Markandeya Purana — Chapter 3
MkP 3.1
अहन्यहनि विप्रेन्द्र स तेषां मुनिसत्तमः । चकाराहारपयसा तथा गुप्त्या च पोषणम्
ahanyahani viprendra sa teṣāṃ munisattamaḥ / cakārāhārapayasā tathā guptyā ca poṣaṇam
Day after day, O chief of brahmins, that best of sages nourished them with food and milk, and also with protection.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.2
मासमात्रेण जग्मुस्ते भानोः स्यन्दनवर्त्मनि । कौतूहलविलोलाक्षैर्दृष्टा मुनिकुमारकैः
māsamātreṇa jagmuste bhānoḥ syandanavartmani / kautūhalavilolākṣairdṛṣṭā munikumārakaiḥ
In only a month they went (in flight) to the track of the sun's chariot, watched by the sages' boys with eyes rolling in curiosity.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.3
दृष्ट्वा महीं सनगरां साम्भोनिधिसरिद्वराम् । रथचक्रप्रमाणां ते पुनराश्रममागताः
dṛṣṭvā mahīṃ sanagarāṃ sāmbhonidhisaridvarām / rathacakrapramāṇāṃ te punarāśramamāgatāḥ
Having seen the earth with its cities, with its oceans and great rivers, (small) as the measure of a chariot-wheel, they came back again to the hermitage.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.4
श्रमक्लान्तान्तरात्मानो महात्मानो वियोनिजाः । ज्ञानञ्च प्रकटीभूतं तत्र तेषां प्रभावतः
śramaklāntāntarātmāno mahātmāno viyonijāḥ / jñānañca prakaṭībhūtaṃ tatra teṣāṃ prabhāvataḥ
Their inner selves worn out with exhaustion, those great-souled ones born from no womb — and knowledge too became manifest in them there by his power.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.5
ऋषेः शिष्यानुकम्पार्थं वदतो धर्मनिश्चयम् । कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणं सर्वे चरणावभ्यवादयन्
ṛṣeḥ śiṣyānukampārthaṃ vadato dharmaniścayam / kṛtvā pradakṣiṇaṃ sarve caraṇāvabhyavādayan
While the seer, out of compassion for his pupils, was declaring the settled truth of dharma, they all circumambulated him and saluted his feet.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.6
ऊचुश्च मरणाद्घोरान्मोक्षिताः स्मस्त्वया मुने । आवास-भक्ष्य-पयसां त्वं नो दाता पिता गुरुः
ūcuśca maraṇādghorānmokṣitāḥ smastvayā mune / āvāsa-bhakṣya-payasāṃ tvaṃ no dātā pitā guruḥ
And they said: "We have been rescued by you, O sage, from a terrible death; you are the giver to us of dwelling, food and milk — our father and teacher.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.7
गर्भस्थानां मृता माता पित्रा नैवापि पालिताः । त्वया नो जीवितं दत्तं शिशवो येन रक्षिताः
garbhasthānāṃ mṛtā mātā pitrā naivāpi pālitāḥ / tvayā no jīvitaṃ dattaṃ śiśavo yena rakṣitāḥ
While we were in the egg our mother died, nor were we tended by our father; life was given to us by you, by whom we were protected as nestlings.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.8
क्षितावक्षततेजास्त्वं कृमीणामिव शुष्यताम् । गजघण्टां समुत्पाट्य कृतवान् दुः खरेचनम्
kṣitāvakṣatatejāstvaṃ kṛmīṇāmiva śuṣyatām / gajaghaṇṭāṃ samutpāṭya kṛtavān duḥ kharecanam
You, whose energy was unimpaired, (found us) on the ground like worms drying up; having torn loose the elephant-bell, you brought about the removal of (our) misery.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
MkP 3.9
कथं वर्धेयुरबलाः खस्थान् द्रक्ष्याम्यहं कदा । कदा भूमेर्द्रुमं प्राप्तान् द्रक्ष्ये वृक्षान्तरं गतान्
kathaṃ vardheyurabalāḥ khasthān drakṣyāmyahaṃ kadā / kadā bhūmerdrumaṃ prāptān drakṣye vṛkṣāntaraṃ gatān
"How shall these feeble ones grow? When shall I see them perched in the sky? When shall I see them, having reached a tree from the ground, passing on to another tree?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.10
कदा मे सहजा कान्तिः पांशुना नाशमेष्यति । एषां पक्षानिलोत्थेन मत्समीपविचारिणाम्
kadā me sahajā kāntiḥ pāṃśunā nāśameṣyati / eṣāṃ pakṣānilotthena matsamīpavicāriṇām
"When will my natural lustre be undone by the dust stirred up by the wind of the wings of these that move about near me?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.11
इति चिन्तयता तात भवता प्रतिपालिताः । ते साम्प्रतं प्रवृद्धाः स्मः प्रबुद्धाः करवाम किम्
iti cintayatā tāta bhavatā pratipālitāḥ / te sāmprataṃ pravṛddhāḥ smaḥ prabuddhāḥ karavāma kim
Thinking thus, dear sir, we were reared by you; now we have grown up and awakened — what shall we do?"
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.12
इत्यृषिर्वचनं तेषां श्रुत्वा संस्कारवत् स्फुटम् । शिष्यैः परिवृतः सर्वैः सह पुत्रेण शृङ्गिणा
ityṛṣirvacanaṃ teṣāṃ śrutvā saṃskāravat sphuṭam / śiṣyaiḥ parivṛtaḥ sarvaiḥ saha putreṇa śṛṅgiṇā
Having heard this speech of theirs, distinct and as if (formed by) cultivated training, the seer, surrounded by all his pupils together with his son Śṛṅgin,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.13
कौतूहलपरो भूत्वा रोमाञ्चपटसंवृतः । उवाच तत्त्वतो ब्रूत प्रवृत्तेः कारणं गिरः
kautūhalaparo bhūtvā romāñcapaṭasaṃvṛtaḥ / uvāca tattvato brūta pravṛtteḥ kāraṇaṃ giraḥ
becoming filled with curiosity, wrapped in the garment of his bristling hair, said: "Tell (me) truly the cause of the arising of (your) speech.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.14
कस्य शापादियं प्राप्ता भवद्भिर्विक्रिया परा । रूपस्य वचसश्चैव तन्मे वक्तुमीहार्हथ
kasya śāpādiyaṃ prāptā bhavadbhirvikriyā parā / rūpasya vacasaścaiva tanme vaktumīhārhatha
By whose curse has this extreme transformation, both of form and of speech, been incurred by you? That you should be willing to tell me."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.15
विपुलस्वानिति ख्यातः प्रागासीन्मुनिसत्तमः । तस्य पुत्रद्वयं जज्ञे सुकृषस्तुम्बुरुस्तथा
vipulasvāniti khyātaḥ prāgāsīnmunisattamaḥ / tasya putradvayaṃ jajñe sukṛṣastumburustathā
"Formerly there was a most excellent sage renowned as Vipulasvān; to him two sons were born, Sukṛṣa and Tumburu.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.16
सुकृषस्य वयं पुत्राश्चत्वारः संयतात्मनः । तस्यर्षेर्विनयाचारभक्तिनम्राः सदैव हि
sukṛṣasya vayaṃ putrāścatvāraḥ saṃyatātmanaḥ / tasyarṣervinayācārabhaktinamrāḥ sadaiva hi
We are the four sons of Sukṛṣa, a man of restrained self, and we were ever bowed down before that seer in modesty, good conduct and devotion.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.17
तपश्चरणसक्तस्य शास्यमानेन्द्रियस्य च । यथाभिमतमस्माभिस्तदा तस्योपपादितम्
tapaścaraṇasaktasya śāsyamānendriyasya ca / yathābhimatamasmābhistadā tasyopapāditam
For him, intent on the practice of austerity and with his senses under discipline, whatever he wished was then provided by us:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.18
समित्पुष्पादिकं सर्वं यच्चैवाभ्यवहारिकम् । एवं तत्राथ वसतां तस्यास्माकञ्च कानने
samitpuṣpādikaṃ sarvaṃ yaccaivābhyavahārikam / evaṃ tatrātha vasatāṃ tasyāsmākañca kānane
firewood, flowers and all the rest, and whatever was fit for eating. Now while he and we were dwelling thus there in the forest,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.19
आजगाम महावर्ष्मा भग्नपक्षो जरान्वितः । आताम्रनेत्रः स्त्रस्तात्मा पक्षी भूत्वा सुरेश्वरः
ājagāma mahāvarṣmā bhagnapakṣo jarānvitaḥ / ātāmranetraḥ strastātmā pakṣī bhūtvā sureśvaraḥ
there came one of huge bulk, with a broken wing, afflicted with age, his eyes reddish, his body slack — the lord of the gods, having become a bird,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.20
सत्य-शौच-क्षमाचारमतीवोदारमानसम् । जिज्ञासुस्तमृषिश्रेष्ठमस्मच्छापभवाय च
satya-śauca-kṣamācāramatīvodāramānasam / jijñāsustamṛṣiśreṣṭhamasmacchāpabhavāya ca
wishing to test that best of seers, whose conduct was truth, purity and patience and whose mind was exceedingly noble — and (this was) for the coming about of our curse.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.21
पक्ष्युवाच द्विजेन्द्र मां क्षुधाविष्टं परित्रातुमिहार्हसि । भक्षणार्थो महाभाग गतिर्भव ममातुला
pakṣyuvāca dvijendra māṃ kṣudhāviṣṭaṃ paritrātumihārhasi / bhakṣaṇārtho mahābhāga gatirbhava mamātulā
The bird said: "Best of brahmins, you ought here to save me, who am overcome by hunger; O greatly fortunate one, become my incomparable recourse, to serve as food.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.22
विन्ध्यस्य शिखरे तिष्ठन् पत्रिपत्रेरितेन वै । पतितो ऽस्मि महाभाग श्वसनेनातिरंहसा
vindhyasya śikhare tiṣṭhan patripatreritena vai / patito 'smi mahābhāga śvasanenātiraṃhasā
As I was perched on a peak of the Vindhya, O greatly fortunate one, I was thrown down by an exceedingly swift blast of wind stirred up by a bird's wing.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.23
सो ऽहं मोहसमाविष्टो भूमौ सप्ताहमस्मृतिः । स्थितस्तत्राष्टमेनाह्ना चेतनां प्राप्तवानहम्
so 'haṃ mohasamāviṣṭo bhūmau saptāhamasmṛtiḥ / sthitastatrāṣṭamenāhnā cetanāṃ prāptavānaham
So I, overcome by stupor, lay on the ground for seven days without consciousness; on the eighth day I there regained awareness.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.24
प्राप्तचेताः क्षुधाविष्टो भवन्तं शरणं गतः । भक्ष्यार्थो विगतानन्दो दूयमानेन चेतसा
prāptacetāḥ kṣudhāviṣṭo bhavantaṃ śaraṇaṃ gataḥ / bhakṣyārtho vigatānando dūyamānena cetasā
Having regained my senses, overcome by hunger, I have come to you for refuge, in search of food, my gladness gone, with a mind that is in pain.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.25
तत् कुरुष्वामलमते मत्त्राणायाचलां मतिम् । प्रयच्छ भक्ष्यं विप्रर्षे प्राणयात्राक्षमं मम
tat kuruṣvāmalamate mattrāṇāyācalāṃ matim / prayaccha bhakṣyaṃ viprarṣe prāṇayātrākṣamaṃ mama
Therefore, you of spotless mind, make your resolve unwavering for my rescue; grant me food, O seer among brahmins, sufficient to sustain my life.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.26
स एवमुक्तः प्रोवाच तमिन्द्रं पक्षिरूपिणम् । प्राणसन्धारणार्थाय दास्ये भक्ष्यं तवेप्सितम्
sa evamuktaḥ provāca tamindraṃ pakṣirūpiṇam / prāṇasandhāraṇārthāya dāsye bhakṣyaṃ tavepsitam
Thus addressed, he said to that Indra in the form of a bird: "For the sake of maintaining your life I shall give you the food you desire."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.27
इत्युक्त्वा पुनरप्येनमपृच्छत् स द्विजोत्तमः । आहारः कस्तवार्थाय उपकल्प्यो भवेन्मया । स चाह नरमांसेन तृप्तिर्भवति मे परा
ityuktvā punarapyenamapṛcchat sa dvijottamaḥ / āhāraḥ kastavārthāya upakalpyo bhavenmayā / sa cāha naramāṃsena tṛptirbhavati me parā
Having said this, that best of the twice-born asked him again: "What food should be prepared by me for your sake?" And he replied: "With human flesh I attain the highest satisfaction."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.28
कौमारं ते व्यतिक्रान्तमतीतं यौवनञ्च ते । वयसः परिणामस्ते वर्तते नूनमण्डज
kaumāraṃ te vyatikrāntamatītaṃ yauvanañca te / vayasaḥ pariṇāmaste vartate nūnamaṇḍaja
"Your childhood is past and your youth too is gone; surely, O egg-born one, the decline of your years is upon you.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.29
यस्मिन् नराणां सर्वेषामशेषेच्छा निवर्तते । स कस्माद् वृद्धभावे ऽपि सुनृशंसात्मको भवान्
yasmin narāṇāṃ sarveṣāmaśeṣecchā nivartate / sa kasmād vṛddhabhāve 'pi sunṛśaṃsātmako bhavān
At that (age) in which the desires of all men cease entirely — why is it that you, even in old age, are of so cruel a nature?
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.30
क्व मानुषस्य पिशितं क्व वयश्चरमं तव । सर्वथा दुष्टभावानां प्रशमो नोपपद्यते
kva mānuṣasya piśitaṃ kva vayaścaramaṃ tava / sarvathā duṣṭabhāvānāṃ praśamo nopapadyate
What has human flesh to do with your final stage of life? In every way, for those of evil disposition no quieting (of desire) comes about.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.31
अथवा किं मयैतेन प्रोक्तेनास्ति प्रयोजनम् । प्रतिश्रुत्य सदा देयमिति नो भावितं मनः
athavā kiṃ mayaitena proktenāsti prayojanam / pratiśrutya sadā deyamiti no bhāvitaṃ manaḥ
Or rather, what purpose is there in this that I have said? Having promised, one must always give — so my mind is made up.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.32
इत्युक्त्वा तं स विप्रेन्द्रस्तथेति कृतनिश्चयः । शीघ्रमस्मान् समाहूय गुणतो ऽनुप्रशस्य च
ityuktvā taṃ sa viprendrastatheti kṛtaniścayaḥ / śīghramasmān samāhūya guṇato 'nupraśasya ca
Having said this to him, that lord of brahmins, having resolved "so be it," quickly summoned us and, having praised us for our virtues,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.33
उवाच क्षुब्धहृदयो मुनिर्वाक्यं सुनिष्ठुरम् । विनयावनतान् सर्वान् भक्तियुक्तान् कृताञ्जलीन्
uvāca kṣubdhahṛdayo munirvākyaṃ suniṣṭhuram / vinayāvanatān sarvān bhaktiyuktān kṛtāñjalīn
the sage, his heart agitated, spoke a very harsh speech to us all, who were bowed in modesty, full of devotion, our palms joined:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.34
कृतात्मानो द्विजश्रेष्ठा ऋणैर्युक्ता मया सह । जातं श्रेष्ठमपत्यं वो यूयं मम यथा द्विजाः
kṛtātmāno dvijaśreṣṭhā ṛṇairyuktā mayā saha / jātaṃ śreṣṭhamapatyaṃ vo yūyaṃ mama yathā dvijāḥ
"O best of the twice-born, you are accomplished in self, and bound together with me by debts; excellent offspring have been born to you, O brahmins, just as (you were born) to me.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
MkP 3.35
गुरुः पूज्यो यदि मतो भवतां परमः पिता । ततः कुरुत मे वाक्यं निर्व्यलीकेन चेतसा
guruḥ pūjyo yadi mato bhavatāṃ paramaḥ pitā / tataḥ kuruta me vākyaṃ nirvyalīkena cetasā
If the teacher is held by you to be worthy of honour, the highest father, then carry out my word with a mind free of deceit."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.36
तद्वाक्यसमकालञ्च प्रोक्तमस्माभिरादृतैः । यद्वक्ष्यति भवांस्तद्वै कृतमेवावधार्यताम्
tadvākyasamakālañca proktamasmābhirādṛtaiḥ / yadvakṣyati bhavāṃstadvai kṛtamevāvadhāryatām
And at the very moment of that speech, it was said by us respectfully: "Whatever you shall say, let it be regarded as already done."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.37
ऋषिरुवाच मामेष शरणं प्राप्तो विहगः क्षुत्तृषान्वितः । युष्मन्मांसेन येनास्य क्षणं तृप्तिर्भवेत वै
ṛṣiruvāca māmeṣa śaraṇaṃ prāpto vihagaḥ kṣuttṛṣānvitaḥ / yuṣmanmāṃsena yenāsya kṣaṇaṃ tṛptirbhaveta vai
The sage said: "This bird, afflicted with hunger and thirst, has come to me for refuge; by your flesh let him have satisfaction for a moment,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.38
तृष्णाक्षयञ्च रक्तेन तथा शीघ्नं विधीयताम् । ततो वयं प्रव्यथिताः प्रकम्पोद्भूतसाध्वसाः । कष्टं कष्टमिति प्रोच्य नैतत् कुर्मेति चाब्रुवन्
tṛṣṇākṣayañca raktena tathā śīghnaṃ vidhīyatām / tato vayaṃ pravyathitāḥ prakampodbhūtasādhvasāḥ / kaṣṭaṃ kaṣṭamiti procya naitat kurmeti cābruvan
and let the ending of his thirst by your blood be arranged quickly likewise." Then we, greatly distressed, trembling and filled with terror, cried "Terrible! Terrible!" and said, "This we will not do."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.39
कथं परशरीरस्य हेतोर्देहं स्वकं बुधः । विनाशयेद् घातयेद्वा यथा ह्यात्मा तथा सुतः
kathaṃ paraśarīrasya hetordehaṃ svakaṃ budhaḥ / vināśayed ghātayedvā yathā hyātmā tathā sutaḥ
"How should a wise man destroy or have killed his own body for the sake of another's body? For as the self is, so is the son.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.40
पितृ-देव-मनुष्याणां यान्युक्तानि ऋणानि वै । तान्यपाकुरुते पुत्रो न शरीरप्रदः सुतः
pitṛ-deva-manuṣyāṇāṃ yānyuktāni ṛṇāni vai / tānyapākurute putro na śarīrapradaḥ sutaḥ
Those debts that are declared (to be owed) to the fathers, the gods and men — a son discharges them; but a son who gives up his body is no son.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.41
तस्मान्नैतत् करिष्यामो नी चीर्णं यत् पुरातनैः । जीवन् भद्राण्यवाप्नोति जीवन् पुण्यं करोति च
tasmānnaitat kariṣyāmo nī cīrṇaṃ yat purātanaiḥ / jīvan bhadrāṇyavāpnoti jīvan puṇyaṃ karoti ca
Therefore we will not do this, which was not practised by the ancients. While alive one obtains good things; while alive one performs merit;
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.42
मृतस्य देहनाशश्च धर्माद्युपरतिस्तथा । आत्मानं सर्वतो रक्ष्यमाहुर्धर्मविदो जनाः
mṛtasya dehanāśaśca dharmādyuparatistathā / ātmānaṃ sarvato rakṣyamāhurdharmavido janāḥ
but for one who is dead there is the destruction of the body and likewise the cessation of dharma and the rest. Men who know dharma say that the self is to be protected in every way."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.43
इत्थं श्रुत्वा वचो ऽस्माकं मुनिः क्रोधादिव ज्वलन् । प्रोवाच पुनरप्यस्मान् निर्दहन्निव लोचनैः
itthaṃ śrutvā vaco 'smākaṃ muniḥ krodhādiva jvalan / provāca punarapyasmān nirdahanniva locanaiḥ
Hearing our words thus, the sage, as if blazing with anger, spoke to us again, as if burning us up with his eyes:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.44
प्रतिज्ञातं वचो मह्यं यस्मान्नैतत् करिष्यथ । तस्मान्मच्छापनिर्दग्धास्तिर्यग्योनौ प्रयास्यथ
pratijñātaṃ vaco mahyaṃ yasmānnaitat kariṣyatha / tasmānmacchāpanirdagdhāstiryagyonau prayāsyatha
"Since you will not do this word that was promised to me, therefore, burnt up by my curse, you shall go to the animal womb."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.45
एवमुक्त्वा तदा सो ऽस्मास्तं विहङ्गमथाब्रवीत् । अन्त्येष्टिमात्मनः कृत्वा शास्त्रतश्चौर्ध्वदेहिकम्
evamuktvā tadā so 'smāstaṃ vihaṅgamathābravīt / antyeṣṭimātmanaḥ kṛtvā śāstrataścaurdhvadehikam
Having spoken thus to us then, he said to that bird: "Having performed my own last rites, the funeral offering, according to the scriptures,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.46
भक्षयस्व सुविश्रब्धौ मामत्र द्विजसत्तम । आहारीकृतमेतत् ते मया देहमिहात्मनः
bhakṣayasva suviśrabdhau māmatra dvijasattama / āhārīkṛtametat te mayā dehamihātmanaḥ
eat me here quite confidently, O best of the twice-born; this body of mine has been made into food for you by me here."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.47
एतावदेव विप्रस्य ब्राह्मणत्वं प्रचक्ष्यते । यावत् पतगजात्यग्रय स्वसत्यपरिपालनम्
etāvadeva viprasya brāhmaṇatvaṃ pracakṣyate / yāvat patagajātyagraya svasatyaparipālanam
"Just this much is declared to be the brahminhood of a brahmin, O foremost of the bird-race: the guarding of one's own truth.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.48
न यज्ञैर्दक्षिणावद्भिस्तत् पुण्यं प्राप्यते महत् । कर्मणान्येन वा विप्रैर्यत् सत्यपरिपालनात्
na yajñairdakṣiṇāvadbhistat puṇyaṃ prāpyate mahat / karmaṇānyena vā viprairyat satyaparipālanāt
That great merit which (is won) by brahmins from the guarding of truth is not obtained by sacrifices with their gifts, nor by any other rite."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.49
इत्यृषेर्वचनं श्रुत्वा सो ऽन्तर्विस्मयनिर्भरः । प्रत्युवाच मुनिं शक्रः पक्षिरूपधरस्तदा
ityṛṣervacanaṃ śrutvā so 'ntarvismayanirbharaḥ / pratyuvāca muniṃ śakraḥ pakṣirūpadharastadā
Having heard the seer's speech thus, he — Śakra, then bearing the form of a bird — inwardly filled with amazement, replied to the sage:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.50
योगमास्थाय विप्रेन्द्र त्यजेदं स्वं कलेवरम् । जीवज्जन्तुं हि विप्रेन्द्र न भक्षामि कदाचन
yogamāsthāya viprendra tyajedaṃ svaṃ kalevaram / jīvajjantuṃ hi viprendra na bhakṣāmi kadācana
"Taking recourse to yoga, O chief of brahmins, abandon this your body; for a living creature, O chief of brahmins, I never eat."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.51
तस्मैतद्वचनं श्रुत्वा योगयुक्तो ऽभवन्मुनिः । तं तस्य निश्चयं ज्ञात्वा शक्रो ऽप्याह स्वदेहभृत्
tasmaitadvacanaṃ śrutvā yogayukto 'bhavanmuniḥ / taṃ tasya niścayaṃ jñātvā śakro 'pyāha svadehabhṛt
Having heard this speech of his, the sage became joined to yoga; and knowing that resolve of his, Śakra too, assuming his own body, spoke:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.52
भो भो विप्रेन्द्र बुध्यस्व बुद्ध्या बोध्यं बुधात्मक । जिज्ञासार्थं मयायं ते अपराधः कृतो ऽनघ
bho bho viprendra budhyasva buddhyā bodhyaṃ budhātmaka / jijñāsārthaṃ mayāyaṃ te aparādhaḥ kṛto 'nagha
"Ho, ho, chief of brahmins, understand! Understand by your intellect what is to be understood, O you whose nature is wisdom. For the sake of testing you, this offence was committed by me, O sinless one.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.53
तत् क्षमस्वामलमते का चेच्छा क्रियतां तव । पालनात् सत्यवाक्यस्य प्रीतिर्मे परमा त्वयि
tat kṣamasvāmalamate kā cecchā kriyatāṃ tava / pālanāt satyavākyasya prītirme paramā tvayi
So forgive (me), O you of spotless mind. What is your wish? Let it be done. From your guarding of the word of truth, my delight in you is supreme.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.54
अद्यप्रभृति ते ज्ञानमैन्द्रं प्रादुर्भविष्यति । तपस्यथ तथा धर्मे न ते विघ्नो भविष्यति
adyaprabhṛti te jñānamaindraṃ prādurbhaviṣyati / tapasyatha tathā dharme na te vighno bhaviṣyati
From today onward Indra's knowledge will become manifest in you. So practise austerity in dharma; no obstacle will come to you."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.55
इत्युक्त्वा तु गते शक्रे पिता कोपसमन्वितः । प्रणम्य शिरसास्माभिरिदमुक्तो महामुनिः
ityuktvā tu gate śakre pitā kopasamanvitaḥ / praṇamya śirasāsmābhiridamukto mahāmuniḥ
Having spoken thus, when Śakra had gone, our father was filled with anger; bowing with our heads, this was said by us to the great sage:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.56
बिभ्यतां मरणात् तात त्वमस्माकं महामते । क्षन्तुमर्हसि दीनानां जीवितप्रियता हि नः
bibhyatāṃ maraṇāt tāta tvamasmākaṃ mahāmate / kṣantumarhasi dīnānāṃ jīvitapriyatā hi naḥ
"You ought to forgive us, father, O you of great mind, who feared death, wretched as we are; for life is dear to us.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.57
त्वगस्थिमांससङ्घाते पूयशोणितपूरिते । कर्तव्या न रतिर्यत्र तत्रास्माकमियं रतिः
tvagasthimāṃsasaṅghāte pūyaśoṇitapūrite / kartavyā na ratiryatra tatrāsmākamiyaṃ ratiḥ
Where no delight should be taken — in this aggregate of skin, bone and flesh, filled with pus and blood — there is this delight of ours.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.58
श्रूयतां च महाभाग यथा लोको विमुह्यति । कामक्रोधादिभिर्देषैरवशः प्रबलारिभिः
śrūyatāṃ ca mahābhāga yathā loko vimuhyati / kāmakrodhādibhirdeṣairavaśaḥ prabalāribhiḥ
And let it be heard, O greatly fortunate one, how the world is bewildered, helpless, by the faults beginning with desire and anger, those powerful enemies.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.59
प्रज्ञाप्राकारसंयुक्तमस्थिस्थूणं परं महत् । चर्मभित्तिमहारोधं मांसशोणितलेपनम्
prajñāprākārasaṃyuktamasthisthūṇaṃ paraṃ mahat / carmabhittimahārodhaṃ māṃsaśoṇitalepanam
(There is a city) joined with a rampart of wisdom, having bones for pillars, exceedingly great, whose great enclosing wall is the wall of skin, plastered with flesh and blood,
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.60
नवद्वारं महायामं सर्वतः स्नायुवेष्टितम् । नृपश्च पुरुषस्तत्र चेतनावानवस्थितः
navadvāraṃ mahāyāmaṃ sarvataḥ snāyuveṣṭitam / nṛpaśca puruṣastatra cetanāvānavasthitaḥ
with nine gates, of great extent, wrapped about on all sides with sinews; and there dwells the king, the puruṣa, possessed of consciousness.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.61
मन्त्रिणौ तस्य बुद्धिश्च मनश्चैव विरोधिनौ । यतेते वैरनाशाय तावुभावितरेतरम्
mantriṇau tasya buddhiśca manaścaiva virodhinau / yatete vairanāśāya tāvubhāvitaretaram
His two ministers, intellect and mind, are at odds; those two both strive, one against the other, for the destruction (of each other) out of enmity.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.62
नृपस्य तस्य चत्वारो नाशमिच्छन्ति विद्विषः । कामः क्रोधस्तथा लोभो मोहश्चान्यस्तथा रिपुः
nṛpasya tasya catvāro nāśamicchanti vidviṣaḥ / kāmaḥ krodhastathā lobho mohaścānyastathā ripuḥ
Four foes desire the destruction of that king: desire, anger, and greed, and delusion as yet another enemy.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.65
यदा तु स नृपस्तानि द्वाराण्यावृत्य तिष्ठति । सदा सुस्थबलश्चैव निरातङ्कश्च जायते ॥ मर्क्प्_३।६३ ॥ जातानुरागो भवति शत्रुभिर्नाभिभूयते ॥ मर्क्प्_३।६४ ॥ यदा तु सर्वद्वाराणि विवृतानि स मुञ्चति । रागो नाम तदा शत्रुर्नेत्रादिद्वारमृच्छति
yadā tu sa nṛpastāni dvārāṇyāvṛtya tiṣṭhati / sadā susthabalaścaiva nirātaṅkaśca jāyate // markp_3.63 // jātānurāgo bhavati śatrubhirnābhibhūyate // markp_3.64 // yadā tu sarvadvārāṇi vivṛtāni sa muñcati / rāgo nāma tadā śatrurnetrādidvāramṛcchati
But when that king stands keeping those gates closed, he is always of sound strength and becomes free from fear; affection arises (in him) and he is not overcome by the enemies. But when he lets all the gates stand open, then the enemy named passion comes to the gate of the eye and the rest.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.66
सर्वव्यापी महायामः पञ्चद्वारप्रवेशनः । तस्यानुमार्गं विशति तद्वै घोरं रिपुत्रयम्
sarvavyāpī mahāyāmaḥ pañcadvārapraveśanaḥ / tasyānumārgaṃ viśati tadvai ghoraṃ riputrayam
All-pervading, of great extent, entering by the five gates — along his path there enters that dreadful triad of enemies.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition — the model flagged this verse as uncertain
MkP 3.67
प्रविश्याथ स वै तत्र द्वारैरिन्द्रियसंज्ञकैः । रागः शंश्लेषमायाति मनसा च सहेतरैः
praviśyātha sa vai tatra dvārairindriyasaṃjñakaiḥ / rāgaḥ śaṃśleṣamāyāti manasā ca sahetaraiḥ
And having entered there by the gates called the senses, passion (rāga) comes to union with the mind and with the others too.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.68
इन्द्रियाणि मनश्चैव वशे कृत्वा दुरासदः । द्वाराणि च वशे कृत्वा प्राकारं नाशयत्यथ
indriyāṇi manaścaiva vaśe kṛtvā durāsadaḥ / dvārāṇi ca vaśe kṛtvā prākāraṃ nāśayatyatha
Having brought the senses and the mind under control, he, hard to withstand, and having brought the gates under control, then destroys the rampart.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.69
मनस्तस्याश्रितं दृष्ट्वा बुद्धिर्नश्यति तत्क्षणात् । अमात्यरहितस्तत्र पौरवर्गोज्झितस्तथा
manastasyāśritaṃ dṛṣṭvā buddhirnaśyati tatkṣaṇāt / amātyarahitastatra pauravargojjhitastathā
Seeing the mind resorted to him, the intellect perishes that very instant; then (the king), bereft of his minister and abandoned by the body of citizens —
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.70
रिपुभिर्लब्धविवरः स नृपो नाशमृच्छति । एवं रागस्तथा मोहो लोभः क्रोधस्तथैव च
ripubhirlabdhavivaraḥ sa nṛpo nāśamṛcchati / evaṃ rāgastathā moho lobhaḥ krodhastathaiva ca
— that king, whose opening has been found by the enemies, comes to destruction. Thus passion, and delusion, greed and likewise anger
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.71
प्रवर्तन्ते दुरात्मानो मनुष्यस्मृतिनाशकाः । रागात्तु क्रोधः प्रभवति क्रोधाल्लोभो ऽभिजायते
pravartante durātmāno manuṣyasmṛtināśakāḥ / rāgāttu krodhaḥ prabhavati krodhāllobho 'bhijāyate
— these evil-natured ones, destroyers of a man's memory, come into play. From passion anger arises; from anger greed is born;
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.72
लोभाद्भवति संमोहः संमोहात् स्मृतिविभ्रमः । स्मृतिभ्रंशाद् बुद्धिनाशो बुद्धिनाशात् प्रणश्यति
lobhādbhavati saṃmohaḥ saṃmohāt smṛtivibhramaḥ / smṛtibhraṃśād buddhināśo buddhināśāt praṇaśyati
from greed comes delusion; from delusion the confounding of memory; from the loss of memory the destruction of the intellect; from the destruction of the intellect one perishes.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.73
एवं प्रणष्टबुद्धीनां रागलोभानुवर्तिनाम् । जीविते च सलोभानां प्रसादं कुरु सत्तम
evaṃ praṇaṣṭabuddhīnāṃ rāgalobhānuvartinām / jīvite ca salobhānāṃ prasādaṃ kuru sattama
Thus to us, whose intellect is destroyed, who follow passion and greed and are greedy for life, show favour, O best of beings.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.74
यो ऽयं शापो भगवता दत्तः स न भवेत् तथा । न तामसीं गतिं कष्टां व्रजेम मुनिसत्तम
yo 'yaṃ śāpo bhagavatā dattaḥ sa na bhavet tathā / na tāmasīṃ gatiṃ kaṣṭāṃ vrajema munisattama
Let this curse which was given by the reverend one not turn out so; may we not go to that painful dark state, O best of sages.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.75
यन्मयोक्तं न तन्मिथ्या भविष्यति कदाचन । न मे वागनृतं प्राह यावदद्येति पुत्रकाः
yanmayoktaṃ na tanmithyā bhaviṣyati kadācana / na me vāganṛtaṃ prāha yāvadadyeti putrakāḥ
"What has been said by me will never become false; my speech has not spoken untruth up to this day, my sons.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.76
दैवमत्र परं मन्ये धिक् पौरुषमनर्थकम् । अकार्यं कारितो येन बलादहमचिन्तितम्
daivamatra paraṃ manye dhik pauruṣamanarthakam / akāryaṃ kārito yena balādahamacintitam
Here I deem fate supreme; fie on manly effort, which is useless — by which I was forcibly made to do an unthinkable deed that ought not to be done.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.77
यस्माच्च युष्माभिरहं प्रणिपत्य प्रसादितः । तस्मात् तिर्यक्त्वमापन्नाः परं ज्ञानमवाप्स्यथ
yasmācca yuṣmābhirahaṃ praṇipatya prasāditaḥ / tasmāt tiryaktvamāpannāḥ paraṃ jñānamavāpsyatha
And because I have been propitiated by you with prostration, therefore, having come to the condition of animals, you shall obtain the highest knowledge.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.78
ज्ञानदर्शितमार्गाश्च निर्धूतक्लेशकल्मषाः । मत्प्रसादादसन्दिग्धाः परां सिद्धिमवाप्स्यथ
jñānadarśitamārgāśca nirdhūtakleśakalmaṣāḥ / matprasādādasandigdhāḥ parāṃ siddhimavāpsyatha
With the path shown to you by knowledge, your afflictions and stains shaken off, by my grace you shall, without doubt, attain the highest perfection.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.79
एवं शप्ताः स्म भगवन् पित्रा दैववशात् पुरा । ततः कालेन महता योन्यन्तरमुपागताः
evaṃ śaptāḥ sma bhagavan pitrā daivavaśāt purā / tataḥ kālena mahatā yonyantaramupāgatāḥ
"Thus, O lord, we were cursed long ago by our father, by the force of fate; then, after a long time, we came into another womb."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.80
जाताश्च रणमध्ये वै भवता परिपालिताः । वयमित्थं द्विजश्रेष्ठ खगत्वं समुपागताः । नास्त्यसाविह संसारे यो न दिष्टेन बाध्यते
jātāśca raṇamadhye vai bhavatā paripālitāḥ / vayamitthaṃ dvijaśreṣṭha khagatvaṃ samupāgatāḥ / nāstyasāviha saṃsāre yo na diṣṭena bādhyate
"And having been born, we were indeed protected by you in the midst of the battle. Thus, O best of the twice-born, we have come to the state of birds. There is no one here in this round of existence who is not afflicted by what is fated."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.81
इति तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा शमीको भगवान् मुनिः । प्रत्युवाच महाभागः समीपस्थायिनो द्विजान्
iti teṣāṃ vacaḥ śrutvā śamīko bhagavān muniḥ / pratyuvāca mahābhāgaḥ samīpasthāyino dvijān
Having heard these words of theirs, the venerable sage Śamīka, greatly blessed, replied to the twice-born who were standing nearby:
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.82
पूर्वमेव मया प्रोक्तं भवतां सन्निधाविदम् । सामान्यपक्षिणो नैते के ऽप्येते द्विजसत्तमाः । ये युद्धे ऽपि न सम्प्राप्ताः पञ्चत्वमतिमानुषे
pūrvameva mayā proktaṃ bhavatāṃ sannidhāvidam / sāmānyapakṣiṇo naite ke 'pyete dvijasattamāḥ / ye yuddhe 'pi na samprāptāḥ pañcatvamatimānuṣe
"This was said by me already before, in your presence: these are not ordinary birds; these are someone, O best of the twice-born — they who did not meet death even in that superhuman battle."
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.83
ततः प्रीतिमता तेन ते ऽनुज्ञाता महात्मना । जग्मुः शिखरिणां श्रेष्टं विन्ध्यं द्रुमलतायुतम्
tataḥ prītimatā tena te 'nujñātā mahātmanā / jagmuḥ śikhariṇāṃ śreṣṭaṃ vindhyaṃ drumalatāyutam
Then, permitted by that pleased great-souled one, they went to the Vindhya, best of mountains, thick with trees and creepers.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.84
यावदद्य स्थितास्तस्मिन्नचले धर्मपक्षिणः । तपः स्वाध्यायनिरताः समाधौ कृतनिश्चयाः
yāvadadya sthitāstasminnacale dharmapakṣiṇaḥ / tapaḥ svādhyāyaniratāḥ samādhau kṛtaniścayāḥ
To this day they remain on that mountain, birds (devoted to) dharma, given over to austerity and recitation, resolved upon meditation.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition
MkP 3.85
इति मुनिवरलब्धसत्क्रियास्ते मुनितनया विहगत्वमभ्युपेताः । गिरिवरगहने ऽतिपुण्यतोये यतमनसो निवसन्ति विन्ध्यपृष्ठे
iti munivaralabdhasatkriyāste munitanayā vihagatvamabhyupetāḥ / girivaragahane 'tipuṇyatoye yatamanaso nivasanti vindhyapṛṣṭhe
Thus those sons of the sage, having received honour from the best of sages, having taken on the state of birds, dwell with restrained minds in the thicket of the best of mountains, on the Vindhya's back, where the waters are most holy.
AI translation rendered from the Sanskrit, not a published edition