Critical Edition
वैशंपायन उवाच ततः स पुनरेवाथ मार्कण्डेयं यशस्विनम् पप्रच्छ विनयोपेतो धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Then Dharmaraja Yudhishthira again asked the illustrious Markandeya in all humility.
नैके युगसहस्रान्तास्त्वया दृष्टा महामुने न चापीह समः कश्चिदायुषा तव विद्यते वर्जयित्वा महात्मानं ब्राह्मणं परमेष्ठिनम्
AI Translation: O great sage, you have seen the end of many thousands of yugas, and there is no one here who is equal to you in lifespan. Except for the great-souled Brahman, the supreme being.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.2 After 2, B D (except D1-3.5) S ins.: *918 न तेऽस्ति सदृशः कश्चिदायुषा ब्रह्मवित्तम
अनन्तरिक्षे लोकेऽस्मिन्देवदानववर्जिते त्वमेव प्रलये विप्र ब्रह्माणमुपतिष्ठसि
M. N. Dutt: O Brahmana, you worship Brahma at the time of the great dissolution of the universe when this world becomes devoid of sky, the celestials and the Danavas.
प्रलये चापि निर्वृत्ते प्रबुद्धे च पितामहे त्वमेव सृज्यमानानि भूतानीह प्रपश्यसि
AI Translation: And when the dissolution is over, and the Grandfather is awakened, You alone see the beings being created here.
चतुर्विधानि विप्रर्षे यथावत्परमेष्ठिना वायुभूता दिशः कृत्वा विक्षिप्यापस्ततस्ततः
AI Translation: O Brahmanical sage, the four kinds of creation were made by the Supreme Being. Having made the directions in the form of wind and having scattered the waters here and there,
त्वया लोकगुरुः साक्षात्सर्वलोकपितामहः आराधितो द्विजश्रेष्ठ तत्परेण समाधिना
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of Brahmanas, you have worshipped in his own presence the great Lord and the grandsire of all creatures with your soul in great Samadhi.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.6 After 6, K3 B D (except D1.2; D3.5 both marg. sec. m.) ins.: *919 स्वप्रमाणमथो विप्र त्वया कृतमनेकशः घोरेणाविश्य तपसा वेधसो निर्जितास्त्वया नारायणाङ्कप्रख्यस्त्वं सांपरायेऽतिपठ्यसे भगवानेकशः कृत्वा त्वया विष्णोश्च विश्वकृत् कर्णिकोद्धरणं दिव्यं ब्रह्मणः कामरूपिणः रत्नालंकारयोगाभ्यां दृग्भ्यां दृष्टस्त्वया पुरा
तस्मात्सर्वान्तको मृत्युर्जरा वा देहनाशिनी न त्वा विशति विप्रर्षे प्रसादात्परमेष्ठिनः
M. N. Dutt: Hence through the favour of Parameshti, O Brahmana Rishi, neither death nor old age that causes the destruction of the body has any power over you.
यदा नैव रविर्नाग्निर्न वायुर्न च चन्द्रमाः नैवान्तरिक्षं नैवोर्वी शेषं भवति किंचन
M. N. Dutt: When neither the sun nor the moon nor fire, nor earth, nor air, nor sky, remains,
तस्मिन्नेकार्णवे लोके नष्टे स्थावरजङ्गमे नष्टे देवासुरगणे समुत्सन्नमहोरगे
M. N. Dutt: When the world with its mobile and immobile creation being destroyed looks like an ocean, when the celestials, the Asuras and the great Nagas are destroyed,
शयानममितात्मानं पद्मे पद्मनिकेतनम् त्वमेकः सर्वभूतेशं ब्रह्माणमुपतिष्ठसि
M. N. Dutt: When (at such a period) the lord of creatures takes his seat on a lotus and sleeps there then you alone remain to worship him.
एतत्प्रत्यक्षतः सर्वं पूर्ववृत्तं द्विजोत्तम तस्मादिच्छामहे श्रोतुं सर्वहेत्वात्मिकां कथाम्
AI Translation: O best of Brahmins, all this has happened in the past. Therefore, we wish to hear the story that is the essence of all causes.
अनुभूतं हि बहुशस्त्वयैकेन द्विजोत्तम न तेऽस्त्यविदितं किंचित्सर्वलोकेषु नित्यदा
AI Translation: O best of Brahmanas, you have experienced this many times. There is nothing unknown to you in all the worlds.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच हन्त ते कथयिष्यामि नमस्कृत्वा स्वयम्भुवे पुरुषाय पुराणाय शाश्वतायाव्ययाय च
AI Translation: Markandeya said: I shall tell you, having bowed to the Self-existent, To the ancient Person, to the eternal and imperishable one.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.13 After 13ab, K3.4 B D ins.: *920 अव्यक्ताय सुसूक्ष्माय निर्गुणाय गुणात्मने
य एष पृथुदीर्घाक्षः पीतवासा जनार्दनः एष कर्ता विकर्ता च सर्वभावनभूतकृत्
AI Translation: He who is the long-eyed one, wearing yellow garments, Janardana, He is the creator, the transformer, the creator of all beings.
अचिन्त्यं महदाश्चर्यं पवित्रमपि चोत्तमम् अनादिनिधनं भूतं विश्वमक्षयमव्ययम्
AI Translation: It is inconceivable, greatly wonderful, and also the most pure. It is beginningless and endless, the existent, the inexhaustible, and the imperishable.
एष कर्ता न क्रियते कारणं चापि पौरुषे यो ह्येनं पुरुषं वेत्ति देवा अपि न तं विदुः
AI Translation: This is the doer, not the cause, and also the cause, in the case of a man. Even the gods do not know him who knows this man.
सर्वमाश्चर्यमेवैतन्निर्वृत्तं राजसत्तम आदितो मनुजव्याघ्र कृत्स्नस्य जगतः क्षये
AI Translation: O best of kings, this is all a wonder. O tiger among men, from the beginning, at the time of the destruction of the entire world,
चत्वार्याहुः सहस्राणि वर्षाणां तत्कृतं युगम् तस्य तावच्छती संध्या संध्यांशश्च ततः परम्
AI Translation: They say that the Kṛta age lasts for four thousand years. Its twilight lasts for a hundred years, and the twilight-part lasts for a hundred years.
त्रीणि वर्षसहस्राणि त्रेतायुगमिहोच्यते तस्य तावच्छती संध्या संध्यांशश्च ततः परम्
AI Translation: The Treta age is said to be three thousand years. Its twilight is half that, and the remainder is the twilight portion.
तथा वर्षसहस्रे द्वे द्वापरं परिमाणतः तस्यापि द्विशती संध्या संध्यांशश्च ततः परम्
AI Translation: Thus, the Dvāpara age lasts for two thousand years. After that, there is a period of two hundred years, followed by a period of twilight.
सहस्रमेकं वर्षाणां ततः कलियुगं स्मृतम् तस्य वर्षशतं संध्या संध्यांशश्च ततः परम् संध्यासंध्यांशयोस्तुल्यं प्रमाणमुपधारय
M. N. Dutt: Its morning and evening comprise one hundred years. Know that the duration of the morning and evening (of a Yuga) is the same.
क्षीणे कलियुगे चैव प्रवर्तति कृतं युगम् एषा द्वादशसाहस्री युगाख्या परिकीर्तिता
M. N. Dutt: After Kali Yuga is over, Treta Yuga comes again; and thus it is said that all the Yugas comprise a cycle of twelve thousand years.
एतत्सहस्रपर्यन्तमहो ब्राह्ममुदाहृतम् विश्वं हि ब्रह्मभवने सर्वशः परिवर्तते लोकानां मनुजव्याघ्र प्रलयं तं विदुर्बुधाः
AI Translation: This is said to be the thousand-fold end of the Brahma-age. For the entire universe revolves in the abode of Brahma. The wise know this to be the dissolution of the worlds, O tiger among men.
अल्पावशिष्टे तु तदा युगान्ते भरतर्षभ सहस्रान्ते नराः सर्वे प्रायशोऽनृतवादिनः
AI Translation: When the end of the yuga is near, O bull among the Bharatas, and only a little remains, most men will be liars.
यज्ञप्रतिनिधिः पार्थ दानप्रतिनिधिस्तथा व्रतप्रतिनिधिश्चैव तस्मिन्काले प्रवर्तते
AI Translation: At that time, the sacrifice, the gift, and the vow are all present in him.
ब्राह्मणाः शूद्रकर्माणस्तथा शूद्रा धनार्जकाः क्षत्रधर्मेण वाप्यत्र वर्तयन्ति गते युगे
AI Translation: Brahmins who perform the duties of the Shudras, and Shudras who earn wealth, Or those who follow the duties of the Kshatriyas in this age of decline,
निवृत्तयज्ञस्वाध्यायाः पिण्डोदकविवर्जिताः ब्राह्मणाः सर्वभक्षाश्च भविष्यन्ति कलौ युगे
AI Translation: Brahmins will give up sacrificial rites and Vedic studies, will avoid giving balls of rice and water to the dead, and will eat everything in the age of strife.
अजपा ब्राह्मणास्तात शूद्रा जपपरायणाः विपरीते तदा लोके पूर्वरूपं क्षयस्य तत्
AI Translation: O son, the Brahmanas were Ajapas (not reciting any mantra) and the Sudras were engaged in Japa (reciting mantras). When the world was in a state of confusion, that was the first sign of destruction.
बहवो म्लेच्छराजानः पृथिव्यां मनुजाधिप मिथ्यानुशासिनः पापा मृषावादपरायणाः
AI Translation: Many barbarian kings, O lord of men, are wicked, false teachers, devoted to falsehood.
आन्ध्राः शकाः पुलिन्दाश्च यवनाश्च नराधिपाः काम्बोजा और्णिकाः शूद्रास्तथाभीरा नरोत्तम
AI Translation: The Andhras, Shakas, Pulindas, Yavanas, and kings of men, The Kambojas, Ournikas, Shudras, and Abhiras, O best of men,
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.30 After 30, B3 ins.: *921 युगान्ते मनुजव्याघ्र तथाकाराश्च भारत
न तदा ब्राह्मणः कश्चित्स्वधर्ममुपजीवति क्षत्रिया अपि वैश्याश्च विकर्मस्था नराधिप
AI Translation: At that time, no brahmin was able to live by his own duty. O lord of men, even kshatriyas and vaishyas were engaged in wrong occupations.
अल्पायुषः स्वल्पबला अल्पतेजःपराक्रमाः अल्पदेहाल्पसाराश्च तथा सत्याल्पभाषिणः
AI Translation: Short-lived, of little strength, of little splendor and prowess, Of little body, of little range, and likewise of little speech,
बहुशून्या जनपदा मृगव्यालावृता दिशः युगान्ते समनुप्राप्ते वृथा च ब्रह्मचारिणः भोवादिनस्तथा शूद्रा ब्राह्मणाश्चार्यवादिनः
M. N. Dutt: When the end of the Yuga comes, the uttering of the Vedas become futile. The Shudras address (others) saying “Bho;" while the Brahinanas address (others) saying "Noble Sir."
युगान्ते मनुजव्याघ्र भवन्ति बहुजन्तवः न तथा घ्राणयुक्ताश्च सर्वगन्धा विशां पते रसाश्च मनुजव्याघ्र न तथा स्वादुयोगिनः
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of men, at the end of the Yuga animals enormously increase. O rulers of men, perfumes even do not become agreeable to our sense of smell.
बहुप्रजा ह्रस्वदेहाः शीलाचारविवर्जिताः मुखेभगाः स्त्रियो राजन्भविष्यन्ति युगक्षये
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of men, the tastes of things do not become so agreeable to our sense of taste as at other times. Women give birth to numerous children who become of diminutive body, destitute of good conduct and good manners. O king at the end of the Yuga women's mouth serves the purpose of intercourse.
अट्टशूला जनपदाः शिवशूलाश्चतुष्पथाः केशशूलाः स्त्रियो राजन्भविष्यन्ति युगक्षये
M. N. Dutt: O king, at the end of the Yuga, famine ravages the habitations of men and the highways are infested by women of ill fame. O king, all women become hostile to their husbands and destitute of all modesty.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.36 After 36, G1 ins. (the gloss): *922 अट्टमन्नमिति प्राहुः शूलं विक्रयमुच्यते वेदः शिवमिति प्रोक्तं ब्राह्मणाश्च चतुष्पथाः केशो भग इति प्रोक्तस्तं विक्रीयैव भुञ्जते
अल्पक्षीरास्तथा गावो भविष्यन्ति जनाधिप अल्पपुष्पफलाश्चापि पादपा बहुवायसाः
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of men, cows yield little milk; trees are crowded with swarms of crows; they do not produce any fruits and flowers.
ब्रह्मवध्यावलिप्तानां तथा मिथ्याभिशंसिनाम् नृपाणां पृथिवीपाल प्रतिगृह्णन्ति वै द्विजाः
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of earth, the Brahmanas, polluted with the sin of killing the twice-born, accept gifts from kings who are addicted to falsehood.
लोभमोहपरीताश्च मिथ्याधर्मध्वजावृताः भिक्षार्थं पृथिवीपाल चञ्चूर्यन्ते द्विजैर्दिशः
M. N. Dutt: Filled with covetousness and ignorance; and bearing the outward symbols of religion, the Brahınanas afflicting the people of the earth rove about for alms.
करभारभयात्पुंसो गृहस्थाः परिमोषकाः मुनिच्छद्माकृतिच्छन्ना वाणिज्यमुपजीवते
AI Translation: Out of fear of the burden of taxes, householders are evading taxes. He is living by trade, disguised as a sage.
मिथ्या च नखरोमाणि धारयन्ति नरास्तदा अर्थलोभान्नरव्याघ्र वृथा च ब्रह्मचारिणः
AI Translation: At that time, men will wear false nails and hair. For the sake of wealth, they will be like tigers among men, and will falsely practice celibacy.
आश्रमेषु वृथाचाराः पानपा गुरुतल्पगाः ऐहलौकिकमीहन्ते मांसशोणितवर्धनम्
M. N. Dutt: O king, men at such a time behave contrary to the mode of life to which they belong; they become addicted to intoxicating drinks, they become capable of violating even the bed of their preceptors. They are deluded with the desires of this world and they pursue things that only give pleasure ministering to flesh and blood.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.42 After 42, D1.2 S (except G2 M2) ins.: *923 पारलौकिककार्येषु प्रमत्ता भृशनास्तिकाः
बहुपाषण्डसंकीर्णाः परान्नगुणवादिनः आश्रमा मनुजव्याघ्र न भवन्ति युगक्षये
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of men, at the end of the Yuga the hermitage of ascetics becomes crowded with sinful and insolent wretches who always praise the life of dependence.
यथर्तुवर्षी भगवान्न तथा पाकशासनः न तदा सर्वबीजानि सम्यग्रोहन्ति भारत अधर्मफलमत्यर्थं तदा भवति चानघ
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, the illustrious chastiser of Paka (Indra) never showers rain according to the season. The seeds that are scattered on earth never spring forth.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.44 After 44cd, N (except Ś1 K1.2) ins.: *924 हिंसाभिरामश्च जनस्तथा संपद्यतेऽशुचिः On the other hand S ins. after 14: *925 फलं धर्मस्य राजेन्द्र सर्वत्र परिहीयते
तथा च पृथिवीपाल यो भवेद्धर्मसंयुतः अल्पायुः स हि मन्तव्यो न हि धर्मोऽस्ति कश्चन
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of earth, he who becomes virtuous in such periods does not at all live long. The earth becomes devoid of virtue in every shape.
भूयिष्ठं कूटमानैश्च पण्यं विक्रीणते जनाः वणिजश्च नरव्याघ्र बहुमाया भवन्त्युत
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of men, traders, becoming full of deceit, sell their goods with false weights and measures.
धर्मिष्ठाः परिहीयन्ते पापीयान्वर्धते जनः धर्मस्य बलहानिः स्यादधर्मश्च बली तथा
M. N. Dutt: The virtuous men do not prosper, only the sinful men then exceedingly prosper. Virtue then loses her strength and sin becomes all powerful.
अल्पायुषो दरिद्राश्च धर्मिष्ठा मानवास्तदा दीर्घायुषः समृद्धाश्च विधर्माणो युगक्षये
M. N. Dutt: Those that are devoted to virtue then become poor and short-lived. At the end of the Yuga those that are sinful become wealthy and longlived.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.48 After 48, B3 Dn D4.6 ins. (cf. 51c, 48d): *926 नगराणां विहारेषु विधर्माणो युगक्षये
अधर्मिष्ठैरुपायैश्च प्रजा व्यवहरन्त्युत संचयेनापि चाल्पेन भवन्त्याढ्या मदान्विताः
AI Translation: And the people are engaged in unrighteous means of livelihood. And even with little accumulation, they become rich and proud.
धनं विश्वासतो न्यस्तं मिथो भूयिष्ठशो नराः हर्तुं व्यवसिता राजन्मायाचारसमन्विताः
AI Translation: People, in their mutual dealings, have deposited wealth with the trust that it will be returned. But, O king, they are determined to steal it, and are endowed with the practice of deceit.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.50 After 50, B3 D (except D1-3.5) ins.: *927 नैतदस्तीति मनुजा वर्तन्ति निरपत्रपाः
पुरुषादानि सत्त्वानि पक्षिणोऽथ मृगास्तथा नगराणां विहारेषु चैत्येष्वपि च शेरते
M. N. Dutt: Beast of prey and other animals and birds are seen to lie down in places of public entertainments, in cities and towns, as well as in sacred temples.
सप्तवर्षाष्टवर्षाश्च स्त्रियो गर्भधरा नृप दशद्वादशवर्षाणां पुंसां पुत्रः प्रजायते
M. N. Dutt: O king, girls of seven and eight years of age, give birth to children and boys of ten or twelve years beget offspring.
भवन्ति षोडशे वर्षे नराः पलितिनस्तथा आयुःक्षयो मनुष्याणां क्षिप्रमेव प्रपद्यते
M. N. Dutt: In their sixteenth year men are over-taken by decripitude. And a man's life is soon run out.
क्षीणे युगे महाराज तरुणा वृद्धशीलिनः तरुणानां च यच्छीलं तद्वृद्धेषु प्रजायते
M. N. Dutt: O great king, when men become so shortlived, mere youths act like old men, while all that is seen in the youths is seen in old men.
विपरीतास्तदा नार्यो वञ्चयित्वा रहः पतीन् व्युच्चरन्त्यपि दुःशीला दासैः पशुभिरेव च
M. N. Dutt: Women, prone to impropriety of conduct and distinguished by bad manners, deceive even the best of husbands and forget themselves with servants and slaves, even with animals,
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.55 After 55, N (Ś1 K1.2.4 D1.2.5 om. the prior half of line 1; D5 reading the same in marg. sec. m.) ins.: *928 वीरपत्न्यस्तथा नार्यः संश्रयन्ति नरान्नृप भर्तारमपि जीवन्तमन्यान्व्यभिचरन्त्युत
तस्मिन्युगसहस्रान्ते संप्राप्ते चायुषः क्षये अनावृष्टिर्महाराज जायते बहुवार्षिकी
M. N. Dutt: O king, at the end of those thousands of years and when men become so short-lived, a draught takes place which extends for many years.
ततस्तान्यल्पसाराणि सत्त्वानि क्षुधितानि च प्रलयं यान्ति भूयिष्ठं पृथिव्यां पृथिवीपते
M. N. Dutt: O lord of earth, then men and (other) creatures, possessing but little strength and vitality, die of starvation by thousands.
ततो दिनकरैर्दीप्तैः सप्तभिर्मनुजाधिप पीयते सलिलं सर्वं समुद्रेषु सरित्सु च
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of men, seven blazing suns then appear in the sky and drink up all the waters of the earth that are in the rivers and in the scas.
यच्च काष्ठं तृणं चापि शुष्कं चार्द्रं च भारत सर्वं तद्भस्मसाद्भूतं दृश्यते भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, O best of the Bharata race, then everything of the nature of wood and grass, whether dry or wet, is burnt down and reduced to ashes.
ततः संवर्तको वह्निर्वायुना सह भारत लोकमाविशते पूर्वमादित्यैरुपशोषितम्
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, then the fire (called) Samvartaka helped by the wind appears on earth which has been already burnt (to ashes) by the seven suns.
ततः स पृथिवीं भित्त्वा समाविश्य रसातलम् देवदानवयक्षाणां भयं जनयते महत्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon it (fire), penetrating the earth and reaching the nether region, creates great terror to the celestials, the Danavas and the Rakshasas.
निर्दहन्नागलोकं च यच्च किंचित्क्षिताविह अधस्तात्पृथिवीपाल सर्वं नाशयते क्षणात्
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of earth, burning down the nether region and also everything on this earth, that fire then destroys all things in a moment.
ततो योजनविंशानां सहस्राणि शतानि च निर्दहत्यशिवो वायुः स च संवर्तकोऽनलः
M. N. Dutt: That Samvartaka fire, helped by that inauspicious wind, consume this world which extends for hundreds of thousands of yojanas.
सदेवासुरगन्धर्वं सयक्षोरगराक्षसम् ततो दहति दीप्तः स सर्वमेव जगद्विभुः
M. N. Dutt: That lord of all things, that fire, blazing forth in great effulgence, burns down this universe with the celestials, the Asuras, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the Nagas and the Rakshasas.
ततो गजकुलप्रख्यास्तडिन्मालाविभूषिताः उत्तिष्ठन्ति महामेघा नभस्यद्भुतदर्शनाः
M. N. Dutt: Then there rise in the sky great masses of clouds resembling herds of elephants all adorned with garlands of lightning beautiful to look at.
केचिन्नीलोत्पलश्यामाः केचित्कुमुदसंनिभाः केचित्किञ्जल्कसंकाशाः केचित्पीताः पयोधराः
M. N. Dutt: Some of them are of the colour of blue lotus, some like lilies, some like the colour of the filaments of the lotus and some are red.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.66 After 66ab, T2 ins.: *929 कारण्डकनिभाः केचित्केचिदिङ्गुलिकप्रभाः
केचिद्धारिद्रसंकाशाः काकाण्डकनिभास्तथा केचित्कमलपत्राभाः केचिद्धिङ्गुलकप्रभाः
M. N. Dutt: Some are yellow as turmeric, some are of the colour of a crow's egg, some are like that of the lotus leaves and some red as Vermilion.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.67 After 67ab, M2 ins.: *930 केचिद्दारिद्र्यसंकाशाः केचित्पीताः पयोधराः
केचित्पुरवराकाराः केचिद्गजकुलोपमाः केचिदञ्जनसंकाशाः केचिन्मकरसंस्थिताः विद्युन्मालापिनद्धाङ्गाः समुत्तिष्ठन्ति वै घनाः
AI Translation: Some are shaped like the best of cities, some are like the best of elephants, Some are like collyrium, some are like makara-shaped, The clouds rise up, their
घोररूपा महाराज घोरस्वननिनादिताः ततो जलधराः सर्वे व्याप्नुवन्ति नभस्तलम्
M. N. Dutt: O great king, the clouds adorned with garlands of lightning that gather in the sky on that occasion, are terrible to behold and they fearfully roar. Those masses of clouds charged with rain soon cover the whole of the firmament.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.69 After 69, S ins.: *931 गर्जन्तः पृथिवीपाल पृथिवीधरसंनिभाः
तैरियं पृथिवी सर्वा सपर्वतवनाकरा आपूर्यते महाराज सलिलौघपरिप्लुता
M. N. Dutt: O great king, those masses of clouds then flood with water the whole earth with her mountains, forests and mines.
ततस्ते जलदा घोरा राविणः पुरुषर्षभ सर्वतः प्लावयन्त्याशु चोदिताः परमेष्ठिना
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of men, then commanded by Parameshthi (Brahma) those clouds roaring fearfully soon flood all places.
वर्षमाणा महत्तोयं पूरयन्तो वसुंधराम् सुघोरमशिवं रौद्रं नाशयन्ति च पावकम्
M. N. Dutt: Pouring a great quantity of water and filling the whole earth (with it), they extinguish that fearful, terrible and in auspicious fire.
ततो द्वादश वर्षाणि पयोदास्त उपप्लवे धाराभिः पूरयन्तो वै चोद्यमाना महात्मना
M. N. Dutt: Commanded by the supreme lord, they shower continually for twelve years and fill the earth with their downpour.
ततः समुद्रः स्वां वेलामतिक्रामति भारत पर्वताश्च विशीर्यन्ते मही चापि विशीर्यते
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, the ocean then over-floods it bounds; the mountains fall down in fragments and the earth sinks under the increasing flood.
सर्वतः सहसा भ्रान्तास्ते पयोदा नभस्तलम् संवेष्टयित्वा नश्यन्ति वायुवेगपराहताः
M. N. Dutt: Then suddenly moved by the wind, those cloud go over the entire expanse of the sky and then disappear from the view.
ततस्तं मारुतं घोरं स्वयम्भूर्मनुजाधिप आदिपद्मालयो देवः पीत्वा स्वपिति भारत
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of men, O descendant of Bharata, the Self Create, lord, the first cause, the deity who so abode is the lotus (Lakshmi) drinks up these fearful winds and goes then to sleep.
तस्मिन्नेकार्णवे घोरे नष्टे स्थावरजङ्गमे नष्टे देवासुरगणे यक्षराक्षसवर्जिते
M. N. Dutt: Then when earth becomes one great ocean, when all mobile and immobile creatures have been destroyed, when the celestials and the Asuras are annihilated, when the Yakshas and the Rakshasas are no more,
निर्मनुष्ये महीपाल निःश्वापदमहीरुहे अनन्तरिक्षे लोकेऽस्मिन्भ्रमाम्येकोऽहमादृतः
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of earth, when there is no human being, when trees and wild animals have disappeared, when the firmament itself has ceased to exist, I alone in affliction rove about.
एकार्णवे जले घोरे विचरन्पार्थिवोत्तम अपश्यन्सर्वभूतानि वैक्लव्यमगमं परम्
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of kings, once thus roving over that one great ocean, my heart was filled with great affliction on not seeing any creature.
ततः सुदीर्घं गत्वा तु प्लवमानो नराधिप श्रान्तः क्वचिन्न शरणं लभाम्यहमतन्द्रितः
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of men, then thus roving about for a long time, I became fatigued; but I did not get any resting place.
ततः कदाचित्पश्यामि तस्मिन्सलिलसंप्लवे न्यग्रोधं सुमहान्तं वै विशालं पृथिवीपते
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of earth, thereupon one day I saw in that great expanse of water a great and wide extending banian tree.
शाखायां तस्य वृक्षस्य विस्तीर्णायां नराधिप पर्यङ्के पृथिवीपाल दिव्यास्तरणसंस्तृते
M. N. Dutt: O great king, O descendant of Bharata, I then saw seated on a cot overlaid with a celestials bed and attached to one of the farextending boughs of that banian trce.
उपविष्टं महाराज पूर्णेन्दुसदृशाननम् फुल्लपद्मविशालाक्षं बालं पश्यामि भारत
M. N. Dutt: A boy with a face as beautiful as the lotus or the moon, O ruler of men, with eyes as large as the petals of full blown lotuses.
ततो मे पृथिवीपाल विस्मयः सुमहानभूत् कथं त्वयं शिशुः शेते लोके नाशमुपागते
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of earth, thereupon I was filled with great astonishment and (I asked myself) "how can this child alone lie here when all the world is destroyed.”
तपसा चिन्तयंश्चापि तं शिशुं नोपलक्षये भूतं भव्यं भविष्यच्च जानन्नपि नराधिप
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of men, though I knew the Present, the Past and the Future and though I took the help of ascetic meditation, I could not learn anything about the boy.
अतसीपुष्पवर्णाभः श्रीवत्सकृतलक्षणः साक्षाल्लक्ष्म्या इवावासः स तदा प्रतिभाति मे
M. N. Dutt: Possessing the lustre of the Atasi flower and adorned with the mark of Srivatsa, he appeared to me as if he were the abode of Lakshmi.
ततो मामब्रवीद्बालः स पद्मनिभलोचनः श्रीवत्सधारी द्युतिमान्वाक्यं श्रुतिसुखावहम्
M. N. Dutt: That lotus-eyed and greatly effulgent boy with the mark of Srivatsa then thus spoke to me in words highly pleasant to the ear.
जानामि त्वा परिश्रान्तं तात विश्रामकाङ्क्षिणम् मार्कण्डेय इहास्स्व त्वं यावदिच्छसि भार्गव
M. N. Dutt: "O child, I know you are fatigued and you are eager for rest. O descendant of Bhrigu, O Markandeya, rest here as long as you like.
अभ्यन्तरं शरीरं मे प्रविश्य मुनिसत्तम आस्स्व भो विहितो वासः प्रसादस्ते कृतो मया
M. N. Dutt: foremost of Rishis, enter into my body and rest there. That is the place assigned to you by me. I am gratified with you."
ततो बालेन तेनैवमुक्तस्यासीत्तदा मम निर्वेदो जीविते दीर्घे मनुष्यत्वे च भारत
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, thus addressed by that boy, a sense of total disregard possessed me in respect both of my long life and state of manhood.
ततो बालेन तेनास्यं सहसा विवृतं कृतम् तस्याहमवशो वक्त्रं दैवयोगात्प्रवेशितः
M. N. Dutt: Then suddenly that boy opened his mouth and as fate would have it, I having lost all power of locomotion, entered his mouth.
ततः प्रविष्टस्तत्कुक्षिं सहसा मनुजाधिप सराष्ट्रनगराकीर्णां कृत्स्नां पश्यामि मेदिनीम्
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of men, thus suddenly entering his stomach, I beheld the whole earth (there within it) with all its cities and kingdoms.
गङ्गां शतद्रुं सीतां च यमुनामथ कौशिकीम् चर्मण्वतीं वेत्रवतीं चन्द्रभागां सरस्वतीम्
AI Translation: Ganga, Shatadru, Sita, Yamuna, and Koushiki, Charmanvati, Vetravati, Chandrabhaga, and Sarasvati,
सिन्धुं चैव विपाशां च नदीं गोदावरीमपि वस्वोकसारां नलिनीं नर्मदां चैव भारत
AI Translation: and the Sindhu, the Vipasha, the Godavari, the Vasokasara, the Nalini, and the Narmada, O descendant of Bharata.
नदीं ताम्रां च वेण्णां च पुण्यतोयां शुभावहाम् सुवेणां कृष्णवेणां च इरामां च महानदीम् शोणं च पुरुषव्याघ्र विशल्यां कम्पुनामपि
AI Translation: The rivers Tamra, Venna, Punyatoya, and Shubhavahā, Suvena, Krishnavena, Irama, and the great river, The river Shona, Purushavyagra, Vishalya, and Kampu.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.95 After 95cd, N (except K4 Dc) T2 (marg. sec. m.) M1 ins.: *932 वितस्तां च महाराज कावेरीं च महानदीम्
एताश्चान्याश्च नद्योऽहं पृथिव्यां या नरोत्तम परिक्रामन्प्रपश्यामि तस्य कुक्षौ महात्मनः
AI Translation: O best of men, I see these and other rivers on the earth, as I wander in the belly of that great soul.
ततः समुद्रं पश्यामि यादोगणनिषेवितम् रत्नाकरममित्रघ्न निधानं पयसो महत्
M. N. Dutt: O chastiser of foes, I saw there also the ocean inhabited by alligators and sharks, that mine of gems, that excellent abode of waters.
ततः पश्यामि गगनं चन्द्रसूर्यविराजितम् जाज्वल्यमानं तेजोभिः पावकार्कसमप्रभैः पश्यामि च महीं राजन्काननैरुपशोभिताम्
M. N. Dutt: I saw there also the sky adorned with the sun and the moon, blazing in great effulgence and possessing the lustre of the sun.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.98 After 98, S ins.: *933 सपर्वतवनद्वीपां निमग्नाशतसंकुलाम्
यजन्ते हि तदा राजन्ब्राह्मणा बहुभिः सवैः क्षत्रियाश्च प्रवर्तन्ते सर्ववर्णानुरञ्जने
AI Translation: At that time, O king, Brahmins perform many sacrifices, and Kshatriyas also engage in the welfare of all the castes.
वैश्याः कृषिं यथान्यायं कारयन्ति नराधिप शुश्रूषायां च निरता द्विजानां वृषलास्तथा
AI Translation: The Vaishyas make the people work in agriculture according to the rules. The Shudras are engaged in serving the Brahmanas.
ततः परिपतन्राजंस्तस्य कुक्षौ महात्मनः हिमवन्तं च पश्यामि हेमकूटं च पर्वतम्
AI Translation: Then, O king, I fell into the womb of that noble one, And I saw the Himalayas and the mountain Hemakūṭa.
निषधं चापि पश्यामि श्वेतं च रजताचितम् पश्यामि च महीपाल पर्वतं गन्धमादनम्
AI Translation: I see the mountain Niṣadha, white and covered with silver. I see the mountain Gandhamādana, king of the earth.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.102 After 102a, D3 ins.: *933 पारियात्रं च पर्वतम् नैषधं चापि पश्यामि
मन्दरं मनुजव्याघ्र नीलं चापि महागिरिम् पश्यामि च महाराज मेरुं कनकपर्वतम्
AI Translation: O tiger among men, I see Mandara, the great mountain Nila, and the great mountain Meru, the golden mountain.
महेन्द्रं चैव पश्यामि विन्ध्यं च गिरिमुत्तमम् मलयं चापि पश्यामि पारियात्रं च पर्वतम्
AI Translation: I see the great Indra, and the excellent mountain Vindhya, and also see the Malaya and Pariyatra mountains.
एते चान्ये च बहवो यावन्तः पृथिवीधराः तस्योदरे मया दृष्टाः सर्वरत्नविभूषिताः
AI Translation: And many others, as many as there are supporters of the earth, I saw them all in his belly, adorned with all jewels.
सिंहान्व्याघ्रान्वराहांश्च नागांश्च मनुजाधिप पृथिव्यां यानि चान्यानि सत्त्वानि जगतीपते तानि सर्वाण्यहं तत्र पश्यन्पर्यचरं तदा
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of the earth, all the other creatures that are on earth were all seen by me in his stomach as I was wandering about there.
कुक्षौ तस्य नरव्याघ्र प्रविष्टः संचरन्दिशः शक्रादींश्चापि पश्यामि कृत्स्नान्देवगणांस्तथा
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of men, having entered his stomach, as I wandered about, I saw the whole race of the celestials, Indra and others,
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.107 After 107, N (B2 om.) ins.: *934 साध्यान्रुद्रांस्तथादित्यान्गुह्यकान्पितरस्तथा सर्पान्नागान्सुपर्णांश्च वसूनप्यश्विनावपि
गन्धर्वाप्सरसो यक्षानृषींश्चैव महीपते दैत्यदानवसंघांश्च कालेयांश्च नराधिप सिंहिकातनयांश्चापि ये चान्ये सुरशत्रवः
M. N. Dutt: The Gandharvas, the Rishis, the Daityas, the Danavas, the Nagas,
यच्च किंचिन्मया लोके दृष्टं स्थावरजङ्गमम् तदपश्यमहं सर्वं तस्य कुक्षौ महात्मनः फलाहारः प्रविचरन्कृत्स्नं जगदिदं तदा
AI Translation: Whatever I saw in the world, whether moving or unmoving, I saw all that in the belly of that great soul. Wandering about, subsisting on fruits, I saw the entire world at that time.
अन्तः शरीरे तस्याहं वर्षाणामधिकं शतम् न च पश्यामि तस्याहमन्तं देहस्य कुत्रचित्
AI Translation: In his body I have lived for more than a hundred years, and I do not see any end to his body anywhere.
सततं धावमानश्च चिन्तयानो विशां पते आसादयामि नैवान्तं तस्य राजन्महात्मनः
M. N. Dutt: O king, though I continuously roved about within his body in great anxiety, I could not find the limit of the body of that high-souled one.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.111 After 111ab, S ins.: *935 भ्रमंस्तत्र महीपाल यदा वर्षगणान्बहून्
ततस्तमेव शरणं गतोऽस्मि विधिवत्तदा वरेण्यं वरदं देवं मनसा कर्मणैव च
M. N. Dutt: Then in both thought and deed I sought the protection of that boon-giving and preeminently great deity and duly acknowledged his superiority.
ततोऽहं सहसा राजन्वायुवेगेन निःसृतः महात्मनो मुखात्तस्य विवृतात्पुरुषोत्तम
M. N. Dutt: O king, O foremost of men, then I suddenly came out of the open mouth of that high-souled one by means of a great gust of wind.
ततस्तस्यैव शाखायां न्यग्रोधस्य विशां पते आस्ते मनुजशार्दूल कृत्स्नमादाय वै जगत्
M. N. Dutt: O king, foremost of men, I then saw seated on the branch of the banian tree that immeasurably effulgent being in the form of a boy, with the mark of Srivatsa, who had swallowed up the universe.
तेनैव बालवेषेण श्रीवत्सकृतलक्षणम् आसीनं तं नरव्याघ्र पश्याम्यमिततेजसम्
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of men, that greatly effulgent boy with the mark of Srivatsa and with yellow robes on, being gratified with me smilingly spoke to me,
ततो मामब्रवीद्वीर स बालः प्रहसन्निव श्रीवत्सधारी द्युतिमान्पीतवासा महाद्युतिः
AI Translation: Then the hero, the boy, said to me, smiling as it were: The glorious one wearing the Srivatsa mark, clad in yellow robes, of great splendor,
अपीदानीं शरीरेऽस्मिन्मामके मुनिसत्तम उषितस्त्वं सुविश्रान्तो मार्कण्डेय ब्रवीहि मे
AI Translation: O best of sages, you have now stayed in this body of mine for a long time. O Markandeya, you have rested well. Tell me.
मुहूर्तादथ मे दृष्टिः प्रादुर्भूता पुनर्नवा यया निर्मुक्तमात्मानमपश्यं लब्धचेतसम्
M. N. Dutt: As he said to me, within that very moment, I acquired as if new sight; in consequence of which I saw myself possessed of true knowledge and freed from the illusions of the world.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.118 After 118ab, B1 ins.: *936 तं दृष्ट्वा देवदेवेशं मुनिर्वचनमब्रुवम्
तस्य ताम्रतलौ तात चरणौ सुप्रतिष्ठितौ सुजातौ मृदुरक्ताभिरङ्गुलीभिरलंकृतौ
AI Translation: His feet, O father, are well-placed on the copper-colored ground, Adorned with soft, red fingers.
प्रयतेन मया मूर्ध्ना गृहीत्वा ह्यभिवन्दितौ दृष्ट्वापरिमितं तस्य प्रभावममितौजसः
AI Translation: Having bowed to them with my head, I have worshipped them with great effort. Seeing the immeasurable power of that one of immeasurable energy,
विनयेनाञ्जलिं कृत्वा प्रयत्नेनोपगम्य च दृष्टो मया स भूतात्मा देवः कमललोचनः
AI Translation: Having bowed with humility, having approached with effort, I have seen that Self-existent One, the god with lotus eyes.
तमहं प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा नमस्कृत्येदमब्रुवम् ज्ञातुमिच्छामि देव त्वां मायां चेमां तवोत्तमाम्
AI Translation: Then, with folded hands, I bowed to him and said this: "I wish to know you, O god, and this supreme illusion of yours."
आस्येनानुप्रविष्टोऽहं शरीरं भगवंस्तव दृष्टवानखिलाँल्लोकान्समस्ताञ्जठरे तव
M. N. Dutt: O excellent one, having entered into your body through your mouth, I have seen the entire universe in your stomach.
तव देव शरीरस्था देवदानवराक्षसाः यक्षगन्धर्वनागाश्च जगत्स्थावरजङ्गमम्
M. N. Dutt: O god, the celestials, the Danavas, the Rakshasas, the Yakshsas, the Gandharvas, the Nagas, may the whole universe mobile immobile are all within your body.
त्वत्प्रसादाच्च मे देव स्मृतिर्न परिहीयते द्रुतमन्तः शरीरे ते सततं परिधावतः
M. N. Dutt: Though I continuously ran over your body, yet through your grace, O god, my memory did not fail.
Supplementary Passages:
3.186.125 After 125, B D (except D1.2.5; D3 marg. sec. m.) ins.: *937 निर्गतोऽहमकामस्तु इच्छया ते महाप्रभो
इच्छामि पुण्डरीकाक्ष ज्ञातुं त्वाहमनिन्दित इह भूत्वा शिशुः साक्षात्किं भवानवतिष्ठते पीत्वा जगदिदं विश्वमेतदाख्यातुमर्हसि
M. N. Dutt: Why do you stay here becoming a boy and swallowing up the universe? You should explain to me all this.
किमर्थं च जगत्सर्वं शरीरस्थं तवानघ कियन्तं च त्वया कालमिह स्थेयमरिंदम
M. N. Dutt: O sinless one, O chastiser of foes, why does the universe is within your body? How long will you stay here?
एतदिच्छामि देवेश श्रोतुं ब्राह्मणकाम्यया त्वत्तः कमलपत्राक्ष विस्तरेण यथातथम् महद्ध्येतदचिन्त्यं च यदहं दृष्टवान्प्रभो
AI Translation: O Lord of the gods, I wish to hear this out of a desire for knowledge, from you, O lotus-eyed one, in detail and as it really is. For this is
इत्युक्तः स मया श्रीमान्देवदेवो महाद्युतिः सान्त्वयन्मामिदं वाक्यमुवाच वदतां वरः
M. N. Dutt: lord, what I have seen is wonderful and inconceivable.” Having been thus addressed by me, that highly effulgent and blessed god of gods, that foremost of all speakers, duly consoling me, thus spoke to me.