03.189
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Markandeya said.
tataś cōrakṣayaṁ kṛtvā dvijebhyaḥ pṛthivīm imām। vājimedhē mahā-yajñē vidhivat kalpayiṣyati ॥03-189-1॥
Then, having established the protection of the city, he will duly bestow this earth upon the Brahmins during the great horse-sacrifice. (03-189-1)
sthaapayitvā sa maryādāḥ svayambhuvihitāḥ śubhāḥ। vanaṃ puṇya-yaśaḥ-karmā jarāvān saṃśrayiṣyati॥ 03-189-2॥
Having established the auspicious boundaries ordained by Svayambhū, he, whose actions are meritorious and renowned, when afflicted by old age, will take refuge in the forest. (03-189-2)
tacchīlam anuvartsyante manuṣyā lokavāsinaḥ। vipraiś corakṣaye caiva kṛte kṣemaṃ bhaviṣyati ॥03-189-3॥
The inhabitants of the world will follow that conduct. When brāhmaṇas act, and theft is eradicated, there will indeed be welfare. (03-189-3)
kṛṣṇājināni śaktīś ca triśūlāny āyudhāni ca। sthāpayan vipraśārdūlo deśeṣu vijiteṣu ca॥03-189-4॥
Placing black-deerskins, spears, tridents, and other weapons, the tiger among Brahmins established them in the regions and in the conquered territories. (03-189-4)
saṁstūyamāno viprendrairmānayāno dvijottamān। kalkiś cariṣyati mahīṁ sadā dasyuvadhe rataḥ॥03-189-5॥
Kalki, honored by and honoring the foremost of Brāhmaṇas, will always roam the earth engaged in destroying miscreants. (03-189-5)
hā tāta hā sute tyevaṃ tās tā vācaḥ sudāruṇāḥ. vikrośamānān subhṛśaṃ dasyūn neṣyati saṅkṣayam ॥03-189-6॥
Those exceedingly harsh words — 'Alas, father! Alas, son!' — as they wail so intensely, will lead the robbers to destruction. (03-189-6)
tato 'dharma-vināśo vai dharma-vṛddhiś ca bhārata। bhaviṣyati kṛte prāpte kriyāvāṁś ca janas tathā ॥03-189-7॥
Then, O Bhārata, the destruction of unrighteousness and the growth of righteousness will occur; when the Kṛta age returns, people too will become devoted to rituals accordingly. (03-189-7)
ārāmāścaiva caityāśca taṭākānyavaṭāstathā। yajñakriyāśca vividhā bhaviṣyanti kṛte yuge ॥03-189-8॥
In the Kṛta Yuga, there will be pleasure-groves, shrines, ponds, groves, and various kinds of sacrificial rituals. (03-189-8)
brāhmaṇāḥ sādhavaś caiva munayaś ca tapasvinaḥ। āśramāḥ sahapāṣaṇḍāḥ sthitāḥ satye janāḥ prajāḥ॥03-189-9॥
Brāhmaṇas, virtuous people, ascetics and austerities, hermitages along with heretics, and all the people and subjects were established in truth. (03-189-9)
jāsyanti sarva-bījāni upyamānāni caiva ha। sarveṣv ṛtuṣu rājendra sarvaṃ sasyaṃ bhaviṣyati॥03-189-10॥
O king, all seeds that are sown will certainly sprout, and in all seasons, all crops will grow. (03-189-10)
narā dāneṣu niratā vrateṣu niyameṣu ca। japayajñaparā viprā dharmakāmā mudā yutāḥ ॥ pālayiṣyanti rājāno dharmeṇemāṃ vasundharām ॥03-189-11॥
Men will be absorbed in giving gifts, in observances and vows; brāhmaṇas will be intent on recitation and sacrifice, eager for righteousness and joined in joy; kings will protect this earth through righteousness. (03-189-11)
vyavahāraratā vaiśyā bhaviṣyanti kṛte yuge। ṣaṭkarmaniratā viprāḥ kṣatriyā rakṣaṇe ratāḥ॥03-189-12॥
In the Kṛta Yuga, Vaiśyas are engaged in trade, Brāhmaṇas are devoted to six duties, and Kṣatriyas are devoted to protection. (03-189-12)
śuśrūṣāyāṃ ratāḥ śūdrās tathā varṇatrayasya ca। eṣa dharmaḥ kṛtayuge tretāyāṃ dvāpare tathā॥ paścime yugakāle ca yaḥ sa te samprakīrtitaḥ॥03-189-13॥
Śūdras and the other three varṇas, engaged in service—this is the prescribed duty in the Kṛta Yuga, the Tretā, and also the Dvāpara; and in the last age, this is what has been declared for you. (03-189-13)
sarvalokasya viditā yugasaṅkhyā ca pāṇḍava। etat te sarvam ākhyātam atītānāgatam mayā॥ vāyu-proktam anusmṛtya purāṇam ṛṣi-saṃstutam॥03-189-14॥
O Pāṇḍava, the number of ages known to all worlds has been declared to you by me—all that is past and future—after recalling the ancient Purāṇa spoken by Vāyu and praised by sages. (03-189-14)
evaṁ saṁsāramārgā me bahuśaścirajīvinā। dṛṣṭāścaivānubhūtāśca tāṁste kathitavānaham ॥03-189-15॥
Thus, I, being long-lived, have seen and experienced many times the paths of worldly existence, and I have related those to you. (03-189-15)
idaṃ caivāparaṃ bhūyaḥ saha bhrātṛbhiracyuta। dharmasaṃśayamokṣārthaṃ nibodha vacanaṃ mama॥03-189-16॥
O Acyuta, together with your brothers, listen to this, and also to another subject I am about to tell for the resolution of a doubt about dharma. (03-189-16)
dharme tvayātmā saṃyojyo nityaṃ dharmabhṛtāṃ vara। dharmātmā hi sukhaṃ rājā pretya ceha ca nandati ॥03-189-17॥
O best of those who uphold dharma, you should always unite yourself with dharma. A king whose nature is dharma indeed enjoys happiness both here and after death. (03-189-17)
nibodha ca śubhāṃ vāṇīṃ yāṃ pravakṣyāmi te'nagha। na brāhmaṇe paribhavaḥ kartavyas te kadācana॥ brāhmaṇo ruṣito hanyād api lokān pratijñayā॥03-189-18॥
O sinless one, listen now to the auspicious words I will say. Never should you insult a Brāhmaṇa; for when angered, a Brāhmaṇa may by his resolve even destroy worlds. (03-189-18)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
mārkaṇḍeyavacaḥ śrutvā kurūṇāṃ pravaro nṛpaḥ। uvāca vacanaṃ dhīmān paramaṃ paramadyutiḥ ॥03-189-19॥
Hearing Mārkaṇḍeya’s speech, the chief among the Kuru kings, wise and resplendent, spoke these exalted words. (03-189-19)
kasmin dharme mayā stheyaṃ prajāḥ saṃrakṣatā mune। kathaṃ ca vartamāno vai na cyaveyaṃ svadharmataḥ॥03-189-20॥
O sage, in which dharma should I abide when protecting the subjects? And how, while abiding in it, shall I not deviate from my own duty? (03-189-20)
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Markaṇḍeya said.
dayāvān sarvabhūteṣu hito rakto'nasūyakaḥ। apatyānām iva sveṣāṃ prajānāṃ rakṣaṇe rataḥ ॥ cara dharmaṃ tyajādharmam pitṝn devāṃś ca pūjaya ॥03-189-21॥
Be compassionate to all beings, act for their benefit, be loving and free from envy; like a father to his own children, be devoted to the protection of your people. Practice virtue, renounce vice, and honour both the ancestors and the gods. (03-189-21)
pramādādyatkṛtaṁ te'bhūtsaṁyagdānena tajjaya। alaṁ te mānamāśritya satataṁ paravānbhava ॥03-189-22॥
Whatever you have done out of carelessness has already occurred; make amends for that properly with charity. Avoid taking pride—do not always become dependent on others. (03-189-22)
vijitya pṛthivīṃ sarvāṃ modamānaḥ sukhī bhava। eṣa bhūto bhaviṣyaś ca dharmas te samudīritaḥ॥03-189-23॥
Conquer all the earth, rejoice, and be happy. This duty for you, both past and future, has been declared. (03-189-23)
na te'sty aviditaṃ kiñcid atītānāgataṃ bhuvi. tasmād imaṃ parikleśaṃ tvaṃ tāta hṛdi mā kṛthāḥ ॥03-189-24॥
There is nothing unknown to you, whether past or future, on earth. Therefore, dear one, do not cause this great distress in your heart. (03-189-24)
eṣa kālo mahābāho api sarvadivaukasām। muhyanti hi prajāstāta kālenābhipracoditāḥ॥03-189-25॥
O mighty-armed one, this Time, even for all the heavenly dwellers, causes beings, dear one, to become deluded, being impelled by Time. (03-189-25)
mā ca te'tra vicāro bhūdyanmayoktaṃ tavānagha। atiśaṅkya vaco hyetaddharmalopo bhavettava ॥03-189-26॥
O sinless one, do not entertain any deliberation here upon what has been said by me to you. For if you excessively doubt this word, it may result in loss of righteousness for you. (03-189-26)
jāto'si prathite vaṃśe kurūṇāṃ bharatarṣabha। karmaṇā manasā vācā sarvam etat samācara ॥03-189-27॥
O foremost among the Bharatas, you are born in the celebrated lineage of the Kurus. Perform all this by action, mind, and speech. (03-189-27)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira said.
yat tvayoktaṃ dvijaśreṣṭha vākyaṃ śrutimanoharam। tathā kariṣye yatnena bhavataḥ śāsanaṃ vibho ॥03-189-28॥
O best of the twice-born, that statement of yours which is delightful to hear—such as you have spoken—I shall carry out your command with effort, O lord. (03-189-28)
na me lobho'sti viprendra na bhayaṁ na ca matsaraḥ। kariṣyāmi hi tatsarvam uktaṁ yat te mayi prabho॥03-189-29॥
O best of Brāhmaṇas, I have no greed, no fear, nor any envy. Indeed, O lord, I will do everything you have spoken to me. (03-189-29)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
śrutvā tu vacanaṃ tasya pāṇḍavasya mahātmanaḥ। prahṛṣṭāḥ pāṇḍavā rājan sahitāḥ śārṅgadhanvanā ॥03-189-30॥
O king, upon hearing the words of that great-souled Pāṇḍava, the Pāṇḍavas became delighted, together with the wielder of the Śārṅga bow. (03-189-30)
tathā kathāṁ śubhāṁ śrutvā mārkaṇḍeyasya dhīmataḥ. vismitāḥ samapadyanta purāṇasya nivedanāt ॥03-189-31॥
Thus, hearing the auspicious story of the wise Mārkaṇḍeya, they became astonished at the narration of the Purāṇa. (03-189-31)
