Before Verses
Devanagari
Verse Text
Synonyms
Translation
Purport
CHAPTER NINE
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Sees the Illusory Potency of the Lord
This chapter describes Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi’s vision of the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s illusory energy.
Satisfied by the prayers Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya had offered, the Supreme Lord told him to ask for a benediction, and the sage said he wanted to see the Lord’s illusory energy. The Supreme Lord Śrī Hari, present before Mārkaṇḍeya in the form of Nara-Nārāyaṇa, replied, “So be it,” and then left for Badarikāśrama. One day, as Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya was offering his evening prayers, the water of devastation suddenly flooded the three worlds. With great difficulty Mārkaṇḍeya moved about all alone in this water for a long time, until he came upon a banyan tree. Lying upon a leaf of that tree was an infant boy glowing with a charming effulgence. As Mārkaṇḍeya moved toward the leaf, he was pulled by the boy’s inhalation and, just like a mosquito, drawn within His body.
Inside the boy’s body, Mārkaṇḍeya was amazed to see the entire universe just as it had been before the annihilation. After a moment the sage was carried out by the force of the child’s exhalation and hurled back into the ocean of annihilation. Then, seeing that the child on the leaf was actually Śrī Hari, the transcendental Lord situated within his own heart, Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya tried to embrace Him. But at that moment Lord Hari, the master of all mystic power, disappeared. Then the waters of annihilation disappeared as well, and Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya found himself in his own āśrama, just as before.
Devanagari
सूत उवाच
संस्तुतो भगवानित्थं मार्कण्डेयेन धीमता ।
नारायणो नरसख: प्रीत आह भृगूद्वहम् ॥ १ ॥
संस्तुतो भगवानित्थं मार्कण्डेयेन धीमता ।
नारायणो नरसख: प्रीत आह भृगूद्वहम् ॥ १ ॥
Verse text
sūta uvāca
saṁstuto bhagavān itthaṁ
mārkaṇḍeyena dhīmatā
nārāyaṇo nara-sakhaḥ
prīta āha bhṛgūdvaham
saṁstuto bhagavān itthaṁ
mārkaṇḍeyena dhīmatā
nārāyaṇo nara-sakhaḥ
prīta āha bhṛgūdvaham
Synonyms
sūtaḥ uvāca — Sūta Gosvāmī said; saṁstutaḥ — properly glorified; bhagavān — the Supreme Lord; ittham — in this way; mārkaṇḍeyena — by Mārkaṇḍeya; dhī-matā — the intelligent sage; nārāyaṇaḥ — Lord Nārāyaṇa; nara-sakhaḥ — the friend of Nara; prītaḥ — satisfied; āha — spoke; bhṛgu-udvaham — to the most eminent descendant of Bhṛgu.
Translation
Sūta Gosvāmī said: The Supreme Lord Nārāyaṇa, the friend of Nara, was satisfied by the proper glorification offered by the intelligent sage Mārkaṇḍeya. Thus the Lord addressed that excellent descendant of Bhṛgu.
Devanagari
श्रीभगवानुवाच
भो भो ब्रह्मर्षिवर्योऽसि सिद्ध आत्मसमाधिना ।
मयि भक्त्यानपायिन्या तप:स्वाध्यायसंयमै: ॥ २ ॥
भो भो ब्रह्मर्षिवर्योऽसि सिद्ध आत्मसमाधिना ।
मयि भक्त्यानपायिन्या तप:स्वाध्यायसंयमै: ॥ २ ॥
Verse text
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
bho bho brahmarṣi-varyo ’si
siddha ātma-samādhinā
mayi bhaktyānapāyinyā
tapaḥ-svādhyāya-saṁyamaiḥ
bho bho brahmarṣi-varyo ’si
siddha ātma-samādhinā
mayi bhaktyānapāyinyā
tapaḥ-svādhyāya-saṁyamaiḥ
Synonyms
śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; bhoḥ bhoḥ — dear sage; brahma-ṛṣi — of all learned brāhmaṇas; varyaḥ — the best; asi — you are; siddhaḥ — perfect; ātma-samādhinā — by fixed meditation upon the Self; mayi — directed toward Me; bhaktyā — by devotional service; anapāyinyā — undeviating; tapaḥ — by austerities; svādhyāya — study of the Vedas; saṁyamaiḥ — and regulative principles.
Translation
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Mārkaṇḍeya, you are indeed the best of all learned brāhmaṇas. You have perfected your life by practicing fixed meditation upon the Supreme Soul, as well as by focusing upon Me your undeviating devotional service, your austerities, your study of the Vedas and your strict adherence to regulative principles.
Devanagari
वयं ते परितुष्टा: स्म त्वद् बृहद्व्रतचर्यया ।
वरं प्रतीच्छ भद्रं ते वरदोऽस्मि त्वदीप्सितम् ॥ ३ ॥
वरं प्रतीच्छ भद्रं ते वरदोऽस्मि त्वदीप्सितम् ॥ ३ ॥
Verse text
vayaṁ te parituṣṭāḥ sma
tvad-bṛhad-vrata-caryayā
varaṁ pratīccha bhadraṁ te
vara-do ’smi tvad-īpsitam
tvad-bṛhad-vrata-caryayā
varaṁ pratīccha bhadraṁ te
vara-do ’smi tvad-īpsitam
Synonyms
vayam — We; te — with you; parituṣṭāḥ — perfectly satisfied; sma — have become; tvat — your; bṛhat-vrata — of the vow of lifelong celibacy; caryayā — by performance; varam — a benediction; pratīccha — please choose; bhadram — all good; te — unto you; vara-daḥ — the giver of benedictions; asmi — I am; tvat-īpsitam — desired by you.
Translation
We are perfectly satisfied with your practice of lifelong celibacy. Please choose whatever benediction you desire, since I can grant your wish. May you enjoy all good fortune.
Purport
Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that the Lord used the plural form in the beginning of this verse — “We are satisfied” — because He was referring to Himself along with Śiva and Umā, who will later be glorified by Mārkaṇḍeya. The Lord then used the singular — “I am the bestower of benedictions” — because ultimately only Lord Nārāyaṇa (Kṛṣṇa) can award the highest perfection of life, eternal Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Devanagari
श्रीऋषिरुवाच
जितं ते देवदेवेश प्रपन्नार्तिहराच्युत ।
वरेणैतावतालं नो यद् भवान् समदृश्यत ॥ ४ ॥
जितं ते देवदेवेश प्रपन्नार्तिहराच्युत ।
वरेणैतावतालं नो यद् भवान् समदृश्यत ॥ ४ ॥
Verse text
śrī-ṛṣir uvāca
jitaṁ te deva-deveśa
prapannārti-harācyuta
vareṇaitāvatālaṁ no
yad bhavān samadṛśyata
jitaṁ te deva-deveśa
prapannārti-harācyuta
vareṇaitāvatālaṁ no
yad bhavān samadṛśyata
Synonyms
śrī-ṛṣiḥ uvāca — the sage said; jitam — are victorious; te — You; deva-deva-īśa — O Lord of lords; prapanna — of one who is surrendered; ārti-hara — O remover of all distress; acyuta — O infallible one; vareṇa — with the benediction; etāvatā — this much; alam — enough; naḥ — by us; yat — that; bhavān — Your good self; samadṛśyata — has been seen.
Translation
The sage said: O Lord of lords, all glories to You! O Lord Acyuta, You remove all distress for the devotees who surrender unto You. That you have allowed me to see You is all the benediction I want.
Devanagari
गृहीत्वाजादयो यस्य श्रीमत्पादाब्जदर्शनम् ।
मनसा योगपक्वेन स भवान् मेऽक्षिगोचर: ॥ ५ ॥
मनसा योगपक्वेन स भवान् मेऽक्षिगोचर: ॥ ५ ॥
Verse text
gṛhītvājādayo yasya
śrīmat-pādābja-darśanam
manasā yoga-pakvena
sa bhavān me ’kṣi-gocaraḥ
śrīmat-pādābja-darśanam
manasā yoga-pakvena
sa bhavān me ’kṣi-gocaraḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Such demigods as Lord Brahmā achieved their exalted positions simply by seeing Your beautiful lotus feet after their minds had become mature in yoga practice. And now, my Lord, You have personally appeared before me.
Purport
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi points out that exalted demigods like Lord Brahmā achieved their positions simply by glimpsing the Lord’s lotus feet, and yet Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi was now able to see Lord Kṛṣṇa’s entire body. Thus he could not even imagine the extent of his good fortune.
Devanagari
अथाप्यम्बुजपत्राक्ष पुण्यश्लोकशिखामणे ।
द्रक्ष्ये मायां यया लोक: सपालो वेद सद्भिदाम् ॥ ६ ॥
द्रक्ष्ये मायां यया लोक: सपालो वेद सद्भिदाम् ॥ ६ ॥
Verse text
athāpy ambuja-patrākṣa
puṇya-śloka-śikhāmaṇe
drakṣye māyāṁ yayā lokaḥ
sa-pālo veda sad-bhidām
puṇya-śloka-śikhāmaṇe
drakṣye māyāṁ yayā lokaḥ
sa-pālo veda sad-bhidām
Synonyms
atha api — nonetheless; ambuja-patra — like the petals of a lotus; akṣa — O You whose eyes; puṇya-śloka — of famous personalities; śikhāmaṇe — O crest jewel; drakṣye — I desire to see; māyām — the illusory energy; yayā — by which; lokaḥ — the entire world; sa-pālaḥ — along with its ruling demigods; veda — considers; sat — of the absolute reality; bhidām — material differentiation.
Translation
O lotus-eyed Lord, O crest jewel of renowned personalities, although I am satisfied simply by seeing You, I do wish to see Your illusory potency, by whose influence the entire world, together with its ruling demigods, considers reality to be materially variegated.
Purport
A conditioned soul sees the material world to be constituted of independent, separate entities. Actually, all things are united, being potencies of the Supreme Lord. Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi is curious to witness the exact process by which māyā, the Lord’s bewildering potency, casts living beings into illusion.
Devanagari
सूत उवाच
इतीडितोऽर्चित: काममृषिणा भगवान् मुने ।
तथेति स स्मयन् प्रागाद् बदर्याश्रममीश्वर: ॥ ७ ॥
इतीडितोऽर्चित: काममृषिणा भगवान् मुने ।
तथेति स स्मयन् प्रागाद् बदर्याश्रममीश्वर: ॥ ७ ॥
Verse text
sūta uvāca
itīḍito ’rcitaḥ kāmam
ṛṣiṇā bhagavān mune
tatheti sa smayan prāgād
badary-āśramam īśvaraḥ
itīḍito ’rcitaḥ kāmam
ṛṣiṇā bhagavān mune
tatheti sa smayan prāgād
badary-āśramam īśvaraḥ
Synonyms
sūtaḥ uvāca — Sūta Gosvāmī said; iti — in these words; īḍitaḥ — glorified; arcitaḥ — worshiped; kāmam — satisfactorily; ṛṣiṇā — by the sage Mārkaṇḍeya; bhagavān — the Personality of Godhead; mune — O wise Śaunaka; tathā iti — “so be it”; saḥ — He; smayan — smiling; prāgāt — departed; badarī-āśramam — for the hermitage Badarikāśrama; īśvaraḥ — the Supreme Lord.
Translation
Sūta Gosvāmī said: O wise Śaunaka, thus satisfied by Mārkaṇḍeya’s praise and worship, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, smiling, replied, “So be it,” and then departed for His hermitage at Badarikāśrama.
Purport
The words bhagavān and īśvara in this verse refer to the Supreme Lord in His incarnation as the twin sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa. According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, the Supreme Lord smiled ruefully, because He prefers that His pure devotees stay away from His illusory energy. Curiosity to see the illusory energy of the Lord sometimes develops into sinful material desire. Nonetheless, to please His devotee Mārkaṇḍeya, the Lord granted his request, just as a father who cannot convince his son to give up pursuing a harmful desire may let him experience some painful reaction so that he will then voluntarily desist. Thus, understanding what would soon happen to Mārkaṇḍeya, the Lord smiled as He prepared to display the illusory potency to him.
Devanagari
तमेव चिन्तयन्नर्थमृषि: स्वाश्रम एव स: ।
वसन्नग्न्यर्कसोमाम्बुभूवायुवियदात्मसु ॥ ८ ॥
ध्यायन् सर्वत्र च हरिं भावद्रव्यैरपूजयत् ।
क्वचित् पूजां विसस्मार प्रेमप्रसरसम्प्लुत: ॥ ९ ॥
वसन्नग्न्यर्कसोमाम्बुभूवायुवियदात्मसु ॥ ८ ॥
ध्यायन् सर्वत्र च हरिं भावद्रव्यैरपूजयत् ।
क्वचित् पूजां विसस्मार प्रेमप्रसरसम्प्लुत: ॥ ९ ॥
Verse text
tam eva cintayann artham
ṛṣiḥ svāśrama eva saḥ
vasann agny-arka-somāmbu-
bhū-vāyu-viyad-ātmasu
ṛṣiḥ svāśrama eva saḥ
vasann agny-arka-somāmbu-
bhū-vāyu-viyad-ātmasu
dhyāyan sarvatra ca hariṁ
bhāva-dravyair apūjayat
kvacit pūjāṁ visasmāra
prema-prasara-samplutaḥ
bhāva-dravyair apūjayat
kvacit pūjāṁ visasmāra
prema-prasara-samplutaḥ
Synonyms
tam — that; eva — indeed; cintayan — thinking of; artham — the goal; ṛṣiḥ — the sage Mārkaṇḍeya; sva-āśrame — at his own hermitage; eva — indeed; saḥ — he; vasan — remaining; agni — in the fire; arka — the sun; soma — the moon; ambu — the water; bhū — the earth; vāyu — the wind; viyat — the lightning; ātmasu — and in his own heart; dhyāyan — meditating; sarvatra — in all circumstances; ca — and; harim — upon Lord Hari; bhāva-dravyaiḥ — with paraphernalia conceived in his mind; apūjayat — he offered worship; kvacit — sometimes; pūjām — the worship; visasmāra — he forgot; prema — of pure love of God; prasara — in the flood; samplutaḥ — being drowned.
Translation
Thinking always of his desire to see the Lord’s illusory energy, the sage remained in his āśrama, meditating constantly upon the Lord within fire, the sun, the moon, water, the earth, air, lightning and his own heart and worshiping Him with paraphernalia conceived in his mind. But sometimes, overwhelmed by waves of love for the Lord, Mārkaṇḍeya would forget to perform his regular worship.
Purport
It is apparent from these verses that Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi was a great devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa; therefore he wanted to see the illusory energy of the Lord not to fulfill some material ambition but to learn how His potency is working.
Devanagari
तस्यैकदा भृगुश्रेष्ठ पुष्पभद्रातटे मुने: ।
उपासीनस्य सन्ध्यायां ब्रह्मन् वायुरभून्महान् ॥ १० ॥
उपासीनस्य सन्ध्यायां ब्रह्मन् वायुरभून्महान् ॥ १० ॥
Verse text
tasyaikadā bhṛgu-śreṣṭha
puṣpabhadrā-taṭe muneḥ
upāsīnasya sandhyāyāṁ
brahman vāyur abhūn mahān
puṣpabhadrā-taṭe muneḥ
upāsīnasya sandhyāyāṁ
brahman vāyur abhūn mahān
Synonyms
tasya — while he; ekadā — one day; bhṛgu-śreṣṭha — O best of the descendants of Bhṛgu; puṣpabhadrā-taṭe — on the bank of the river Puṣpabhadrā; muneḥ — the sage; upāsīnasya — was performing worship; sandhyāyām — at the juncture of the day; brahman — O brāhmaṇa; vāyuḥ — a wind; abhūt — arose; mahān — great.
Translation
O brāhmaṇa Śaunaka, best of the Bhṛgus, one day while Mārkaṇḍeya was performing his evening worship on the bank of the Puṣpabhadrā, a great wind suddenly arose.
Devanagari
तं चण्डशब्दं समुदीरयन्तं
बलाहका अन्वभवन् कराला: ।
अक्षस्थविष्ठा मुमुचुस्तडिद्भि:
स्वनन्त उच्चैरभिवर्षधारा: ॥ ११ ॥
बलाहका अन्वभवन् कराला: ।
अक्षस्थविष्ठा मुमुचुस्तडिद्भि:
स्वनन्त उच्चैरभिवर्षधारा: ॥ ११ ॥
Verse text
taṁ caṇḍa-śabdaṁ samudīrayantaṁ
balāhakā anv abhavan karālāḥ
akṣa-sthaviṣṭhā mumucus taḍidbhiḥ
svananta uccair abhi varṣa-dhārāḥ
balāhakā anv abhavan karālāḥ
akṣa-sthaviṣṭhā mumucus taḍidbhiḥ
svananta uccair abhi varṣa-dhārāḥ
Synonyms
tam — that wind; caṇḍa-śabdam — a terrible sound; samudīrayantam — which was creating; balāhakāḥ — clouds; anu — following it; abhavan — appeared; karālāḥ — fearful; akṣa — like wagon wheels; sthaviṣṭhāḥ — solid; mumucuḥ — they released; taḍidbhiḥ — along with lightning; svanantaḥ — resounding; uccaiḥ — greatly; abhi — in all directions; varṣa — of rain; dhārāḥ — torrents.
Translation
That wind created a terrible sound and brought in its wake fearsome clouds that were accompanied by lightning and roaring thunder and that poured down on all sides torrents of rain as heavy as wagon wheels.
Devanagari
ततो व्यदृश्यन्त चतु:समुद्रा:
समन्तत: क्ष्मातलमाग्रसन्त: ।
समीरवेगोर्मिभिरुग्रनक्र-
महाभयावर्तगभीरघोषा: ॥ १२ ॥
समन्तत: क्ष्मातलमाग्रसन्त: ।
समीरवेगोर्मिभिरुग्रनक्र-
महाभयावर्तगभीरघोषा: ॥ १२ ॥
Verse text
tato vyadṛśyanta catuḥ samudrāḥ
samantataḥ kṣmā-talam āgrasantaḥ
samīra-vegormibhir ugra-nakra-
mahā-bhayāvarta-gabhīra-ghoṣāḥ
samantataḥ kṣmā-talam āgrasantaḥ
samīra-vegormibhir ugra-nakra-
mahā-bhayāvarta-gabhīra-ghoṣāḥ
Synonyms
tataḥ — then; vyadṛśyanta — appeared; catuḥ samudrāḥ — the four oceans; samantataḥ — on all sides; kṣmā-talam — the surface of the earth; āgrasantaḥ — swallowing up; samīra — of the wind; vega — impelled by the force; ūrmibhiḥ — with their waves; ugra — terrible; nakra — with sea monsters; mahā-bhaya — very fearful; āvarta — with whirlpools; gabhīra — grave; ghoṣāḥ — with sounds.
Translation
Then the four great oceans appeared on all sides, swallowing up the surface of the earth with their wind-tossed waves. In these oceans were terrible sea monsters, fearful whirlpools and ominous rumblings.
Devanagari
अन्तर्बहिश्चाद्भिरतिद्युभि: खरै:
शतह्रदाभिरुपतापितं जगत् ।
चतुर्विधं वीक्ष्य सहात्मना मुनि-
र्जलाप्लुतां क्ष्मां विमना: समत्रसत् ॥ १३ ॥
शतह्रदाभिरुपतापितं जगत् ।
चतुर्विधं वीक्ष्य सहात्मना मुनि-
र्जलाप्लुतां क्ष्मां विमना: समत्रसत् ॥ १३ ॥
Verse text
antar bahiś cādbhir ati-dyubhiḥ kharaiḥ
śatahradābhir upatāpitaṁ jagat
catur-vidhaṁ vīkṣya sahātmanā munir
jalāplutāṁ kṣmāṁ vimanāḥ samatrasat
śatahradābhir upatāpitaṁ jagat
catur-vidhaṁ vīkṣya sahātmanā munir
jalāplutāṁ kṣmāṁ vimanāḥ samatrasat
Synonyms
antaḥ — internally; bahiḥ — externally; ca — and; adbhiḥ — by the water; ati-dyubhiḥ — rising higher than the sky; kharaiḥ — by the fierce (winds); śata-hradābhiḥ — by lightning bolts; upatāpitam — greatly distressed; jagat — all the inhabitants of the universe; catuḥ-vidham — of four varieties (those who have taken birth from embryos, from eggs, from seeds and from perspiration); vīkṣya — seeing; saha — along with; ātmanā — himself; muniḥ — the sage; jala — by the water; āplutām — flooded; kṣmām — the earth; vimanāḥ — perplexed; samatrasat — he became fearful.
Translation
The sage saw all the inhabitants of the universe, including himself, tormented within and without by the harsh winds, the bolts of lightning, and the great waves rising beyond the sky. As the whole earth flooded, he grew perplexed and fearful.
Purport
Here the word catur-vidham refers to the four sources of birth for conditioned souls: embryos, eggs, seeds and perspiration.
Devanagari
तस्यैवमुद्वीक्षत ऊर्मिभीषण:
प्रभञ्जनाघूर्णितवार्महार्णव: ।
आपूर्यमाणो वरषद्भिरम्बुदै:
क्ष्मामप्यधाद् द्वीपवर्षाद्रिभि: समम् ॥ १४ ॥
प्रभञ्जनाघूर्णितवार्महार्णव: ।
आपूर्यमाणो वरषद्भिरम्बुदै:
क्ष्मामप्यधाद् द्वीपवर्षाद्रिभि: समम् ॥ १४ ॥
Verse text
tasyaivam udvīkṣata ūrmi-bhīṣaṇaḥ
prabhañjanāghūrṇita-vār mahārṇavaḥ
āpūryamāṇo varaṣadbhir ambudaiḥ
kṣmām apyadhād dvīpa-varṣādribhiḥ samam
prabhañjanāghūrṇita-vār mahārṇavaḥ
āpūryamāṇo varaṣadbhir ambudaiḥ
kṣmām apyadhād dvīpa-varṣādribhiḥ samam
Synonyms
tasya — while he; evam — in this way; udvīkṣataḥ — was looking on; ūrmi — with its waves; bhīṣaṇaḥ — frightening; prabhañjana — by hurricane winds; āghūrṇita — swirled around; vāḥ — its water; mahā-arṇavaḥ — the great ocean; āpūryamānaḥ — becoming filled; varaṣadbhiḥ — with rain; ambu-daiḥ — by the clouds; kṣmām — the earth; apyadhāt — covered over; dvīpa — with its islands; varṣa — continents; adribhiḥ — and mountains; samam — together.
Translation
Even as Mārkaṇḍeya looked on, the rain pouring down from the clouds filled the ocean more and more until that great sea, its waters violently whipped into terrifying waves by hurricanes, covered up all the earth’s islands, mountains and continents.
Devanagari
सक्ष्मान्तरिक्षं सदिवं सभागणं
त्रैलोक्यमासीत् सह दिग्भिराप्लुतम् ।
स एक एवोर्वरितो महामुनि-
र्बभ्राम विक्षिप्य जटा जडान्धवत् ॥ १५ ॥
त्रैलोक्यमासीत् सह दिग्भिराप्लुतम् ।
स एक एवोर्वरितो महामुनि-
र्बभ्राम विक्षिप्य जटा जडान्धवत् ॥ १५ ॥
Verse text
sa-kṣmāntarikṣaṁ sa-divaṁ sa-bhā-gaṇaṁ
trai-lokyam āsīt saha digbhir āplutam
sa eka evorvarito mahā-munir
babhrāma vikṣipya jaṭā jaḍāndha-vat
trai-lokyam āsīt saha digbhir āplutam
sa eka evorvarito mahā-munir
babhrāma vikṣipya jaṭā jaḍāndha-vat
Synonyms
sa — along with; kṣmā — the earth; antarikṣam — and outer space; sa-divam — along with the heavenly planets; sa-bhā-gaṇam — along with all the celestial bodies; trai-lokyam — the three worlds; āsīt — became; saha — along with; digbhiḥ — all the directions; āplutam — flooded; saḥ — he; ekaḥ — alone; eva — indeed; urvaritaḥ — remaining; mahā-muniḥ — the great sage; babhrāma — wandered about; vikṣipya — scattering; jaṭāḥ — his matted locks; jaḍa — a dumb person; andha — a blind person; vat — like.
Translation
The water inundated the earth, outer space, heaven and the celestial region. Indeed, the entire expanse of the universe was flooded in all directions, and out of all its inhabitants only Mārkaṇḍeya remained. His matted hair scattered, the great sage wandered about alone in the water as if dumb and blind.
Devanagari
क्षुत्तृट्परीतो मकरैस्तिमिङ्गिलै-
रुपद्रुतो वीचिनभस्वता हत: ।
तमस्यपारे पतितो भ्रमन् दिशो
न वेद खं गां च परिश्रमेषित: ॥ १६ ॥
रुपद्रुतो वीचिनभस्वता हत: ।
तमस्यपारे पतितो भ्रमन् दिशो
न वेद खं गां च परिश्रमेषित: ॥ १६ ॥
Verse text
kṣut-tṛṭ-parīto makarais timiṅgilair
upadruto vīci-nabhasvatāhataḥ
tamasy apāre patito bhraman diśo
na veda khaṁ gāṁ ca pariśrameṣitaḥ
upadruto vīci-nabhasvatāhataḥ
tamasy apāre patito bhraman diśo
na veda khaṁ gāṁ ca pariśrameṣitaḥ
Synonyms
kṣut — by hunger; tṛṭ — and thirst; parītaḥ — enveloped; makaraiḥ — by the makaras, a species of monster crocodile; timiṅgilaiḥ — and by the timiṅgila, a variety of huge fish that eats whales; upadrutaḥ — harassed; vīci — by the waves; nabhasvatā — and the wind; āhataḥ — tormented; tamasi — in the darkness; apāre — which was unlimited; patitaḥ — having fallen; bhraman — wandering; diśaḥ — the directions; na veda — did not recognize; kham — the sky; gām — the earth; ca — and; pariśrama-iṣitaḥ — overcome by exhaustion.
Translation
Tormented by hunger and thirst, attacked by monstrous makaras and timiṅgila fish and battered by the wind and waves, he moved aimlessly through the infinite darkness into which he had fallen. As he grew increasingly exhausted, he lost all sense of direction and could not tell the sky from the earth.
Devanagari
क्वचिन्मग्नो महावर्ते तरलैस्ताडित: क्वचित् ।
यादोभिर्भक्ष्यते क्वापि स्वयमन्योन्यघातिभि: ॥ १७ ॥
क्वचिच्छोकं क्वचिन्मोहं क्वचिद्दु:खं सुखं भयम् ।
क्वचिन्मृत्युमवाप्नोति व्याध्यादिभिरुतार्दित: ॥ १८ ॥
यादोभिर्भक्ष्यते क्वापि स्वयमन्योन्यघातिभि: ॥ १७ ॥
क्वचिच्छोकं क्वचिन्मोहं क्वचिद्दु:खं सुखं भयम् ।
क्वचिन्मृत्युमवाप्नोति व्याध्यादिभिरुतार्दित: ॥ १८ ॥
Verse text
kracin magno mahāvarte
taralais tāḍitaḥ kvacit
yādobhir bhakṣyate kvāpi
svayam anyonya-ghātibhiḥ
taralais tāḍitaḥ kvacit
yādobhir bhakṣyate kvāpi
svayam anyonya-ghātibhiḥ
kvacic chokaṁ kvacin mohaṁ
kvacid duḥkhaṁ sukhaṁ bhayam
kvacin mṛtyum avāpnoti
vyādhy-ādibhir utārditaḥ
kvacid duḥkhaṁ sukhaṁ bhayam
kvacin mṛtyum avāpnoti
vyādhy-ādibhir utārditaḥ
Synonyms
kvacit — sometimes; magnaḥ — drowning; mahā-āvarte — in a great whirlpool; taralaiḥ — by the waves; tāḍitaḥ — beaten; kvacit — sometimes; yādobhiḥ — by the aquatic monsters; bhakṣyate — he was threatened with being eaten; kva api — sometimes; svayam — himself; anyonya — each other; ghātibhiḥ — attacking; kvacit — sometimes; śokam — depression; kvacit — sometimes; moham — bewilderment; kvacit — sometimes; duḥkham — misery; sukham — happiness; bhayam — fear; kvacit — sometimes; mṛtyum — death; avāpnoti — he experienced; vyādhi — by disease; ādibhiḥ — and other pains; uta — also; arditaḥ — distressed.
Translation
At times he was engulfed by the great whirlpools, sometimes he was beaten by the mighty waves, and at other times the aquatic monsters threatened to devour him as they attacked one another. Sometimes he felt lamentation, bewilderment, misery, happiness or fear, and at other times he experienced such terrible illness and pain that he felt himself dying.
Devanagari
अयुतायुतवर्षाणां सहस्राणि शतानि च ।
व्यतीयुर्भ्रमतस्तस्मिन् विष्णुमायावृतात्मन: ॥ १९ ॥
व्यतीयुर्भ्रमतस्तस्मिन् विष्णुमायावृतात्मन: ॥ १९ ॥
Verse text
ayutāyuta-varṣāṇāṁ
sahasrāṇi śatāni ca
vyatīyur bhramatas tasmin
viṣṇu-māyāvṛtātmanaḥ
sahasrāṇi śatāni ca
vyatīyur bhramatas tasmin
viṣṇu-māyāvṛtātmanaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Countless millions of years passed as Mārkaṇḍeya wandered about in that deluge, his mind bewildered by the illusory energy of Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Devanagari
स कदाचिद् भ्रमंस्तस्मिन् पृथिव्या: ककुदि द्विज: ।
न्याग्रोधपोतं ददृशे फलपल्लवशोभितम् ॥ २० ॥
न्याग्रोधपोतं ददृशे फलपल्लवशोभितम् ॥ २० ॥
Verse text
sa kadācid bhramaṁs tasmin
pṛthivyāḥ kakudi dvijaḥ
nyāgrodha-potaṁ dadṛśe
phala-pallava-śobhitam
pṛthivyāḥ kakudi dvijaḥ
nyāgrodha-potaṁ dadṛśe
phala-pallava-śobhitam
Synonyms
Translation
Once, while wandering in the water, the brāhmaṇa Mārkaṇḍeya discovered a small island, upon which stood a young banyan tree bearing blossoms and fruits.
Devanagari
प्रागुत्तरस्यां शाखायां तस्यापि ददृशे शिशुम् ।
शयानं पर्णपुटके ग्रसन्तं प्रभया तम: ॥ २१ ॥
शयानं पर्णपुटके ग्रसन्तं प्रभया तम: ॥ २१ ॥
Verse text
prāg-uttarasyāṁ śākhāyāṁ
tasyāpi dadṛśe śiśum
śayānaṁ parṇa-puṭake
grasantaṁ prabhayā tamaḥ
tasyāpi dadṛśe śiśum
śayānaṁ parṇa-puṭake
grasantaṁ prabhayā tamaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Upon a branch of the northeast portion of that tree he saw an infant boy lying within a leaf. The child’s effulgence was swallowing up the darkness.
Devanagari
महामरकतश्यामं श्रीमद्वदनपङ्कजम् ।
कम्बुग्रीवं महोरस्कं सुनसं सुन्दरभ्रुवम् ॥ २२ ॥
श्वासैजदलकाभातं कम्बुश्रीकर्णदाडिमम् ।
विद्रुमाधरभासेषच्छोणायितसुधास्मितम् ॥ २३ ॥
पद्मगर्भारुणापाङ्गं हृद्यहासावलोकनम् ।
श्वासैजद्वलिसंविग्ननिम्ननाभिदलोदरम् ॥ २४ ॥
चार्वङ्गुलिभ्यां पाणिभ्यामुन्नीय चरणाम्बुजम् ।
मुखे निधाय विप्रेन्द्रो धयन्तं वीक्ष्य विस्मित: ॥ २५ ॥
कम्बुग्रीवं महोरस्कं सुनसं सुन्दरभ्रुवम् ॥ २२ ॥
श्वासैजदलकाभातं कम्बुश्रीकर्णदाडिमम् ।
विद्रुमाधरभासेषच्छोणायितसुधास्मितम् ॥ २३ ॥
पद्मगर्भारुणापाङ्गं हृद्यहासावलोकनम् ।
श्वासैजद्वलिसंविग्ननिम्ननाभिदलोदरम् ॥ २४ ॥
चार्वङ्गुलिभ्यां पाणिभ्यामुन्नीय चरणाम्बुजम् ।
मुखे निधाय विप्रेन्द्रो धयन्तं वीक्ष्य विस्मित: ॥ २५ ॥
Verse text
mahā-marakata-śyāmaṁ
śrīmad-vadana-paṅkajam
kambu-grīvaṁ mahoraskaṁ
su-nasaṁ sundara-bhruvam
śrīmad-vadana-paṅkajam
kambu-grīvaṁ mahoraskaṁ
su-nasaṁ sundara-bhruvam
śvāsaijad-alakābhātaṁ
kambu-śrī-karṇa-dāḍimam
vidrumādhara-bhāseṣac-
choṇāyita-sudhā-smitam
kambu-śrī-karṇa-dāḍimam
vidrumādhara-bhāseṣac-
choṇāyita-sudhā-smitam
padma-garbhāruṇāpāṅgaṁ
hṛdya-hāsāvalokanam
śvāsaijad-vali-saṁvigna-
nimna-nābhi-dalodaram
hṛdya-hāsāvalokanam
śvāsaijad-vali-saṁvigna-
nimna-nābhi-dalodaram
cārv-aṅgulibhyāṁ pāṇibhyām
unnīya caraṇāmbujam
mukhe nidhāya viprendro
dhayantaṁ vīkṣya vismitaḥ
unnīya caraṇāmbujam
mukhe nidhāya viprendro
dhayantaṁ vīkṣya vismitaḥ
Synonyms
mahā-marakata — like a great emerald; śyāmam — dark blue; śrīmat — beautiful; vadana-paṅkajam — whose lotus face; kambu — like a conchshell; grīvam — whose throat; mahā — broad; uraskam — whose chest; su-nasam — having a beautiful nose; sundara-bhruvam — having beautiful eyebrows; śvāsa — by His breath; ejat — trembling; alaka — with the hair; ābhātam — splendid; kambu — like a conchshell; śrī — beautiful; karṇa — His ears; dāḍimam — resembling pomegranate flowers; vidruma — like coral; adhara — of His lips; bhāsā — by the effulgence; īṣat — slightly; śoṇāyita — reddened; sudhā — nectarean; smitam — His smile; padma-garbha — like the whorl of a lotus; aruṇa — reddish; apāṅgam — the corners of His eyes; hṛdya — charming; hāsa — with a smile; avalokanam — His countenance; śvāsa — by His breath; ejat — made to move; vali — by the lines; saṁvigna — contorted; nimna — deep; nābhi — with His navel; dala — like a leaf; udaram — whose abdomen; cāru — attractive; aṅgulibhyām — having fingers; pāṇibhyām — by His two hands; unnīya — picking up; caraṇa-ambujam — His lotus foot; mukhe — in His mouth; nidhāya — placing; vipra-indraḥ — the best of brāhmaṇas, Mārkaṇḍeya; dhayantam — drinking; vīkṣya — seeing; vismitaḥ — was amazed.
Translation
The infant’s dark-blue complexion was the color of a flawless emerald, His lotus face shone with a wealth of beauty, and His throat bore marks like the lines on a conchshell. He had a broad chest, a finely shaped nose, beautiful eyebrows, and lovely ears that resembled pomegranate flowers and that had inner folds like a conchshell’s spirals. The corners of His eyes were reddish like the whorl of a lotus, and the effulgence of His corallike lips slightly reddened the nectarean, enchanting smile on His face. As He breathed, His splendid hair trembled and His deep navel became distorted by the moving folds of skin on His abdomen, which resembled a banyan leaf. The exalted brāhmaṇa watched with amazement as the infant took hold of one of His lotus feet with His graceful fingers, placed a toe within His mouth and began to suck.
Purport
The young child was the Supreme Personality of Godhead. According to Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, Lord Kṛṣṇa wondered, “So many devotees are hankering for the nectar of My lotus feet. Therefore let Me personally experience that nectar.” Thus the Lord, playing like an ordinary baby, began to suck on His toes.
Devanagari
तद्दर्शनाद् वीतपरिश्रमो मुदा
प्रोत्फुल्लहृत्पद्मविलोचनाम्बुज: ।
प्रहृष्टरोमाद्भुतभावशङ्कित:
प्रष्टुं पुरस्तं प्रससार बालकम् ॥ २६ ॥
प्रोत्फुल्लहृत्पद्मविलोचनाम्बुज: ।
प्रहृष्टरोमाद्भुतभावशङ्कित:
प्रष्टुं पुरस्तं प्रससार बालकम् ॥ २६ ॥
Verse text
tad-darśanād vīta-pariśramo mudā
protphulla-hṛt-padma-vilocanāmbujaḥ
prahṛṣṭa-romādbhuta-bhāva-śaṅkitaḥ
praṣṭuṁ puras taṁ prasasāra bālakam
protphulla-hṛt-padma-vilocanāmbujaḥ
prahṛṣṭa-romādbhuta-bhāva-śaṅkitaḥ
praṣṭuṁ puras taṁ prasasāra bālakam
Synonyms
tat-darśanāt — by seeing the child; vīta — dispelled; pariśramaḥ — his weariness; mudā — out of pleasure; protphulla — expanded wide; hṛt-padma — the lotus of his heart; vilocana-ambujaḥ — and his lotus eyes; prahṛṣṭa — standing on end; romā — the hairs on his body; adbhuta-bhāva — about the identity of this wonderful form; śaṅkitaḥ — confused; praṣṭum — in order to inquire; puraḥ — in front; tam — of Him; prasasāra — he approached; bālakam — the child.
Translation
As Mārkaṇḍeya beheld the child, all his weariness vanished. Indeed, so great was his pleasure that the lotus of his heart, along with his lotus eyes, fully blossomed and the hairs on his body stood on end. Confused as to the identity of the wonderful infant, the sage approached Him.
Purport
Mārkaṇḍeya wanted to ask the child about His identity and therefore approached Him.
Devanagari
तावच्छिशोर्वै श्वसितेन भार्गव:
सोऽन्त: शरीरं मशको यथाविशत् ।
तत्राप्यदो न्यस्तमचष्ट कृत्स्नशो
यथा पुरामुह्यदतीव विस्मित: ॥ २७ ॥
सोऽन्त: शरीरं मशको यथाविशत् ।
तत्राप्यदो न्यस्तमचष्ट कृत्स्नशो
यथा पुरामुह्यदतीव विस्मित: ॥ २७ ॥
Verse text
tāvac chiśor vai śvasitena bhārgavaḥ
so ’ntaḥ śarīraṁ maśako yathāviśat
tatrāpy ado nyastam acaṣṭa kṛtsnaśo
yathā purāmuhyad atīva vismitaḥ
so ’ntaḥ śarīraṁ maśako yathāviśat
tatrāpy ado nyastam acaṣṭa kṛtsnaśo
yathā purāmuhyad atīva vismitaḥ
Synonyms
tāvat — at that very moment; śiśoḥ — of the infant; vai — indeed; śvasitena — with the breathing; bhārgavaḥ — the descendant of Bhṛgu; saḥ — he; antaḥ śarīram — within the body; maśakaḥ — a mosquito; yathā — just like; aviśat — entered; tatra — therein; api — indeed; adaḥ — this universe; nyastam — placed; acaṣṭa — he saw; kṛtsnaśaḥ — entire; yathā — as; purā — previously; amuhyat — he became bewildered; atīva — extremely; vismitaḥ — surprised.
Translation
Just then the child inhaled, drawing Mārkaṇḍeya within His body like a mosquito. There the sage found the entire universe arrayed as it had been before its dissolution. Seeing this, Mārkaṇḍeya was most astonished and perplexed.
Devanagari
खं रोदसी भागणानद्रिसागरान्
द्वीपान् सवर्षान् ककुभ: सुरासुरान् ।
वनानि देशान् सरित: पुराकरान्
खेटान् व्रजानाश्रमवर्णवृत्तय: ॥ २८ ॥
महान्ति भूतान्यथ भौतिकान्यसौ
कालं च नानायुगकल्पकल्पनम् ।
यत् किञ्चिदन्यद् व्यवहारकारणं
ददर्श विश्वं सदिवावभासितम् ॥ २९ ॥
द्वीपान् सवर्षान् ककुभ: सुरासुरान् ।
वनानि देशान् सरित: पुराकरान्
खेटान् व्रजानाश्रमवर्णवृत्तय: ॥ २८ ॥
महान्ति भूतान्यथ भौतिकान्यसौ
कालं च नानायुगकल्पकल्पनम् ।
यत् किञ्चिदन्यद् व्यवहारकारणं
ददर्श विश्वं सदिवावभासितम् ॥ २९ ॥
Verse text
khaṁ rodasī bhā-gaṇān adri-sāgarān
dvīpān sa-varṣān kakubhaḥ surāsurān
vanāni deśān saritaḥ purākarān
kheṭān vrajān āśrama-varṇa-vṛttayaḥ
dvīpān sa-varṣān kakubhaḥ surāsurān
vanāni deśān saritaḥ purākarān
kheṭān vrajān āśrama-varṇa-vṛttayaḥ
mahānti bhūtāny atha bhautikāny asau
kālaṁ ca nānā-yuga-kalpa-kalpanam
yat kiñcid anyad vyavahāra-kāraṇaṁ
dadarśa viśvaṁ sad ivāvabhāsitam
kālaṁ ca nānā-yuga-kalpa-kalpanam
yat kiñcid anyad vyavahāra-kāraṇaṁ
dadarśa viśvaṁ sad ivāvabhāsitam
Synonyms
kham — the sky; rodasī — the heavens and earth; bhā-gaṇān — all the stars; adri — the mountains; sāgarān — and oceans; dvīpān — the great islands; sa-varṣān — along with the continents; kakubhaḥ — the directions; sura-asurān — the saintly devotees and the demons; vanāni — the forests; deśān — the various countries; saritaḥ — the rivers; pura — the cities; ākarān — and the mines; kheṭān — the agricultural villages; vrajān — the cow pastures; āśrama-varṇa — of the various spiritual and occupational divisions of society; vṛttayaḥ — the engagements; mahānti bhūtāni — the basic elements of nature; atha — and; bhautikāni — all their gross manifestations; asau — he; kālam — time; ca — also; nānā-yuga-kalpa — of the different millennia and the days of Brahmā; kalpanam — the regulating agent; yat kiñcit — whatever; anyat — other; vyavahāra-kāraṇam — object intended for use in material life; dadarśa — he saw; viśvam — the universe; sat — real; iva — as if; avabhāsitam — manifest.
Translation
The sage saw the entire universe: the sky, heavens and earth, the stars, mountains, oceans, great islands and continents, the expanses in every direction, the saintly and demoniac living beings, the forests, countries, rivers, cities and mines, the agricultural villages and cow pastures, and the occupational and spiritual activities of the various social divisions. He also saw the basic elements of creation along with all their by-products, as well as time itself, which regulates the progression of countless ages within the days of Brahmā. In addition, he saw everything else created for use in material life. All this he saw manifested before him as if it were real.
Devanagari
हिमालयं पुष्पवहां च तां नदीं
निजाश्रमं यत्र ऋषी अपश्यत ।
विश्वं विपश्यञ्छ्वसिताच्छिशोर्वै
बहिर्निरस्तो न्यपतल्लयाब्धौ ॥ ३० ॥
निजाश्रमं यत्र ऋषी अपश्यत ।
विश्वं विपश्यञ्छ्वसिताच्छिशोर्वै
बहिर्निरस्तो न्यपतल्लयाब्धौ ॥ ३० ॥
Verse text
himālayaṁ puṣpavahāṁ ca tāṁ nadīṁ
nijāśramaṁ yatra ṛṣī apaśyata
viśvaṁ vipaśyañ chvasitāc chiśor vai
bahir nirasto nyapatal layābdhau
nijāśramaṁ yatra ṛṣī apaśyata
viśvaṁ vipaśyañ chvasitāc chiśor vai
bahir nirasto nyapatal layābdhau
Synonyms
himālayam — the Himālaya Mountains; puṣpa-vahām — Puṣpabhadrā; ca — and; tām — that; nadīm — river; nija-āśramam — his own hermitage; yatra — where; ṛṣī — the two sages, Nara-Nārāyaṇa; apaśyata — he saw; viśvam — the universe; vipaśyan — while observing; śvasitāt — by the breath; śiśoḥ — of the infant; vai — indeed; bahiḥ — outside; nirastaḥ — expelled; nyapatat — he fell; laya-abdhau — into the ocean of dissolution.
Translation
He saw before him the Himālaya Mountains, the Puṣpabhadrā River, and his own hermitage, where he had had the audience of the sages Nara-Nārāyaṇa. Then, as Mārkaṇḍeya beheld the entire universe, the infant exhaled, expelling the sage from His body and casting him back into the ocean of dissolution.
Devanagari
तस्मिन् पृथिव्या: ककुदि प्ररूढं
वटं च तत्पर्णपुटे शयानम् ।
तोकं च तत्प्रेमसुधास्मितेन
निरीक्षितोऽपाङ्गनिरीक्षणेन ॥ ३१ ॥
अथ तं बालकं वीक्ष्य नेत्राभ्यां धिष्ठितं हृदि ।
अभ्ययादतिसङ्क्लिष्ट: परिष्वक्तुमधोक्षजम् ॥ ३२ ॥
वटं च तत्पर्णपुटे शयानम् ।
तोकं च तत्प्रेमसुधास्मितेन
निरीक्षितोऽपाङ्गनिरीक्षणेन ॥ ३१ ॥
अथ तं बालकं वीक्ष्य नेत्राभ्यां धिष्ठितं हृदि ।
अभ्ययादतिसङ्क्लिष्ट: परिष्वक्तुमधोक्षजम् ॥ ३२ ॥
Verse text
tasmin pṛthivyāḥ kakudi prarūḍhaṁ
vaṭaṁ ca tat-parṇa-puṭe śayānam
tokaṁ ca tat-prema-sudhā-smitena
nirīkṣito ’pāṅga-nirīkṣaṇena
vaṭaṁ ca tat-parṇa-puṭe śayānam
tokaṁ ca tat-prema-sudhā-smitena
nirīkṣito ’pāṅga-nirīkṣaṇena
atha taṁ bālakaṁ vīkṣya
netrābhyāṁ dhiṣṭhitaṁ hṛdi
abhyayād ati-saṅkliṣṭaḥ
pariṣvaktum adhokṣajam
netrābhyāṁ dhiṣṭhitaṁ hṛdi
abhyayād ati-saṅkliṣṭaḥ
pariṣvaktum adhokṣajam
Synonyms
tasmin — in that water; pṛthivyāḥ — of land; kakudi — on the raised place; prarūḍham — growing up; vaṭam — the banyan tree; ca — and; tat — of it; parṇa-puṭe — within the slight depression of the leaf; śayānam — lying; tokam — the child; ca — and; tat — for himself; prema — of love; sudhā — like nectar; smitena — with a smile; nirīkṣitaḥ — being looked upon; apāṅga — of the corner of His eyes; nirīkṣaṇena — by the glance; atha — then; tam — that; bālakam — infant; vīkṣya — looking upon; netrābhyām — by his eyes; dhiṣṭhitam — placed; hṛdi — within his heart; abhyayāt — ran forward; ati-saṅkliṣṭaḥ — greatly agitated; pariṣvaktum — to embrace; adhokṣajam — the transcendental Supreme Lord.
Translation
In that vast sea he again saw the banyan tree growing on the tiny island and the infant boy lying within the leaf. The child glanced at him from the corner of His eyes with a smile imbued with the nectar of love, and Mārkaṇḍeya took Him into his heart through his eyes. Greatly agitated, the sage ran to embrace the transcendental Personality of Godhead.
Devanagari
तावत् स भगवान् साक्षाद् योगाधीशो गुहाशय: ।
अन्तर्दध ऋषे: सद्यो यथेहानीशनिर्मिता ॥ ३३ ॥
अन्तर्दध ऋषे: सद्यो यथेहानीशनिर्मिता ॥ ३३ ॥
Verse text
tāvat sa bhagavān sākṣād
yogādhīśo guhā-śayaḥ
antardadha ṛṣeḥ sadyo
yathehānīśa-nirmitā
yogādhīśo guhā-śayaḥ
antardadha ṛṣeḥ sadyo
yathehānīśa-nirmitā
Synonyms
tāvat — just then; saḥ — He; bhagavān — the Personality of Godhead; sākṣāt — directly; yoga-adhīśaḥ — the supreme master of yoga; guhā-śayaḥ — who is hidden within the heart of all living beings; antardadhe — disappeared; ṛṣeḥ — in front of the sage; sadyaḥ — suddenly; yathā — in the same way as; īhā — the object of endeavor; anīśa — by an incompetent person; nirmitā — created.
Translation
At that moment the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the original master of all mysticism and who is hidden within everyone’s heart, became invisible to the sage, just as the achievements of an incompetent person can suddenly vanish.
Devanagari
तमन्वथ वटो ब्रह्मन् सलिलं लोकसम्प्लव: ।
तिरोधायि क्षणादस्य स्वाश्रमे पूर्ववत्स्थित: ॥ ३४ ॥
तिरोधायि क्षणादस्य स्वाश्रमे पूर्ववत्स्थित: ॥ ३४ ॥
Verse text
tam anv atha vaṭo brahman
salilaṁ loka-samplavaḥ
tirodhāyi kṣaṇād asya
svāśrame pūrva-vat sthitaḥ
salilaṁ loka-samplavaḥ
tirodhāyi kṣaṇād asya
svāśrame pūrva-vat sthitaḥ
Synonyms
tam — Him; anu — following; atha — then; vaṭaḥ — the banyan tree; brahman — O brāhmaṇa, Śaunaka; salilam — the water; loka-samplavaḥ — the annihilation of the universe; tirodhāyi — they disappeared; kṣaṇāt — immediately; asya — in front of him; sva-āśrame — in his own hermitage; pūrva-vat — as previously; sthitaḥ — he was present.
Translation
After the Lord disappeared, O brāhmaṇa, the banyan tree, the great water and the dissolution of the universe all vanished as well, and in an instant Mārkaṇḍeya found himself back in his own hermitage, just as before.
Purport
Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda to the Twelfth Canto, Ninth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Sees the Illusory Potency of the Lord.”