे ॥ १७ ॥
रजोजुषेऽथ घोराय नमस्तुभ्यं तमोजुषे ॥ १७ ॥
Verse text
namaḥ śivāya śāntāya
sattvāya pramṛḍāya ca
rajo-juṣe ’tha ghorāya
namas tubhyaṁ tamo-juṣe
sattvāya pramṛḍāya ca
rajo-juṣe ’tha ghorāya
namas tubhyaṁ tamo-juṣe
Synonyms
namaḥ — obeisances; śivāya — to the all-auspicious; śāntāya — peaceful; sattvāya — the personification of material goodness; pramṛḍāya — the giver of pleasure; ca — and; rajaḥ-juṣe — to him who is in contact with the mode of passion; atha — also; ghorāya — terrible; namaḥ — obeisances; tubhyam — to you; tamaḥ-juṣe — who associates with the mode of ignorance.
Translation
Again and again I offer my obeisances unto you, O all-auspicious transcendental personality. As the lord of goodness you give pleasure, in contact with the mode of passion you appear most fearful, and you also associate with the mode of ignorance.
Devanagari
सूत उवाच
एवं स्तुत: स भगवानादिदेव: सतां गति: ।
परितुष्ट: प्रसन्नात्मा प्रहसंस्तमभाषत ॥ १८ ॥
एवं स्तुत: स भगवानादिदेव: सतां गति: ।
परितुष्ट: प्रसन्नात्मा प्रहसंस्तमभाषत ॥ १८ ॥
Verse text
sūta uvāca
evaṁ stutaḥ sa bhagavān
ādi-devaḥ satāṁ gatiḥ
parituṣṭaḥ prasannātmā
prahasaṁs tam abhāṣata
evaṁ stutaḥ sa bhagavān
ādi-devaḥ satāṁ gatiḥ
parituṣṭaḥ prasannātmā
prahasaṁs tam abhāṣata
Synonyms
sūtaḥ uvāca — Sūta Gosvāmī said; evam — in these words; stutaḥ — praised; saḥ — he; bhagavān — the powerful Lord Śiva; ādi-devaḥ — the foremost of demigods; satām — of the saintly devotees; gatiḥ — the shelter; parituṣṭaḥ — perfectly satisfied; prasanna-ātmā — happy in his mind; prahasan — smiling; tam — to Mārkaṇḍeya; abhāṣata — spoke.
Translation
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Lord Śiva, the foremost demigod and the shelter of the saintly devotees, was satisfied by Mārkaṇḍeya’s praise. Pleased, he smiled and addressed the sage.
Devanagari
श्रीभगवानुवाच
वरं वृणीष्व न: कामं वरदेशा वयं त्रय: ।
अमोघं दर्शनं येषां मर्त्यो यद् विन्दतेऽमृतम् ॥ १९ ॥
वरं वृणीष्व न: कामं वरदेशा वयं त्रय: ।
अमोघं दर्शनं येषां मर्त्यो यद् विन्दतेऽमृतम् ॥ १९ ॥
Verse text
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
varaṁ vṛṇīṣva naḥ kāmaṁ
vara-deśā vayaṁ trayaḥ
amoghaṁ darśanaṁ yeṣāṁ
martyo yad vindate ’mṛtam
varaṁ vṛṇīṣva naḥ kāmaṁ
vara-deśā vayaṁ trayaḥ
amoghaṁ darśanaṁ yeṣāṁ
martyo yad vindate ’mṛtam
Synonyms
śrī-bhagavān uvāca — Lord Śiva said; varam — a benediction; vṛṇīṣva — please choose; naḥ — from us; kāmam — as desired; vara-da — of all givers of benedictions; īśāḥ — the controlling lords; vayam — we; trayaḥ — three (Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara); amogham — never in vain; darśanam — the seeing; yeṣām — of whom; martyaḥ — a mortal being; yat — by which; vindate — achieves; amṛtam — immortality.
Translation
Lord Śiva said: Please ask me for some benediction, since among all givers of benedictions, we three — Brahmā, Viṣṇu and I — are the best. Seeing us never goes in vain, because simply by seeing us a mortal achieves immortality.
Devanagari
ब्राह्मणा: साधव: शान्ता नि:सङ्गा भूतवत्सला: ।
एकान्तभक्ता अस्मासु निर्वैरा: समदर्शिन: ॥ २० ॥
सलोका लोकपालास्तान् वन्दन्त्यर्चन्त्युपासते ।
अहं च भगवान् ब्रह्मा स्वयं च हरिरीश्वर: ॥ २१ ॥
एकान्तभक्ता अस्मासु निर्वैरा: समदर्शिन: ॥ २० ॥
सलोका लोकपालास्तान् वन्दन्त्यर्चन्त्युपासते ।
अहं च भगवान् ब्रह्मा स्वयं च हरिरीश्वर: ॥ २१ ॥
Verse text
brāhmaṇāḥ sādhavaḥ śāntā
niḥsaṅgā bhūta-vatsalāḥ
ekānta-bhaktā asmāsu
nirvairāḥ sama-darśinaḥ
niḥsaṅgā bhūta-vatsalāḥ
ekānta-bhaktā asmāsu
nirvairāḥ sama-darśinaḥ
sa-lokā loka-pālās tān
vandanty arcanty upāsate
ahaṁ ca bhagavān brahmā
svayaṁ ca harir īśvaraḥ
vandanty arcanty upāsate
ahaṁ ca bhagavān brahmā
svayaṁ ca harir īśvaraḥ
Synonyms
brāhmaṇāḥ — brāhmaṇas; sādhavaḥ — saintly in behavior; śāntāḥ — peaceful and free of envy and other bad qualities; niḥsaṅgāḥ — free of material association; bhūta-vatsalāḥ — compassionate to all living beings; eka-anta-bhaktāḥ — unalloyed devotees; asmāsu — of ourselves (Brahmā, Lord Śrī Hari and Śiva); nirvairāḥ — never hateful; sama-darśinaḥ — seeing equally; sa-lokāḥ — with the inhabitants of all the worlds; loka-pālāḥ — the rulers of the various planets; tān — those brāhmaṇas; vandanti — glorify; arcanti — worship; upāsate — assist; aham — I; ca — also; bhagavān — the great lord; brahmā — Brahmā; svayam — Himself; ca — also; hariḥ — Lord Hari; īśvaraḥ — the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Translation
The inhabitants and ruling demigods of all planets, along with Lord Brahmā, the Supreme Lord Hari and I, glorify, worship and assist those brāhmaṇas who are saintly, always peaceful, free of material attachment, compassionate to all living beings, purely devoted to us, devoid of hatred and endowed with equal vision.
Devanagari
न ते मय्यच्युतेऽजे च भिदामण्वपि चक्षते ।
नात्मनश्च जनस्यापि तद् युष्मान् वयमीमहि ॥ २२ ॥
नात्मनश्च जनस्यापि तद् युष्मान् वयमीमहि ॥ २२ ॥
Verse text
na te mayy acyute ’je ca
bhidām aṇv api cakṣate
nātmanaś ca janasyāpi
tad yuṣmān vayam īmahi
bhidām aṇv api cakṣate
nātmanaś ca janasyāpi
tad yuṣmān vayam īmahi
Synonyms
na — do not; te — they; mayi — in me; acyute — in Lord Viṣṇu; aje — in Lord Brahmā; ca — and; bhidām — difference; aṇu — slight; api — even; cakṣate — see; na — not; ātmanaḥ — of themselves; ca — and; janasya — of other people; api — also; tat — therefore; yuṣmān — yourselves; vayam — we; īmahi — worship.
Translation
These devotees do not differentiate between Lord Viṣṇu, Lord Brahmā and me, nor do they differentiate between themselves and other living beings. Therefore, because you are this kind of saintly devotee, we worship you.
Purport
Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva are, respectively, manifestations of the creating and annihilating potencies of the Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu. Thus unity exists among these three ruling deities of the material world. One should not, on the basis of the modes of nature, find material duality within the ruling potency of the Supreme Lord, although that potency is manifested in three divisions as Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva.
Devanagari
न ह्यम्मयानि तीर्थानि न देवाश्चेतनोज्झिता: ।
ते पुनन्त्युरुकालेन यूयं दर्शनमात्रत: ॥ २३ ॥
ते पुनन्त्युरुकालेन यूयं दर्शनमात्रत: ॥ २३ ॥
Verse text
na hy am-mayāni tīrthāni
na devāś cetanojjhitāḥ
te punanty uru-kālena
yūyaṁ darśana-mātrataḥ
na devāś cetanojjhitāḥ
te punanty uru-kālena
yūyaṁ darśana-mātrataḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Mere bodies of water do not constitute holy places, nor are lifeless statues of the demigods actual worshipable deities. Because external vision fails to appreciate the higher essence of the holy rivers and the demigods, these purify only after a considerable time. But devotees like you purify immediately, just by being seen.
Devanagari
ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नमस्यामो येऽस्मद्रूपं त्रयीमयम् ।
बिभ्रत्यात्मसमाधानतप:स्वाध्यायसंयमै: ॥ २४ ॥
बिभ्रत्यात्मसमाधानतप:स्वाध्यायसंयमै: ॥ २४ ॥
Verse text
brāhmaṇebhyo namasyāmo
ye ’smad-rūpaṁ trayī-mayam
bibhraty ātma-samādhāna-
tapaḥ-svādhyāya-saṁyamaiḥ
ye ’smad-rūpaṁ trayī-mayam
bibhraty ātma-samādhāna-
tapaḥ-svādhyāya-saṁyamaiḥ
Synonyms
brāhmaṇebhyaḥ — to the brāhmaṇas; namasyāmaḥ — we offer our respects; ye — who; asmat-rūpam — the form of ourselves (Śiva, Brahmā and Viṣṇu); trayī-mayam — represented by the three Vedas; bibhrati — carry; ātma-samādhāna — by meditative trance focused on the Self; tapaḥ — by austerities; svādhyāya — by study; saṁyamaiḥ — and by following regulative principles.
Translation
By meditating upon the Supreme Soul, performing austerities, engaging in Vedic study and following regulative principles, the brāhmaṇas sustain within themselves the three Vedas, which are nondifferent from Lord Viṣṇu, Lord Brahmā and me. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto the brāhmaṇas.
Purport
A pure devotee of the Supreme Lord is considered the most elevated of brāhmaṇas, since all spiritual endeavor culminates in the loving service of God.
Devanagari
श्रवणाद् दर्शनाद् वापि महापातकिनोऽपि व: ।
शुध्येरन्नन्त्यजाश्चापि किमु सम्भाषणादिभि: ॥ २५ ॥
शुध्येरन्नन्त्यजाश्चापि किमु सम्भाषणादिभि: ॥ २५ ॥
Verse text
śravaṇād darśanād vāpi
mahā-pātakino ’pi vaḥ
śudhyerann antya-jāś cāpi
kim u sambhāṣaṇādibhiḥ
mahā-pātakino ’pi vaḥ
śudhyerann antya-jāś cāpi
kim u sambhāṣaṇādibhiḥ
Synonyms
śravaṇāt — by hearing about; darśanāt — by seeing; vā — or; api — also; mahā-pātakinaḥ — those who commit the worst kinds of sins; api — even; vaḥ — you; śudhyeran — they become purified; antya-jāḥ — outcastes; ca — and; api — even; kim u — what to speak of; sambhāṣaṇa-ādibhiḥ — by directly speaking with, and so on.
Translation
Even the worst sinners and social outcastes are purified just by hearing about or seeing personalities like you. Imagine, then, how purified they become by directly speaking with you.
Devanagari
सूत उवाच
इति चन्द्रललामस्य धर्मगुह्योपबृंहितम् ।
वचोऽमृतायनमृषिर्नातृप्यत् कर्णयो: पिबन् ॥ २६ ॥
इति चन्द्रललामस्य धर्मगुह्योपबृंहितम् ।
वचोऽमृतायनमृषिर्नातृप्यत् कर्णयो: पिबन् ॥ २६ ॥
Verse text
sūta uvāca
iti candra-lalāmasya
dharma-gahyopabṛṁhitam
vaco ’mṛtāyanam ṛṣir
nātṛpyat karṇayoḥ piban
iti candra-lalāmasya
dharma-gahyopabṛṁhitam
vaco ’mṛtāyanam ṛṣir
nātṛpyat karṇayoḥ piban
Synonyms
sūtaḥ uvāca — Sūta Gosvāmī said; iti — thus; candra-lalāmasya — of Lord Śiva, who is decorated with the moon; dharma-guhya — with the secret essence of religion; upabṛṁhitam — filled; vacaḥ — the words; amṛta-ayanam — the reservoir of nectar; ṛṣiḥ — the sage; na atṛpyat — did not feel satiated; karṇayoḥ — with his ears; piban — drinking.
Translation
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Drinking with his ears Lord Śiva’s nectarean words, full of the confidential essence of religion, Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi could not be satiated.
Purport
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi was not eager to hear himself praised by Lord Śiva, but he appreciated Lord Śiva’s deep realization of religious principles and therefore desired to hear more.
Devanagari
स चिरं मायया विष्णोर्भ्रामित: कर्शितो भृशम् ।
शिववागमृतध्वस्तक्लेशपुञ्जस्तमब्रवीत् ॥ २७ ॥
शिववागमृतध्वस्तक्लेशपुञ्जस्तमब्रवीत् ॥ २७ ॥
Verse text
sa ciraṁ māyayā viṣṇor
bhrāmitaḥ karśito bhṛśam
śiva-vāg-amṛta-dhvasta-
kleśa-puñjas tam abravīt
bhrāmitaḥ karśito bhṛśam
śiva-vāg-amṛta-dhvasta-
kleśa-puñjas tam abravīt
Synonyms
saḥ — he; ciram — for a long time; māyayā — by the illusory energy; viṣṇoḥ — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu; bhrāmitaḥ — made to wander; karśitaḥ — exhausted; bhṛśam — extremely; śiva — of Lord Śiva; vāk-amṛta — by the words of nectar; dhvasta — destroyed; kleśa-puñjaḥ — his heaps of suffering; tam — to him; abravīt — spoke.
Translation
Mārkaṇḍeya, having been forced by Lord Viṣṇu’s illusory energy to wander about for a long time in the water of dissolution, had become extremely exhausted. But Lord Śiva’s words of nectar vanquished his accumulated suffering. Thus he addressed Lord Śiva.
Purport
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi had desired to see Lord Viṣṇu’s illusory energy and had suffered extensive miseries. But now, in the person of Śiva, Lord Viṣṇu again appeared before the sage and relieved all his suffering by imparting blissful spiritual instructions.
Devanagari
श्रीमार्कण्डेय उवाच
अहो ईश्वरलीलेयं दुर्विभाव्या शरीरिणाम् ।
यन्नमन्तीशितव्यानि स्तुवन्ति जगदीश्वरा: ॥ २८ ॥
अहो ईश्वरलीलेयं दुर्विभाव्या शरीरिणाम् ।
यन्नमन्तीशितव्यानि स्तुवन्ति जगदीश्वरा: ॥ २८ ॥
Verse text
śrī-mārkaṇḍeya uvāca
aho īśvara-līleyaṁ
durvibhāvyā śarīriṇām
yan namantīśitavyāni
stuvanti jagad-īśvarāḥ
aho īśvara-līleyaṁ
durvibhāvyā śarīriṇām
yan namantīśitavyāni
stuvanti jagad-īśvarāḥ
Synonyms
śrī-mārkaṇḍeyaḥ uvāca — Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said; aho — ah; īśvara — of the great lords; līlā — the pastime; iyam — this; durvibhāvyā — inconceivable; śarīriṇām — for embodied souls; yat — since; namanti — they offer obeisances; īśitavyāni — to those who are controlled by them; stuvanti — they praise; jagat-īśvarāḥ — the rulers of the universe.
Translation
Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya said: It is indeed most difficult for embodied souls to understand the pastimes of the universal controllers, for such lords bow down to and offer praise to the very living beings they rule.
Purport
In the material world, conditioned souls strive to lord it over one another. Therefore they cannot understand the pastimes of the actual lords of the universe. Such bona fide lords have a wonderfully magnanimous mentality and thus sometimes bow down to the most qualified and saintly among their own subjects.
Devanagari
धर्मं ग्राहयितुं प्राय: प्रवक्तारश्च देहिनाम् ।
आचरन्त्यनुमोदन्ते क्रियमाणं स्तुवन्ति च ॥ २९ ॥
आचरन्त्यनुमोदन्ते क्रियमाणं स्तुवन्ति च ॥ २९ ॥
Verse text
dharmaṁ grāhayituṁ prāyaḥ
pravaktāraś ca dehinām
ācaranty anumodante
kriyamāṇaṁ stuvanti ca
pravaktāraś ca dehinām
ācaranty anumodante
kriyamāṇaṁ stuvanti ca
Synonyms
dharmam — religion; grāhayitum — to cause the acceptance of; prāyaḥ — for the most part; pravaktāraḥ — the authorized speakers; ca — and; dehinām — for ordinary embodied souls; ācaranti — they act; anumodante — they encourage; kriyamāṇam — one who is executing; stuvanti — they praise; ca — also.
Translation
Generally it is to induce embodied souls to accept religious principles that the authorized teachers of religion exhibit ideal behavior while encouraging and praising the proper behavior of others.
Devanagari
नैतावता भगवत: स्वमायामयवृत्तिभि: ।
न दुष्येतानुभावस्तैर्मायिन: कुहकं यथा ॥ ३० ॥
न दुष्येतानुभावस्तैर्मायिन: कुहकं यथा ॥ ३० ॥
Verse text
naitāvatā bhagavataḥ
sva-māyā-maya-vṛttibhiḥ
na duṣyetānubhāvas tair
māyinaḥ kuhakaṁ yathā
sva-māyā-maya-vṛttibhiḥ
na duṣyetānubhāvas tair
māyinaḥ kuhakaṁ yathā
Synonyms
na — not; etāvatā — by such (a show of humility); bhagavataḥ — of the Personality of Godhead; sva-māyā — of His own illusory energy; maya — consisting of; vṛttibhiḥ — by the activities; na duṣyeta — is not spoiled; anubhāvaḥ — the power; taiḥ — by them; māyinaḥ — of a magician; kuhakam — the tricks; yathā — just as.
Translation
This apparent humility is simply a show of mercy. Such behavior of the Supreme Lord and His personal associates, which the Lord effects by His own bewildering potency, does not spoil His power any more than a magician’s powers are diminished by his exhibition of tricks.
Devanagari
सृष्ट्वेदं मनसा विश्वमात्मनानुप्रविश्य य: ।
गुणै: कुर्वद्भिराभाति कर्तेव स्वप्नदृग् यथा ॥ ३१ ॥
तस्मै नमो भगवते त्रिगुणाय गुणात्मने ।
केवलायाद्वितीयाय गुरवे ब्रह्ममूर्तये ॥ ३२ ॥
गुणै: कुर्वद्भिराभाति कर्तेव स्वप्नदृग् यथा ॥ ३१ ॥
तस्मै नमो भगवते त्रिगुणाय गुणात्मने ।
केवलायाद्वितीयाय गुरवे ब्रह्ममूर्तये ॥ ३२ ॥
Verse text
sṛṣṭvedaṁ manasā viśvam
ātmanānupraviśya yaḥ
guṇaiḥ kurvadbhir ābhāti
karteva svapna-dṛg yathā
ātmanānupraviśya yaḥ
guṇaiḥ kurvadbhir ābhāti
karteva svapna-dṛg yathā
tasmai namo bhagavate
tri-guṇāya guṇātmane
kevalāyādvitīyāya
gurave brahma-mūrtaye
tri-guṇāya guṇātmane
kevalāyādvitīyāya
gurave brahma-mūrtaye
Synonyms
sṛṣṭvā — creating; idam — this; manasā — by His mind, simply by His desire; viśvam — the universe; ātmanā — as the Supersoul; anupraviśya — subsequently entering; yaḥ — who; guṇaiḥ — by the modes of nature; kurvadbhiḥ — which are acting; ābhāti — appears; kartā iva — as if the doer; svapna-dṛk — a person who is seeing a dream; yathā — as; tasmai — unto Him; namaḥ — obeisances; bhagavate — unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead; tri-guṇāya — who possesses the three modes of nature; guṇa-ātmane — who is the ultimate controller of the modes of nature; kevalāya — to the pure; advitīyāya — who has no equal; gurave — the supreme spiritual master; brahma-mūrtaye — the personal form of the Absolute Truth.
Translation
I offer my obeisances to that Supreme Personality of Godhead, who has created this entire universe simply by His desire and then entered into it as the Supersoul. By making the modes of nature act, He seems to be the direct creator of this world, just as a dreamer seems to be acting within his dream. He is the owner and ultimate controller of the three modes of nature, yet He remains alone and pure, without any equal. He is the supreme spiritual master of all, the original personal form of the Absolute Truth.
Purport
The Supreme Lord releases His material potencies, and by their interaction creation takes place. The Lord remains aloof, as the supreme transcendental entity. Still, because the entire creation unfolds according to His design and will, His controlling hand is perceived within all things. People thus imagine that God is the direct builder of this world, although He remains aloof, creating through the manipulation of His multifarious potencies.
Devanagari
कं वृणे नु परं भूमन् वरं त्वद् वरदर्शनात् ।
यद्दर्शनात् पूर्णकाम: सत्यकाम: पुमान् भवेत् ॥ ३३ ॥
यद्दर्शनात् पूर्णकाम: सत्यकाम: पुमान् भवेत् ॥ ३३ ॥
Verse text
kaṁ vṛṇe nu paraṁ bhūman
varaṁ tvad vara-darśanāt
yad-darśanāt pūrṇa-kāmaḥ
satya-kāmaḥ pumān bhavet
varaṁ tvad vara-darśanāt
yad-darśanāt pūrṇa-kāmaḥ
satya-kāmaḥ pumān bhavet
Synonyms
kam — what; vṛṇe — shall I choose; nu — indeed; param — other; bhūman — O all-pervading lord; varam — benediction; tvat — from you; vara-darśanāt — the sight of whom is itself the highest benediction; yat — of whom; darśanāt — from the seeing; pūrṇa-kāmaḥ — full in all desires; satya-kāmaḥ — able to achieve anything desired; pumān — a person; bhavet — becomes.
Translation
O all-pervading lord, since I have received the benediction of seeing you, what other benediction can I ask for? Simply by seeing you, a person fulfills all his desires and can achieve anything imaginable.
Devanagari
वरमेकं वृणेऽथापि पूर्णात् कामाभिवर्षणात् ।
भगवत्यच्युतां भक्तिं तत्परेषु तथा त्वयि ॥ ३४ ॥
भगवत्यच्युतां भक्तिं तत्परेषु तथा त्वयि ॥ ३४ ॥
Verse text
varam ekaṁ vṛṇe ’thāpi
pūrṇāt kāmābhivarṣaṇāt
bhagavaty acyutāṁ bhaktiṁ
tat-pareṣu tathā tvayi
pūrṇāt kāmābhivarṣaṇāt
bhagavaty acyutāṁ bhaktiṁ
tat-pareṣu tathā tvayi
Synonyms
varam — benediction; ekam — one; vṛṇe — I request; atha api — nevertheless; pūrṇāt — from him who is completely full; kāma-abhivarṣaṇāt — who showers down the fulfillment of desires; bhagavati — for the Supreme Personality of Godhead; acyutām — infallible; bhaktim — devotional service; tat-pareṣu — for those who are dedicated to Him; tathā — and also; tvayi — for yourself.
Translation
But I do request one benediction from you, who are full of all perfection and able to shower down the fulfillment of all desires. I ask to have unfailing devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead and for His dedicated devotees, especially you.
Purport
The words tat-pareṣu tathā tvayi clearly indicate that Lord Śiva is a devotee of the Supreme Lord, not the Supreme Lord Himself. Because the representative of God is offered the same protocol as God Himself, Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi addressed Lord Śiva as “lord” in previous verses. But now it is clearly revealed that, as stated throughout Vedic literature, Lord Śiva is an eternal servant of God and not God Himself.
Desire manifests itself within the mind and heart according to the subtle laws governing consciousness. Pure desire to engage in the loving service of the Lord brings one to the most exalted platform of consciousness, and such a perfect understanding of life is available only by the special mercy of the Lord’s devotees.
Devanagari
सूत उवाच
इत्यर्चितोऽभिष्टुतश्च मुनिना सूक्तया गिरा ।
तमाह भगवाञ्छर्व: शर्वया चाभिनन्दित: ॥ ३५ ॥
इत्यर्चितोऽभिष्टुतश्च मुनिना सूक्तया गिरा ।
तमाह भगवाञ्छर्व: शर्वया चाभिनन्दित: ॥ ३५ ॥
Verse text
sūta uvāca
ity arcito ’bhiṣṭutaś ca
muninā sūktayā girā
tam āha bhagavāñ charvaḥ
śarvayā cābhinanditaḥ
ity arcito ’bhiṣṭutaś ca
muninā sūktayā girā
tam āha bhagavāñ charvaḥ
śarvayā cābhinanditaḥ
Synonyms
sūtaḥ uvāca — Sūta Gosvāmī said; iti — in these words; arcitaḥ — worshiped; abhiṣṭutaḥ — glorified; ca — and; muninā — by the sage; su-uktayā — well-spoken; girā — with words; tam — to him; āha — spoke; bhagavān śarvaḥ — Lord Śiva; śarvayā — by his consort, Śarvā; ca — and; abhinanditaḥ — encouraged.
Translation
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Thus worshiped and glorified by the eloquent statements of the sage Mārkaṇḍeya, Lord Śarva [Śiva], encouraged by his consort, replied to him as follows.
Devanagari
कामो महर्षे सर्वोऽयं भक्तिमांस्त्वमधोक्षजे ।
आकल्पान्ताद् यश: पुण्यमजरामरता तथा ॥ ३६ ॥
आकल्पान्ताद् यश: पुण्यमजरामरता तथा ॥ ३६ ॥
Verse text
kāmo maharṣe sarvo ’yaṁ
bhaktimāṁs tvam adhokṣaje
ā-kalpāntād yaśaḥ puṇyam
ajarāmaratā tathā
bhaktimāṁs tvam adhokṣaje
ā-kalpāntād yaśaḥ puṇyam
ajarāmaratā tathā
Synonyms
kāmaḥ — desire; mahā-ṛṣe — O great sage; sarvaḥ — all; ayam — this; bhakti-mān — full of devotion; tvam — you; adhokṣaje — for the transcendental Personality of Godhead; ā-kalpa-antāt — up until the end of the day of Brahmā; yaśaḥ — fame; puṇyam — pious; ajara-amaratā — freedom from old age and death; tathā — also.
Translation
O great sage, because you are devoted to Lord Adhokṣaja, all your desires will be fulfilled. Until the very end of this creation cycle, you will enjoy pious fame and freedom from old age and death.
Devanagari
ज्ञानं त्रैकालिकं ब्रह्मन् विज्ञानं च विरक्तिमत् ।
ब्रह्मवर्चस्विनो भूयात् पुराणाचार्यतास्तु ते ॥ ३७ ॥
ब्रह्मवर्चस्विनो भूयात् पुराणाचार्यतास्तु ते ॥ ३७ ॥
Verse text
jñānaṁ trai-kālikaṁ brahman
vijñānaṁ ca viraktimat
brahma-varcasvino bhūyāt
purāṇācāryatāstu te
vijñānaṁ ca viraktimat
brahma-varcasvino bhūyāt
purāṇācāryatāstu te
Synonyms
jñānam — knowledge; trai-kālikam — of all three phases of time (past, present and future); brahman — O brāhmaṇa; vijñānam — transcendental realization; ca — also; virakti-mat — including renunciation; brahma-varcasvinaḥ — of him who is endowed with brahminical potency; bhūyāt — let there be; purāṇa-ācāryatā — the status of being a teacher of the Purāṇas; astu — may there be; te — of you.
Translation
O brāhmaṇa, may you have perfect knowledge of past, present and future, along with transcendental realization of the Supreme, enriched by renunciation. You have the brilliance of an ideal brāhmaṇa, and thus may you achieve the post of spiritual master of the Purāṇas.
Devanagari
सूत उवाच
एवं वरान् स मुनये दत्त्वागात् त्र्यक्ष ईश्वर: ।
देव्यै तत्कर्म कथयन्ननुभूतं पुरामुना ॥ ३८ ॥
एवं वरान् स मुनये दत्त्वागात् त्र्यक्ष ईश्वर: ।
देव्यै तत्कर्म कथयन्ननुभूतं पुरामुना ॥ ३८ ॥
Verse text
sūta uvāca
evaṁ varān sa munaye
dattvāgāt try-akṣa īśvaraḥ
devyai tat-karma kathayann
anubhūtaṁ purāmunā
evaṁ varān sa munaye
dattvāgāt try-akṣa īśvaraḥ
devyai tat-karma kathayann
anubhūtaṁ purāmunā
Synonyms
sūtaḥ uvāca — Sūta Gosvāmī said; evam — in this way; varān — benedictions; saḥ — he; munaye — to the sage; dattvā — giving; agāt — went; tri-akṣaḥ — he who has three eyes; īśvaraḥ — Lord Śiva; devyai — to goddess Pārvatī; tat-karma — the activities of Mārkaṇḍeya; kathayan — recounting; anubhūtam — what was experienced; purā — before; amunā — by him, Mārkaṇḍeya.
Translation
Sūta Gosvāmī said: Having thus granted Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi benedictions, Lord Śiva went on his way, continuing to describe to goddess Devī the accomplishments of the sage and the direct exhibition of the Lord’s illusory power that he had experienced.
Devanagari
सोऽप्यवाप्तमहायोगमहिमा भार्गवोत्तम: ।
विचरत्यधुनाप्यद्धा हरावेकान्ततां गत: ॥ ३९ ॥
विचरत्यधुनाप्यद्धा हरावेकान्ततां गत: ॥ ३९ ॥
Verse text
so ’py avāpta-mahā-yoga-
mahimā bhārgavottamaḥ
vicaraty adhunāpy addhā
harāv ekāntatāṁ gataḥ
mahimā bhārgavottamaḥ
vicaraty adhunāpy addhā
harāv ekāntatāṁ gataḥ
Synonyms
saḥ — he, Mārkaṇḍeya; api — indeed; avāpta — having achieved; mahā-yoga — of the topmost perfection of yoga; mahimā — the glories; bhārgava-uttamaḥ — the best descendant of Bhṛgu; vicarati — is traveling about; adhunā api — even today; addhā — directly; harau — for Lord Hari; eka-antatām — the platform of exclusive devotion; gataḥ — having attained.
Translation
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi, the best of the descendants of Bhṛgu, is glorious because of his achievement of perfection in mystic yoga. Even today he travels about this world, fully absorbed in unalloyed devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Devanagari
अनुवर्णितमेतत्ते मार्कण्डेयस्य धीमत: ।
अनुभूतं भगवतो मायावैभवमद्भुतम् ॥ ४० ॥
अनुभूतं भगवतो मायावैभवमद्भुतम् ॥ ४० ॥
Verse text
anuvarṇitam etat te
mārkaṇḍeyasya dhīmataḥ
anubhūtaṁ bhagavato
māyā-vaibhavam adbhutam
mārkaṇḍeyasya dhīmataḥ
anubhūtaṁ bhagavato
māyā-vaibhavam adbhutam
Synonyms
anuvarṇitam — described; etat — this; te — to you; mārkaṇḍeyasya — by Mārkaṇḍeya; dhī-mataḥ — the intelligent; anubhūtam — experienced; bhagavataḥ — of the Personality of Godhead; māyā-vaibhavam — the opulence of the illusory energy; adbhutam — amazing.
Translation
I have thus narrated to you the activities of the highly intelligent sage Mārkaṇḍeya, especially how he experienced the amazing power of the Supreme Lord’s illusory energy.
Devanagari
एतत् केचिदविद्वांसो मायासंसृतिरात्मन: ।
अनाद्यावर्तितं नृणां कादाचित्कं प्रचक्षते ॥ ४१ ॥
अनाद्यावर्तितं नृणां कादाचित्कं प्रचक्षते ॥ ४१ ॥
Verse text
etat kecid avidvāṁso
māyā-saṁsṛtir ātmanaḥ
anādy-āvartitaṁ nṝṇāṁ
kādācitkaṁ pracakṣate
māyā-saṁsṛtir ātmanaḥ
anādy-āvartitaṁ nṝṇāṁ
kādācitkaṁ pracakṣate
Synonyms
etat — this; kecit — some persons; avidvāṁsaḥ — who are not learned; māyā-saṁsṛtiḥ — the illusory creation; ātmanaḥ — of the Supreme Soul; anādi — from time immemorial; āvartitam — repeating; nṝṇām — of conditioned living beings; kādācitkam — unprecedented; pracakṣate — they say.
Translation
Although this event was unique and unprecedented, some unintelligent persons compare it to the cycle of illusory material existence the Supreme Lord has created for the conditioned souls — an endless cycle that has been continuing since time immemorial.
Purport
Mārkaṇḍeya’s being drawn into the Lord’s body by His inhalation and expelled again by His exhalation should not be considered a symbolic description of the perennial cycles of material creation and annihilation. This portion of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam describes a real, historical event experienced by a great devotee of the Lord, and those trying to relegate this story to mere symbolic allegory are here declared to be unintelligent fools.
Devanagari
य एवमेतद् भृगुवर्य वर्णितं
रथाङ्गपाणेरनुभावभावितम् ।
संश्रावयेत् संशृणुयादु तावुभौ
तयोर्न कर्माशयसंसृतिर्भवेत् ॥ ४२ ॥
रथाङ्गपाणेरनुभावभावितम् ।
संश्रावयेत् संशृणुयादु तावुभौ
तयोर्न कर्माशयसंसृतिर्भवेत् ॥ ४२ ॥
Verse text
ya evam etad bhṛgu-varya varṇitaṁ
rathāṅga-pāṇer anubhāva-bhāvitam
saṁśrāvayet saṁśṛṇuyād u tāv ubhau
tayor na karmāśaya-saṁsṛtir bhavet
rathāṅga-pāṇer anubhāva-bhāvitam
saṁśrāvayet saṁśṛṇuyād u tāv ubhau
tayor na karmāśaya-saṁsṛtir bhavet
Synonyms
yaḥ — who; evam — thus; etat — this; bhṛgu-varya — O best of the descendants of Bhṛgu (Śaunaka); varṇitam — described; ratha-aṅga-pāṇeḥ — of Lord Śrī Hari, who carries a chariot wheel in His hand; anubhāva — with the potency; bhāvitam — infused; saṁśrāvayet — causes anyone to hear; saṁśṛṇuyāt — himself hears; u — or; tau — they; ubhau — both; tayoḥ — of them; na — not; karma-āśaya — based on the mentality of fruitive work; saṁsṛtiḥ — the cycle of material life; bhavet — there is.
Translation
O best of the Bhṛgus, this account concerning Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi conveys the transcendental potency of the Supreme Lord. Anyone who properly narrates or hears it will never again undergo material existence, which is based on the desire to perform fruitive activities.
Purport
Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Twelfth Canto, Tenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Lord Śiva and Umā Glorify Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi.”