03.186
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
tataḥ sa punarevātha mārkaṇḍeyaṃ yaśasvinam। papraccha vinayopeto dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ॥03-186-1॥
Then, once again, Yudhishthira, the King of Dharma, endowed with humility, asked the illustrious Markandeya. (03-186-1)
naike yugasaḥasrāntāstvayā dṛṣṭā mahāmune। na cāpīha samaḥ kaścid āyuṣā tava vidyate ॥ varjayitvā mahātmānaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ parameṣṭhinam ॥03-186-2॥
O great sage, countless thousands of yuga cycles have passed before your eyes. And there is no one here whose lifespan equals yours, except for the great-souled Brāhmaṇa, Parameṣṭhin (Brahmā). (03-186-2)
anantarikṣe loke'smin devadānavavarjite. tvam eva pralaye vipra brahmāṇam upatiṣṭhasi ॥03-186-3॥
O brāhmaṇa, at the dissolution, in this world free from gods and demons, in the endless space, you alone attend upon Brahmā. (03-186-3)
pralaye cāpi nirvṛtte prabuddhe ca pitāmahe। tvam eva sṛjyamānāni bhūtāni iha prapaśyasi॥03-186-4॥
When the dissolution is complete and the Grandfather (Brahmā) awakens, you alone see here all the beings coming into existence. (03-186-4)
caturvidhāni viprarṣe yathāvat parameṣṭhinā। vāyubhūtā diśaḥ kṛtvā vikṣipyāpas tatastataḥ ॥03-186-5॥
O sage among the twice-born, Parameṣṭhin (Brahmā) properly made the four kinds by transforming the quarters into wind and scattering the waters here and there. (03-186-5)
tvayā lokaguruḥ sākṣātsarvalokapitāmahaḥ। ārādhito dvijaśreṣṭha tatpareṇa samādhinā ॥03-186-6॥
O best of twice-born, by you, the teacher of the worlds, the very grandsire of all worlds, has been directly worshipped with supreme concentration through meditation. (03-186-6)
tasmātsarvāntako mṛtyur jarā vā dehanāśinī. na tvā viśati viprarṣe prasādāt parameṣṭhinaḥ ॥03-186-7॥
Therefore, O sage among Brāhmaṇas, death, which ends all, or old age that destroys the body, does not affect you by the favor of the Supreme Lord. (03-186-7)
yadā naiva ravirnāgnirna vāyurna ca candramāḥ। naivāntarikṣaṃ naivorvī śeṣaṃ bhavati kiñcana॥03-186-8॥
When there is neither sun, nor fire, nor wind, nor the moon, nor even ether or earth, nothing at all remains. (03-186-8)
tasminn ekārṇave loke naṣṭe sthāvarajaṅgame। naṣṭe devāsuragaṇe samutsannamahorage ॥03-186-9॥
When, in that world of the single ocean, all immobile and mobile beings had perished, and the hosts of gods, demons, and great serpents were completely gone. (03-186-9)
śayānam amitātmānaṃ padme padmaniketanam। tvam ekaḥ sarvabhūteśaṃ brahmāṇam upatiṣṭhasi ॥03-186-10॥
You alone attend to Brahmā, the lord of all beings, who is lying, of infinite self, on a lotus, whose abode is the lotus. (03-186-10)
etatpratyakṣataḥ sarvaṃ pūrvavṛttaṃ dvijottama। tasmād icchāmahe śrotuṃ sarvahetvātmikāṃ kathām ॥03-186-11॥
O best of the twice-born, having directly perceived all these former events, therefore we wish to hear the story which encompasses all causes. (03-186-11)
anubhūtaṃ hi bahuśastvayaikena dvijottama। na te'styaviditaṃ kiñcit sarvalokeṣu nityadā ॥03-186-12॥
O best of twice-born, you alone have experienced this many times indeed; there is nothing unknown to you at any time in all the worlds. (03-186-12)
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Markandeya said.
hanta te kathayiṣyāmi namaskṛtvā svayambhuve. puruṣāya purāṇāya śāśvatāyāvyayāya ca ॥03-186-13॥
Indeed, I will tell you, having bowed to the self-born, the Purusha, the ancient, the eternal, and the imperishable. (03-186-13)
ya eṣa pṛthudīrghākṣaḥ pītavāsā janārdanaḥ। eṣa kartā vikartā ca sarvabhāvanabhūtakṛt ॥03-186-14॥
He who is this one—Janārdana, having broad and long eyes, wearing yellow robes—he is the creator, the transformer, and the maker of all beings and existences. (03-186-14)
acintyaṃ mahad-āścaryaṃ pavitram api cottamam। anādi-nidhanaṃ bhūtaṃ viśvaṃ akṣayam avyayam ॥03-186-15॥
It is unthinkable, a great wonder, pure, also the highest; beginningless and endless, existent, the universe, imperishable, and unchanging. (03-186-15)
eṣa kartā na kriyate kāraṇaṃ cāpi pauruṣe। yo hyenaṃ puruṣaṃ vetti devā api na taṃ viduḥ॥03-186-16॥
This doer is not made the cause even in the person; whoever indeed knows this person—him even the gods do not know. (03-186-16)
sarvam āścaryam eva etat nirvṛttam rāja-sattama। ādito manuja-vyāghra kṛtsnasya jagataḥ kṣaye ॥03-186-17॥
O best of kings, all this is truly a wonder; O tiger among men, it has already occurred from the beginning, at the destruction of the entire world. (03-186-17)
catvāry āhuḥ sahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṃ tat kṛtaṃ yugam। tasya tāvat śatī sandhyā sandhyāṃśaś ca tataḥ param ॥03-186-18॥
They say that the Kṛta Yuga consists of four thousand years. Its twilight period is of the same amount, and after that, there is the portion of twilight. (03-186-18)
trīṇi varṣasahasrāṇi tretāyugamihochyate। tasya tāvacchatī sandhyā sandhyāṃśaśca tataḥ param ॥03-186-19॥
The Tretā Yuga is said here to be three thousand years. Of this, a hundred years constitute the twilight period, and a part of the twilight follows beyond that. (03-186-19)
tathā varṣasahasre dve dvāparaṃ parimāṇataḥ। tasyāpi dviśatī sandhyā sandhyāṃśaś ca tataḥ param॥03-186-20॥
Thus, the Dvāpara Yuga is measured as two thousand years. Of that, two hundred years are the twilight period and part of the twilight after that. (03-186-20)
sahasramekaṁ varṣāṇāṁ tataḥ kaliyugaṁ smṛtam। tasya varṣaśataṁ sandhyā sandhyāṁśaśca tataḥ param॥ sandhyāsandhyāṁśayostulyaṁ pramāṇamupadhāraya॥03-186-21॥
The Kali age is said to be of one thousand years; its twilight lasts for one hundred years, and after that, a portion of the twilight. Consider the measurements of both the twilight and its portion as being equal. (3-186-21)
kṣīṇe kaliyuge caiva pravartati kṛtaṃ yugam। eṣā dvādaśasāhasrī yugākhyā parikīrtitā ॥03-186-22॥
When the Kali Yuga comes to an end and the Kṛta Yuga begins, this cycle of twelve thousand, known as a yuga, is declared. (03-186-22)
etatsaḥasraparyantamaho brāhmamudāhṛtam। viśvaṃ hi brahmabhavane sarvaśaḥ parivartate॥ lokānāṃ manujavyāghra pralayaṃ taṃ vidurbudhāḥ॥03-186-23॥
This great period of a thousand (years) is known as the day of Brahma. For the entire universe, indeed, in Brahma's abode, completely undergoes transformation. The wise, O tiger among men, know this as the dissolution of the worlds. (03-186-23)
alpāvaśiṣṭe tu tadā yugānte bharatarṣabha। sahasrānte narāḥ sarve prāyaśo'nṛtavādinaḥ ॥03-186-24॥
O best of the Bharatas, when only a few remain at the end of the age, at the end of a thousand years, all men will mostly become speakers of falsehood. (03-186-24)
yajñapratinidhiḥ pārtha dānapratinidḥistathā। vratapratinidhiścaiva tasminkāle pravartate ॥03-186-25॥
O Pārtha, the substitute for sacrifice, the substitute for gift, and likewise the substitute for vow are in effect at that time. (03-186-25)
brāhmaṇāḥ śūdrakarmāṇas tathā śūdrā dhanārjakāḥ। kṣatradharmeṇa vāpy atra vartayanti gate yuge ॥03-186-26॥
Brāhmaṇas perform the duties of śūdras, and similarly, śūdras become money earners; here, they may also live by kṣatriya duties, when the age has passed. (03-186-26)
nivṛttayajñasvādhyāyāḥ piṇḍodakavivarjitāḥ। brāhmaṇāḥ sarvabhakṣāś ca bhaviṣyanti kalau yuge ॥03-186-27॥
In the Kali age, Brāhmaṇas will abandon sacrifice and self-study, be deprived of offerings of rice-balls and water, and become eaters of everything. (03-186-27)
ajapā brāhmaṇās tāta śūdrā japa-parāyaṇāḥ। viparīte tadā loke pūrva-rūpaṃ kṣayasya tat॥03-186-28॥
O dear one, when Brāhmaṇas do not chant and Śūdras are devoted to recitation, then, in the world, that is a sign of coming decline. (03-186-28)
bahavo mleccharājānaḥ pṛthivyāṁ manujādhipa। mithyānuśāsinaḥ pāpā mṛṣāvādaparāyaṇāḥ ॥03-186-29॥
O lord of men, there are many barbarian kings on earth—false rulers, wicked, and dedicated to speaking lies. (03-186-29)
āndhrāḥ śakāḥ pulindāś ca yavanāś ca narādhipāḥ। kāmbojā aurṇikāḥ śūdrās tathābhīrā narottama ॥03-186-30॥
O best of men, the Andhras, Shakas, Pulindas, Yavanas, kings, Kambojas, Aurnikas, Śudras, and Abhiras (are mentioned here). (03-186-30)
na tadā brāhmaṇaḥ kaścit svadharmam upajīvati। kṣatriyā api vaiśyāś ca vikarmasthā narādhipa ॥03-186-31॥
At that time, no brāhmaṇa lives according to his proper dharma. Even kṣatriyas and vaiśyas, O king, engage in improper actions. (03-186-31)
alpāyuṣaḥ svalpabalā alpagejaḥparākramāḥ। alpadehālpasārāśca tathā satyalpabhāṣiṇaḥ॥03-186-32॥
They are short-lived, weak, lacking in energy and valor, of small stature and little substance, and also speak little truth. (03-186-32)
bahuśūnyā janapadā mṛgavyālāvṛtā diśaḥ। yugānte samanuprāpte vṛthā ca brahmacāriṇaḥ॥ bhovādinastathā śūdrā brāhmaṇāścāryavādinaḥ॥03-186-33॥
The settlements become largely deserted, with regions overrun by wild animals in all directions; when the end of the age arrives, brahmacārins exist in vain. Those who use 'bho' as a form of address are śūdras, and even the brāhmaṇas speak improper doctrines. (03-186-33)
yugānte manujavyāghra bhavanti bahujantavaḥ। na tathā ghrāṇayuktāś ca sarvagandhā viśāṃ pate॥ rasāś ca manujavyāghra na tathā svāduyoginaḥ॥03-186-34॥
At the end of the age, O tiger among men, numerous beings are born; but, O lord of men, all scents are not possessed of fragrance, nor are the tastes, O tiger among men, as endowed with sweetness. (03-186-34)
bahu-prajā hrasva-dehāḥ śīla-ācāra-vivarjitāḥ। mukhe-bhagāḥ striyo rājan bhaviṣyanti yuga-kṣaye ॥03-186-35॥
At the end of the age, O king, women will become short-bodied, prolific, devoid of good character and conduct, and have their sexual organ on their face. (03-186-35)
aṭṭaśūlā janapadāḥ śivaśūlāścatuṣpathāḥ। keśaśūlāḥ striyo rājanbhaviṣyanti yugakṣaye ॥03-186-36॥
"Regions will have large spikes, crossroads will have auspicious spikes, women will have spiky hair, O king, all these will prevail at the end of the age." (03-186-36)
alpakṣīrās tathā gāvo bhaviṣyanti janādhipa। alpapuṣpaphalāś cāpi pādapā bahuvāyasāḥ ॥03-186-37॥
O lord of people, likewise cows will yield little milk. Also, trees will bear few flowers and fruits, and will be infested with many crows. (03-186-37)
brahmavadhyāvaliptānāṃ tathā mithyābhiśaṃsinām। nṛpāṇāṃ pṛthivīpāla pratigṛhṇanti vai dvijāḥ॥03-186-38॥
O protector of the earth, the twice-born indeed accept gifts from kings who are proud killers of Brāhmaṇas and those who bear false witness. (03-186-38)
lobha-moha-parītāś ca mithyā-dharma-dhvajā-vṛtāḥ। bhikṣārthaṃ pṛthivīpāla cañcūryante dvijair diśaḥ॥03-186-39॥
Overcome by greed and delusion, and cloaked in false righteousness, the Brahmins, seeking alms, roam the lands of kings in all directions. (03-186-39)
karabhārabhayāt puṃso gṛhasthāḥ parimoṣakāḥ। municchad-mākṛti-cchannā vāṇijyam upajīvate ॥03-186-40॥
Out of fear of the burden of taxes, householders and thieves, concealing themselves in the guise of ascetics, make their living by engaging in trade. (03-186-40)
mithyā ca nakha-romāṇi dhārayanti narās tadā। artha-lobhān nara-vyāghra vṛthā ca brahmacāriṇaḥ॥03-186-41॥
At that time, men falsely grow their nails and hair, O tiger among men, and celibate students do so in vain due to greed for wealth. (03-186-41)
āśrameṣu vṛthācārāḥ pānapā gurutalpagāḥ। aihalaukamīhante māṁsaśoṇitavardhanam ॥03-186-42॥
Those of vain conduct, drinkers of liquor, those who approach the teacher's wife, in the āśramas pursue only worldly matters, fostering the increase of flesh and blood. (03-186-42)
bahu-pāṣaṇḍa-saṅkīrṇāḥ parānna-guṇa-vādināḥ। āśramā manuja-vyāghra na bhavanti yuga-kṣaye॥03-186-43॥
O tiger among men, at the end of the age, āśramas, having become mixed with many heretics and praisers of the merit of another's food, no longer exist. (03-186-43)
yathārtuvarṣī bhagavān na tathā pākaśāsanaḥ। na tadā sarvabījāni samyag rohanti bhārata ॥ adharma-phalam atyarthaṃ tadā bhavati ca anagha ॥03-186-44॥
Just as a Lord provides rain in proper season, but Indra does not do so; at that time, O Bhārata, all seeds do not sprout properly. Then, O sinless one, the fruit of unrighteousness arises in excess. (03-186-44)
tathā ca pṛthivīpāla yo bhaved dharmasaṃyutaḥ। alpāyuḥ sa hi mantavyo na hi dharmo'sti kaścana॥03-186-45॥
Similarly, a king who may be endowed with dharma and has a short life is to be considered so, for in one who lacks dharma, there is truly no value. (03-186-45)
bhūyiṣṭhaṁ kūṭamānaiś ca paṇyaṁ vikrīṇate janāḥ। vaṇijaś ca naravyāghra bahumāyā bhavanty uta॥03-186-46॥
People mostly sell goods with false measures; and merchants, O tiger among men, are very deceitful indeed. (3-186-46)
dharmiṣṭhāḥ parihīyante pāpīyān vardhate janaḥ। dharmasya balahāniḥ syād adharmaś ca balī tathā॥03-186-47॥
The most righteous decline while wicked people increase. The strength of dharma is lost, and adharma likewise becomes powerful. (03-186-47)
alpāyuṣo daridrāś ca dharmiṣṭhā mānavās tadā। dīrghāyuṣaḥ samṛddhāś ca vidharmāṇo yugakṣaye ॥03-186-48॥
At the end of the age, humans who are righteous become short-lived and poor, while those who are unrighteous become long-lived and prosperous. (03-186-48)
adharmiṣṭhair upāyaiś ca prajā vyavaharanti uta। sañcayena api ca alpena bhavanti āḍhyā mada-anvitāḥ॥03-186-49॥
People act by most unrighteous means; and even with a small accumulation, they become wealthy and proud. (3-186-49)
dhanaṃ viśvāsato nyastaṃ mitho bhūyiṣṭhaśo narāḥ। hartuṃ vyavasitā rājan māyācārasamanvitāḥ॥03-186-50॥
O king, men, mostly, who have deposited wealth with each other in trust, are resolved to take it away, being endowed with deceitful conduct. (03-186-50)
puruṣādāni sattvāni pakṣiṇo'tha mṛgās tathā। nagarāṇāṁ vihāreṣu caityeṣv api ca śerate॥03-186-51॥
Man-eating beings, birds, and likewise animals rest or take shelter in the pleasure-grounds and shrines of cities. (03-186-51)
saptavarṣāṣṭavarṣāś ca striyo garbhadharā nṛpa। daśadvādaśavarṣāṇāṃ puṃsāṃ putraḥ prajāyate ॥03-186-52॥
O king, girls of seven or eight years become capable of conceiving; for boys of ten or twelve years, a son is born. (03-186-52)
bhavanti ṣoḍaśe varṣe narāḥ palitinastathā। āyuḥkṣayo manuṣyāṇāṃ kṣiprameva prapadyate॥03-186-53॥
Thus, men become gray-haired in their sixteenth year; the decline of the lifespan of men quickly indeed befalls. (03-186-53)
kṣīṇe yuge mahārāja taruṇā vṛddhaśīlinaḥ। taruṇānāṃ ca yatśīlaṃ tadvṛddheṣu prajāyate ॥03-186-54॥
O great king, when the age declines, the young adopt the ways of the old, and the conduct of the young appears among the old. (3-186-54)
viparītāḥ tadā nāryo vañcayitvā rahaḥ patīn। vyuccaranti api duḥśīlā dāsaiḥ paśubhir eva ca ॥03-186-55॥
At that time, perverse women of bad conduct, having deceived their husbands in secret, go astray even with servants and indeed with beasts. (03-186-55)
tasmin yugahasrānte samprāpte cāyuṣaḥ kṣaye। anāvṛṣṭir mahārāja jāyate bahuvārṣikī॥03-186-56॥
O great king, when at the end of a thousand yugas, as lifespans decline, a drought lasting for many years arises. (03-186-56)
tatas tāny alpa-sārāṇi sattvāṇi kṣudhitāni ca। pralayaṃ yānti bhūyiṣṭhaṃ pṛthivyāṃ pṛthivīpate॥03-186-57॥
Then, O lord of the earth, those beings of little essence and hungry mostly perish on the earth. (03-186-57)
tato dinakarair dīptaiḥ saptabhir manujādhipa। pīyate salilaṃ sarvaṃ samudreṣu saritsu ca ॥03-186-58॥
Then, O lord of men, by the seven shining suns, all the water of the oceans and rivers is consumed. (03-186-58)
yacca kāṣṭhaṃ tṛṇaṃ cāpi śuṣkaṃ cārdraṃ ca bhārata। sarvaṃ tadbhasmasādbhūtaṃ dṛśyate bharatarṣabha॥03-186-59॥
O Bhārata, all the wood and grass, both dry and wet, you see, O foremost of the Bhāratas—all of it has become mere ashes. (03-186-59)
tataḥ saṁvartako vahnirvāyunā saha bhārata. lokamāviśate pūrvamādityairupaśoṣitam ॥03-186-60॥
Then, O Bhārata, the world-destroying fire together with the wind enters the world, which has previously been dried up by the suns. (03-186-60)
tataḥ sa pṛthivīṃ bhittvā samāviśya rasātalam। devadānava-yakṣāṇāṃ bhayaṃ janayate mahat ॥03-186-61॥
Then he, having pierced the earth and gone into the netherworld, caused great fear among the gods, demons, and yakshas. (03-186-61)
nirdahannāgalokaṃ ca yacca kiñcitkṣitāviha। adhastātpṛthivīpāla sarvaṃ nāśayate kṣaṇāt॥03-186-62॥
O King, burning up the realm of the nāgas and whatever small thing is here on earth below, it destroys everything in an instant. (03-186-62)
tato yojanaviṃśānāṃ sahasrāṇi śatāni ca। nirdahaty aśivo vāyuḥ sa ca saṃvartako'nalaḥ॥03-186-63॥
Thereafter, for hundreds and thousands of units of twenty yojanas, the inauspicious wind burns everything, and that is the world-destroying fire. (03-186-63)
sadevāsuragandharvaṃ sayakṣoragarākṣasam। tato dahati dīptaḥ sa sarvameva jagadvibhuḥ ॥03-186-64॥
He, the blazing omnipresent one, then burns the entire world, along with the gods, demons, gandharvas, yakṣas, serpents, and rākṣasas. (03-186-64)
tato gajakula-prakhyāḥ taḍinmālā-vibhūṣitāḥ। uttiṣṭhanti mahāmeghā nabhasy adbhutadarśanāḥ॥03-186-65॥
Then, great clouds with a wonderful appearance, adorned with garlands of lightning and resembling a herd of elephants, rise up in the sky. (03-186-65)
kecin nīlotpalaśyāmāḥ kecit kumudasaṃnibhāḥ। kecit kiñjalkasaṅkāśāḥ kecit pītāḥ payodharāḥ॥03-186-66॥
Some breasts are dark like blue lotuses, some resemble white lotuses, some are shining like flower filaments, and some are yellow. (03-186-66)
keciddhāridrasaṅkāśāḥ kākāṇḍakanibhās tathā। kecitkamalapatrābhāḥ keciddhiṅgulakaprabhāḥ ॥03-186-67॥
Some looked like copper, some resembled the color of crow's eggs; similarly, some had the brilliance of lotus leaves, and some had the radiance of orpiment (yellow mineral). (03-186-67)
kecit puravarakārāḥ kecid gajakulo pamāḥ। kecid añjanasaṅkāśāḥ kecin makarasaṃsthitāḥ॥ vidyunmālāpinaddhāṅgāḥ samuttiṣṭhanti vai ghanāḥ॥ 03-186-68॥
Some clouds look like magnificent cities, some resemble herds of elephants, some appear as dark as collyrium, and some take the shape of makaras; the clouds, their bodies wreathed with garlands of lightning, rise up. (3-186-68)
ghorarūpā mahārāja ghorasvannanināditāḥ। tato jaladharāḥ sarve vyāpnuvanti nabhastalam ॥03-186-69॥
O great king, those clouds, terrible in appearance and resounding with dreadful sounds, then all cover the sky. (03-186-69)
tairiyaṃ pṛthivī sarvā saparvatavanākarā। āpūryate mahārāja salilaughapariplutā ॥03-186-70॥
O great king, the entire earth, with its mountains, forests, and mines, is filled and submerged by the rising floodwaters. (03-186-70)
tataste jaladā ghorā rāviṇaḥ puruṣarṣabha। sarvataḥ plāvayantyāśu coditāḥ parameṣṭhinā ॥03-186-71॥
Then, O bull among men, those terrible, resounding clouds, impelled by the supreme lord, quickly flood everywhere. (03-186-71)
varṣamāṇā mahattoyaṁ pūrayanto vasundharām। sughoram aśivaṁ raudraṁ nāśayanti ca pāvakam॥03-186-72॥
Showering great quantities of water and filling the earth, they also destroy the very terrible, inauspicious, and fierce fire. (03-186-72)
tato dvādaśa varṣāṇi payodāsta upaplave। dhārābhiḥ pūrayanto vai codyamānā mahātmanā ॥03-186-73॥
Then, for twelve years, the clouds at the time of the flood, impelled by the great-souled one, kept filling (the world) with streams indeed. (03-186-73)
tataḥ samudraḥ svāṃ velām atikrāmati bhārata। parvatāś ca viśīryante mahī cāpi viśīryate ॥03-186-74॥
Then, O Bhārata, the ocean oversteps its own boundary; the mountains are broken, and the earth itself is shattered. (03-186-74)
sarvataḥ sahasā bhrāntās te payodā nabhastalam। saṁveṣṭayitvā naśyanti vāyu-vega-parāhatāḥ॥03-186-75॥
From all sides, the clouds suddenly wander, having enveloped the sky, and perish, struck by the force of the wind. (03-186-75)
tatastaṃ mārutaṃ ghoraṃ svayambhūrmanujādhipa. ādipadmālayo devaḥ pītvā svapiti bhārata ॥03-186-76॥
Then the Self-born god, whose abode is the primeval lotus, having absorbed that terrible wind, sleeps, O Bhārata, O king of men. (03-186-76)
tasminn-ekārṇave ghore naṣṭe sthāvarajaṅgame। naṣṭe devāsuragaṇe yakṣarākṣasavarjite ॥03-186-77॥
In that one terrible ocean, when all immobile and mobile beings were destroyed, and the hosts of devas and asuras were lost, except for the yakṣas and rākṣasas. (03-186-77)
nirmanuṣye mahīpāla niḥśvāpadamahīruhe। anantarikṣe loke'smin bhramāmyeko'hamādṛtaḥ॥03-186-78॥
O protector of the earth, in this world devoid of humans, beasts, and trees, with no sky, I wander alone, honored. (03-186-78)
ekārṇave jale ghore vicaran pārthivottama। apaśyan sarvabhūtāni vaiklavyam agamam param ॥03-186-79॥
O best of kings, as I wandered in the dreadful, solitary ocean of water and did not see any beings, I fell into profound despair. (03-186-79)
tataḥ sudīrghaṃ gatvā tu plavamāno narādhipa| śrāntaḥ kvacinna śaraṇaṃ labhāmyahamatandritaḥ ॥03-186-80॥
Then, O king, having leapt for a very long distance, though untiring, I am tired and do not find refuge anywhere. (03-186-80)
tataḥ kadācit paśyāmi tasmin salila-samplave। nyagrodhaṃ sumahāntaṃ vai viśālaṃ pṛthivīpate ॥03-186-81॥
Then, O lord of the earth, once I saw in that flood of water a very great, wide banyan tree. (03-186-81)
śākhāyāṃ tasya vṛkṣasya vistīrṇāyāṃ narādhipa। paryaṅke pṛthivīpāla divyāstaraṇasaṃstṛte ॥03-186-82॥
O king, on the wide-spreading branch of that tree, O protector of the earth, there was a couch made up with divine bedding. (03-186-82)
upaviṣṭaṃ mahārāja pūrṇendusadṛśānanam। phullapadmaviśālākṣaṃ bālaṃ paśyāmi bhārata ॥03-186-83॥
O great king, O Bhārata, I see a boy seated, whose face is like the full moon and whose eyes are large like blossomed lotuses. (03-186-83)
tato me pṛthivīpāla vismayaḥ sumahān abhūt। kathaṁ tvayaṁ śiśuḥ śete loke nāśam upāgate ॥03-186-84॥
Then, O king, I was greatly astonished. How is it that you, this child, are lying in the world when destruction has come? (03-186-84)
tapasā cintayaṃścāpi taṃ śiśuṃ nopalakṣaye। bhūtaṃ bhavyaṃ bhaviṣyacca jānannapi narādhipa ॥03-186-85॥
O best of men, though I know the past, future, and the time to come, and though I reflect with austerity, I do not perceive that child. (03-186-85)
atasīpuṣpavarṇābhaḥ śrīvatsakṛtalakṣaṇaḥ। sākṣāllakṣmyā ivāvāsaḥ sa tadā pratibhāti me ॥03-186-86॥
He appears to me then, possessing the color of the flax flower and marked with the Śrīvatsa sign, as if he were directly the abode of Lakṣmī. (03-186-86)
tato mām abravīd bālaḥ sa padmanibhalocanaḥ। śrīvatsadhārī dyutimān vākyaṃ śrutisukhāvaham ॥03-186-87॥
Then that radiant boy with lotus-like eyes, who bore the Śrīvatsa mark, said to me words that were pleasant to hear. (03-186-87)
jānāmi tvā pariśrāntaṃ tāta viśrāmakāṅkṣiṇam। mārkaṇḍeya ihāssva tvaṃ yāvadicchasi bhārgava॥03-186-88॥
I know you are exhausted and longing for rest, dear one. O Markandeya, stay here as long as you wish, O descendant of Bhrigu. (03-186-88)
abhyantaraṃ śarīraṃ me praviśya munisattama। āssva bho vihito vāsaḥ prasādaste kṛto mayā ॥03-186-89॥
O best of sages, having entered my body, please reside here, O revered one. I have arranged an abode for you; I have done what is needed for your favor. (03-186-89)
tato bālena tenaivam-uktasyāsīttadā mama। nirvedo jīvite dīrghe manuṣyatve ca bhārata॥03-186-90॥
Then, after being thus addressed by that boy, O Bhārata, I felt disillusionment with long life and even with being human. (03-186-90)
tato bālena tenāsyaṃ sahasā vivṛtaṃ kṛtam। tasyāhamavaśo vaktraṃ daivayogātpraveśitaḥ ॥03-186-91॥
Then, by that boy, his mouth was suddenly opened, and by the force of fate, I was helplessly made to enter his mouth. (03-186-91)
tataḥ praviṣṭas tatkukṣiṁ sahasā manujādhipa। sarāṣṭranagarākīrṇāṁ kṛtsnāṁ paśyāmi medinīm ॥03-186-92॥
Then, O king of men, I suddenly entered that interior and saw the whole earth filled with countries and cities. (03-186-92)
gaṅgāṁ śatadruṁ sītāṁ ca yamunāmatha kauśikīm। carmaṇvatīṁ vetravatīṁ candrabhāgāṁ sarasvatīm ॥03-186-93॥
The Gaṅgā, Śatadru, Sītā, and Yamunā; then Kauśikī, Carmaṇvatī, Vetravatī, Candrabhāgā, and Sarasvatī. (03-186-93)
sindhuṃ caiva vipāśāṃ ca nadīṃ godāvarīm api। vasvokasārāṃ nalinīṃ narmadāṃ caiva bhārata ॥03-186-94॥
O Bhārata, (there are) the Sindhu, the Vipāśā, the river Godāvarī, also Vasvokasārā, Nalinī, and the Narmadā. (3-186-94)
nadīṃ tāmrāṃ ca veṇṇāṃ ca puṇyatoyāṃ śubhāvahām। suveṇāṃ kṛṣṇaveṇāṃ ca irāmāṃ ca mahānadīm॥ śoṇaṃ ca puruṣavyāghra viśalyāṃ kampunām api॥03-186-95॥
River Tāmra, Veṇṇā, the sacred-watered and auspicious Suveṇā, Kṛṣṇaveṇā, Irāmā, Mahānadi; Śoṇa too, O tiger among men, as well as Viśalyā and the river called Kampu. (3-186-95)
etāś cānyāś ca nadyo'ham pṛthivyāṃ yā narottama। parikrāman prapaśyāmi tasya kukṣau mahātmanaḥ॥03-186-96॥
O best of men, as I move about on earth, I see these and other rivers in the belly of that great-souled One. (03-186-96)
tataḥ samudraṃ paśyāmi yādogaṇaniṣevitam। ratnākaramamitraghna nidhānaṃ payaso mahat ॥03-186-97॥
Then I see the ocean, inhabited by groups of aquatic beings, a great repository of water and gems, a destroyer of foes. (03-186-97)
tataḥ paśyāmi gaganaṃ candrasūryavirājitam। jājvalyamānaṃ tejobhiḥ pāvakārkasamaprabhaiḥ ॥ paśyāmi ca mahīṃ rājan kānanairupaśobhitām ॥03-186-98॥
Then I see the sky resplendent with the moon and sun, shining with radiance like that of fire and the sun. I also see the earth, O king, decorated with forests. (03-186-98)
yajante hi tadā rājan brāhmaṇā bahubhiḥ savaiḥ। kṣatriyāś ca pravartante sarvavarṇānurañjane ॥03-186-99॥
At that time, O king, Brāhmaṇas indeed performed sacrifices with many offerings, and Kṣatriyas engaged in actions that pleased all classes. (03-186-99)
vaiśyāḥ kṛṣiṃ yathānyāyaṃ kārayanti narādhipa। śuśrūṣāyāṃ ca niratā dvijānāṃ vṛṣalās tathā ॥03-186-100॥
O king, the Vaiśyas cause agriculture to be done according to proper law, and the śūdras likewise are engaged in service of the Brāhmaṇas. (03-186-100)
tataḥ paripatann rājan tasya kukṣau mahātmanaḥ। himavantaṃ ca paśyāmi hemakūṭaṃ ca parvatam ॥03-186-101॥
Then, O king, as I was falling into the belly of the great-souled one, I saw the Himavat and the Hemakūṭa mountains. (03-186-101)
niṣadhaṃ cāpi paśyāmi śvetaṃ ca rajatācitam। paśyāmi ca mahīpāla parvataṃ gandhamādanam ॥03-186-102॥
I see the Niṣadha mountain, and also the Śveta mountain, which is silver-adorned; I see as well, O king, the Gandhamādana mountain. (03-186-102)
mandaraṃ manujavyāghra nīlaṃ cāpi mahāgirim। paśyāmi ca mahārāja meruṃ kanakaparvatam॥03-186-103॥
O great king, I see Mandara, O tiger among men, Nīla, as well as the great mountain Meru, the golden mountain. (03-186-103)
mahendraṃ caiva paśyāmi vindhyaṃ ca girimuttamam| malayaṃ cāpi paśyāmi pāriyātraṃ ca parvatam ||03-186-104||
I see Mahendra, and indeed I see the Vindhya, the best of mountains; I see also Malaya, and the Pāriyātra mountain. (03-186-104)
ete cānye ca bahavo yāvantaḥ pṛthivī-dharāḥ। tasyodare mayā dṛṣṭāḥ sarva-ratna-vibhūṣitāḥ ॥03-186-105॥
These and the other many earth-holders, as many as there are, I saw in his belly, all adorned with jewels. (03-186-105)
siṃhān vyāghrān varāhāṃś ca nāgāṃś ca manujādhipa। pṛthivyāṃ yāni ca anyāni sattvāni jagatīpate ॥ tāni sarvāṇi ahaṃ tatra paśyan paryacaram tadā ॥03-186-106॥
O lord of men, I wandered there seeing lions, tigers, boars, serpents, and all other creatures that are on earth, O ruler of the world. (03-186-106)
kukṣau tasya naravyāghra praviṣṭaḥ sañcaran diśaḥ। śakrādīṁś cāpi paśyāmi kṛtsnān devagaṇāṁs tathā ॥03-186-107॥
O tiger among men, having entered his belly and roaming about the directions, I also see Indra and the other gods, all the hosts of deities likewise. (3-186-107)
gandharvāpsaraso yakṣān ṛṣīṃś caiva mahīpate | daityadānavasaṅghāṃś ca kāleyāṃś ca narādhipa || siṃhikatnayaṃś cāpi ye caanye suraśatravaḥ ||03-186-108||
O king, (all) Gandharvas, apsarases, yakṣas, ṛṣis, daityas, dānavas, hosts of kāleyas, sons of Siṃhikā, and all other enemies of the gods (were there). (03-186-108)
yacca kiñcin-mayā loke dṛṣṭaṃ sthāvara-jaṅgamam। tad apaśyam ahaṃ sarvaṃ tasya kukṣau mahātmanaḥ॥ phalāhāraḥ pravicaran kṛtsnaṃ jagad idaṃ tadā॥03-186-109॥
Whatever I saw in the world, whether immovable or movable, I saw all of that within the belly of that great soul, while wandering as a fruit-eater throughout this entire world at that time. (3-186-109)
antaḥ śarīre tasyāhaṃ varṣāṇām adhikaṃ śatam। na ca paśyāmi tasyāham antaṃ dehasya kutracit॥03-186-110॥
I have been inside his body for more than a hundred years, yet I do not see any end to his body anywhere. (03-186-110)
satataṃ dhāvamānaś ca cintayāno viśāṃ pate | āsādayāmi naivāntaṃ tasya rājan mahātmanaḥ ||03-186-111||
O king, even as I constantly run and ponder, O lord of the people, I cannot reach the limit of that great-souled one. (03-186-111)
tatastam-eva śaraṇaṃ gato'smi vidhivat-tadā। vareṇyaṃ varadaṃ devaṃ manasā karmaṇaiva ca ॥03-186-112॥
Then I duly sought refuge only in him at that time — the adorable, boon-bestowing god — by mind and indeed by action as well. (03-186-112)
tato'haṃ sahasā rājan vāyu-vegena niḥsṛtaḥ। mahā-ātmanaḥ mukhāt tasya vivṛtāt puruṣottama ॥03-186-113॥
Then, O king, I suddenly emerged by the force of the wind from the opened mouth of that great-souled being, O best of men. (03-186-113)
tatas tasyaiva śākhāyāṃ nyagrodhasya viśāṃ pate। āste manujaśārdūla kṛtsnam ādāya vai jagat॥03-186-114॥
Then, on that very branch of the banyan tree, O lord of men, he sits, O best of men, having indeed gathered up the whole world. (03-186-114)
tenaiva bālaveṣeṇa śrīvatsakṛtalakṣaṇam। āsīnaṃ taṃ naravyāghra paśyāmyamitatejasam ॥03-186-115॥
O tiger among men, I see him sitting there, in the same boyish appearance, marked by the Śrīvatsa, possessing immeasurable brilliance. (03-186-115)
tato māmabravīdvīra sa bālaḥ prahasanniva। śrīvatsadhārī dyutimānpītavāsā mahādyutiḥ ॥03-186-116॥
Then that boy, bearing the mark of Śrīvatsa, radiant, clad in yellow garments, of great brilliance, smiling as if in sport, said to me, O hero. (03-186-116)
apīdānīṃ śarīre'smin māmake munisattama | uṣitas tvaṃ suviśrānto mārkaṇḍeya bravīhi me ॥03-186-117॥
O Mārkaṇḍeya, now that you have dwelt in my body and are well-rested, O best of sages, please tell me.
muhūrtād atha me dṛṣṭiḥ prādurbhūtā punarnavā। yayā nirmuktam ātmānam apaśyaṁ labdhacetasaṁ॥03-186-118॥
Then, after a moment, my vision became new again; with that vision, I saw myself freed, my awareness restored. (03-186-118)
tasya tāmratalau tāta caraṇau supratiṣṭhitau. sujātau mṛduraktābhiraṅgulībhiralaṅkṛtau ॥03-186-119॥
His feet, dear one, are well-set with coppery soles, well-formed and adorned by soft, reddish toes. (03-186-119)
prayatena mayā mūrdhnā gṛhītvā hy abhivanditau। dṛṣṭvā aparimitaṃ tasya prabhāvam amitaujasaḥ॥03-186-120॥
With effort, I bowed with my head to both of them after taking hold, indeed, having seen the limitless glory of him of immeasurable energy. (03-186-120)
vinayenāñjaliṁ kṛtvā prayatnenopagamya ca। dṛṣṭo mayā sa bhūtātmā devaḥ kamalalocanaḥ ॥03-186-121॥
With humility and folded hands, after approaching with effort, I saw him, the lotus-eyed god, the soul of all beings. (03-186-121)
tam ahaṃ prāñjalir bhūtvā namaskṛtyedam abruvam। jñātum icchāmi deva tvāṃ māyāṃ cemāṃ tavottamām ॥03-186-122॥
Having approached him with joined palms and bowed, I spoke these words: O god, I wish to know you and this supreme illusion of yours. (03-186-122)
āsyenānupraviṣṭo'ham śarīraṃ bhagavaṃstava। dṛṣṭavānakhilāṃllokānsamastāñjaṭhare tava॥03-186-123॥
O Lord, having entered your body by the mouth, I have seen all the worlds, entirely, in your belly. (03-186-123)
tava deva śarīrasthā devadānavarākṣasāḥ | yakṣagandharvanāgāś ca jagatsthāvarajaṅgamam ॥03-186-124॥
O god, within your body reside the gods, demons, rākṣasas, yakṣas, gandharvas, nāgas, and all beings of the universe, both immobile and mobile. (03-186-124)
tvatprasādāc ca me deva smṛtir na parihīyate. drutam antaḥ śarīre te satataṃ paridhāvataḥ ॥03-186-125॥
O god, by your favor my memory is never lost, for within your body it is always swiftly moving everywhere. (03-186-125)
icchāmi puṇḍarīkākṣa jñātuṃ tvāham-anindita। iha bhūtvā śiśuḥ sākṣāt kiṃ bhavān-avatiṣṭhate॥ pītvā jagad-idaṃ viśvam-etad-ākhyātum-arhasi॥03-186-126॥
O lotus-eyed, I wish to know you, O sinless one. Why do you, having truly become a child here, remain thus? Having absorbed this entire universe, you ought to reveal this. (03-186-126)
kimarthaṃ ca jagatsarvaṃ śarīrasthaṃ tavānagha। kiyantaṃ ca tvayā kālam iha stheyam ariṃdama॥03-186-127॥
O sinless one, for what reason is the entire world abiding in your body? And, O conqueror of enemies, for how long should you remain here? (03-186-127)
etadicchāmi deveśa śrotuṃ brāhmaṇakāmyayā। tvattaḥ kamalapatrākṣa vistareṇa yathātatham ॥ mahaddhyetadacintyaṃ ca yadahaṃ dṛṣṭavān prabho ॥03-186-128॥
O Lord of the gods! I wish to hear about this from you, O lotus-eyed one, in detail and as it truly is, out of a desire for knowledge of Brahman. For truly, what I have seen is great and beyond conception, O Lord. (03-186-128)
ityuktaḥ sa mayā śrīmān devadevo mahādyutiḥ। sāntvayan mām idaṃ vākyam uvāca vadatāṃ varaḥ॥03-186-129॥
Thus addressed by me, the auspicious and splendid lord of the gods, consoling me, spoke these words—the best among speakers. (03-186-129)
