वैशम्पायन उवाच ततः स पुनरेवाथ मार्कण्डेयं यशस्विनम्। पप्रच्छ विनयोपेतोधर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः॥
Vaishampayana said : Then Dharmaraja Yudhishthira again asked the illustrious Markandeya in all humility.
नैके युगसलान्तास्त्वया दृष्टा महामुने। न चापीह समः कश्चिदायुष्मान् दृश्यते तव॥
"O great Rishi, you have seen many thousands of ages pass away. In this world there is none who is seen to be so long lived as you.
वर्जयित्वा महात्मानं ब्रह्माणं परमेष्ठिनम्। न तेऽस्ति सदृशः कश्चिदायुषा ब्रह्मवित्तम॥
O foremost of Brahmanas, there is none equal to you in years except the high-souled Brahma Parameshthi.
अनन्तरिक्षे लोकेऽस्मिन् देवदानववर्जिते। त्वमेव प्रलये विप्र ब्रह्माणमुपतिष्ठसे॥
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। त्वमेकः सृज्यमानानि भूतानीह प्रपश्यसि॥ चतुर्विधानि विप्रर्षे यथावत् परमेष्ठिना। वायुभूता दिशः कृत्वा विक्षिप्यापस्ततस्ततः॥
When that dissolution ceases and the grandsire awakes, you alone, O great Rishi, see the Parameshti (Brahma) duly recreate the four orders of beings after having filled the cardinal points with air and placed the waters in their proper places.
त्वया लोकगुरुः साक्षात् सर्वलोकपितामहः। आराधितो द्विजश्रेष्ठ तत्परेण समाधिना॥
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.
स्वप्रमाणमथो विप्र त्वया कृतमनेकशः। घोरेणाविश्य तपसा वेधसो निर्जितास्त्वया॥
O Brahmana, you have many times seen with your eyes, the primeval acts of creation. Being deeply engaged in severe asceticism, you have also excelled the celestials themselves.
नारायणाङ्कप्रख्यस्त्वं साम्परायेऽतिपठ्यसे। भगवाननेकशः कृत्वा त्वया विष्णोश्च विश्वकृत्॥ कर्णिकोद्धरणं दिव्यं ब्रह्मणः कामरूपिणः। रत्नालंकारयोगाभ्यां दृग्भयां दृष्टस्त्वया पुरा॥
You are considered to be one who is near Narayana in the next world. In the days of yore you had many times seen the supreme creator of the world with spiritual eyes and with renunciation which first opened your pure and lotuslike heart, the only place where the multiform Vishnu of universal knowledge might be seen.
तस्मात् तवान्तको मृत्युर्जरा वा देहनाशिनी। न त्वां विशति विप्रर्षे प्रसादात् परमेष्ठिनः॥
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 नैवं रविर्नाग्निर्न वायुर्न च चन्द्रमाः। नैवान्तरिक्षं नैवोर्वी शेषं भवति किंचन॥
When neither the sun nor the moon nor fire, nor earth, nor air, nor sky, remains,
तस्मिन्नेकार्णवे लोके नष्टे स्थावरजङ्गमे। नष्टे देवासुरगणे समुत्सन्नमहोरगे॥
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 पद्मोत्पलनिकेतनम्। त्वमेकः सर्वभूतेशं ब्रह्माणमुपतिष्ठसि।॥
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.
एतत् प्रत्यक्षतः सर्वं पूर्वं वृत्तं द्विजोत्तम। तस्मादिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं सर्वहेत्वात्मिकां कथाम्॥ अनुभूतं हि बहुशस्त्वयैकेन द्विजोत्तमा न तेऽस्त्यविदितं किंचित् सर्वलोकेषु नित्यदा॥
O foremost of Brahmanas, you have seen with your own eyes all that happened before. You alone have seen many things by your senses. There is nothing in all the world that is not known to you. Therefore, I eagerly desire to hear all about things.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच हन्त ते वर्णयिष्यामि नमस्कृत्वा स्वयम्भुवे। पुरुषाय पुराणाय शाश्वतायाव्ययाय च॥ अव्यक्ताय सुसूक्ष्माय निर्गुणाय गुणात्मने। स एष पुरुषव्याघ्र पीतवासा जनार्दनः॥
Markandeya said : Bowing down to that self-existent, primordial Being, who is eternal, undeteriorating and inconceivable who is both endued and devoid of attributes, I shall explain to you all. O foremost of men, Janardana clad in yellow garb,
एष कर्ता विकर्ता च भूतात्मा भूतकृत् प्रभुः। अचिन्त्यं महदाश्चर्यं पवित्रमिति चोच्यते॥
Is the great mover and creator of all; he is the soul and the framer of all things. He is the lord of all; he is called great, incomprehensible, wonderful and immaculate,
अनादिनिधनं भूतं विश्वमव्ययमक्षयम्। एष कर्ता न क्रियते कारणं चापि पौरुषे॥२०
He is without beginning and without end, he pervades all the world, he is unchangeable and undeteriorating. He is the creator of all. But himself is increate, the cause of all power.
यद्येष पुरुषो वेद वेदा अपि न तं विदुः। सर्वमाश्चर्यमेवैतन्निर्वृत्तं राजसत्तम॥
His knowledge is greater than that of all the celestials. O foremost of kings, of kings, alter dissolution, all this wonderful creation,
आदितो मनुजव्याघ्रकृत्स्नस्य जगत: क्षये। चत्वार्याहुः सहाणि वर्षाणां तत् कृतं युगम्॥ तस्य तावच्छती संध्या संध्यांशश्च तथाविधः। त्रीणि वर्षसलराणि त्रेतायुगमिहोच्यते॥
O best of men, again comes to life. It is said Krita Yuga constitutes four thousand years, including its morning and evening which comprise four hundred years. Treta Yuga is said to comprise three thousand years.
तस्य तावच्छती संध्या संध्यांशश्च ततः परम्। तथा वर्षसहहरे द्वे द्वापरं परिमाणतः॥
Its morning and evening comprise three hundred years. The Yuga that follows is called Dvapara and it is said to comprise two thousand years.
तस्यापि द्विशती संध्या संध्यांशश्च तथाविधः। सहरमेकं वर्षाणां ततः कलियुगं स्मृतम्॥
Its morning and evening comprise two hundred years. It is said that Kali Yuga constitutes one thousand years,
तस्य वर्षशतं संधिः संध्यांशश्च ततः परम्। संधिसंध्यांशयोस्तुल्यं प्रमाणमुपधारय॥
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 प्रवर्तेत कृतं युगम्। एषा द्वादशसाही युगाख्या परिकीर्तिता॥
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.
एतत् सहरपर्यन्तमहो ब्राह्ममुदाहृतम्। विश्वं हि ब्रह्मभवने सर्वतः परिवर्तते॥ लोकानां मनुजव्याघ्र प्रलयं तं विदुर्बुधाः। अल्पावशिष्टे तु तदा युगान्ते भरतर्षभ॥ सहगन्ते नराः सर्वे प्रायशोऽनृतवादिनः। यज्ञप्रतिनिधिः पार्थ दानप्रतिनिधिस्तथा॥
One full thousand of such cycles would constitute a day of Brahma. O foremost of men, when this universe is withdrawn and taken back within its (original) home, (namely) Brahma himself, that disappearance of all things is called by the learned "the universal dissolution." O best of the Bharata race, at the end of the last mentioned one thousand years, men become addicted to falsehood. O son of Pritha, they then perform sacrifices and gifts by representatives.
व्रतप्रतिनिधिश्चैव तस्मिन् काले प्रवर्तते। ब्राह्मणाः शूद्रकर्माणस्तथा शूद्राधनार्जकाः॥
Vows observed by representatives are also introduced. The Brahmanas perform acts that should be performed by the Shudras and the Shudras take to earn wealth.
क्षत्रधर्मेण वाप्यत्र वर्तयन्ति गते युगे। निवृत्तयज्ञस्वाध्याया दण्डाजिनविवर्जिताः॥ ब्राह्मणाः सर्वभक्षाश्च भविष्यन्ति कलौ युगे। अजपा ब्राह्मणास्तात शूद्रा जपपरायणाः॥
The Kshatriyas also adopt the practices of the Brahmanas. In the Kali Yuga the Brahmanas will abstain from sacrifices and the study of the Vedas. They will give up their staff and deer skin and they will eat everything. O child, the Brahmanas will give up prayer and the Shudras will betake themselves to these.
विपरीते तदा लोके पूर्वरूपं क्षयस्य तत्। बहवो म्लेच्छराजानः पृथिव्यां मनुजाधिप॥
O ruler of men, the course of the world then looks subverted, there are the signs of the universal dissolution. Then will rule over the earth many Mlechchha kings.
मृषानुशासिनः पापा मृषावादपरायणाः। आन्ध्राः शकाः पुलिन्दाश्च यवनाश्च नराधिपाः॥
These sinful kings addicted to falsehood will govern their subjects on principles that are false. The Andhras, the Shakas, the Pulandas, the Yavana kings,
काम्बोजा बाह्निकाः शूरास्तथाऽऽभीरा नरोत्तम। न तदा ब्राह्मणः कश्चित् स्वधर्ममुपजीवति॥
The Kambojas, the Balhikas and the Abhiras will then foremost of men, be endued with courage and they will possess the sovereignty of the earth. O descendant of Bharata, at the end of the Kali Yuga such becomes the state of the world. Not a single Brahmana then adheres to the duties of his order.
क्षत्रियाश्चापि वैश्याश्च विकर्मस्था नराधिपा। अल्पायुषः स्वल्पबलाः स्वल्पवीर्यपराक्रमाः॥
O king, the Kshatriyas and the Vaishyas also follow practices contrary to those of their own orders. Men become short-lived, weak in strength, energy and prowess.
अल्पसाराल्पदेहाश्च तथा सत्याल्पभाषिणः। बहुशून्या जनपदा मृगव्यालावृता दिशः॥
They possess little strength and diminutive bodies; and they hardly become truthful. The country becomes deserts and all directions are filled with beasts and wild animals.
युगान्ते समनुप्राप्ते वृथा च ब्रह्मवादिनः। भोवादिनस्तथा शूद्रा ब्राह्मणाश्चार्यवादिनः॥
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 विशाम्पते॥
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.
रसाश्च मनुजव्याघ्र न तथा स्वादुयोगिनः। बहुप्रजा ह्रस्वदेहाः शीलाचारविवर्जिताः। मुखे भगाः स्त्रियो राजन् भविष्यन्ति युगक्षये॥
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 राजन् भविष्यन्ति युगक्षये॥
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.
अल्पक्षीरास्तथा गावो भविष्यन्ति जनाधिप। अल्पपुष्पफलाचापि पादपा बहुवायसाः॥
O ruler of men, cows yield little milk; trees are crowded with swarms of crows; they do not produce any fruits and flowers.
ब्रह्मवध्यानुलिप्तानां तथा मिथ्याभिशंसिनाम्। नृपाणां पृथिवीपाल प्रतिगृहणन्ति वै द्विजाः॥
O ruler of earth, the Brahmanas, polluted with the sin of killing the twice-born, accept gifts from kings who are addicted to falsehood.
लोभमोहपरीताच मिथ्याधर्मध्वजावृताः। भिक्षार्थं पृथिवीपाल चयूर्यन्ते द्विजैर्दिशः॥
Filled with covetousness and ignorance; and bearing the outward symbols of religion, the Brahınanas afflicting the people of the earth rove about for alms.
करभारभयाद् भीता गृहस्थाः परिमोषकाः। मुनिच्छद्माकृतिच्छन्ना वाणिज्यमुपजीविनः॥ मिथ्या च नखरोमाणिधारयन्ति तदा द्विजाः। अर्थलोभान्नरव्याघ्र तथा च ब्रह्मचारिणः॥
Men, leading domestic life, being afraid of the weight of taxation, become deceivers; while Brahmanas assuming the disguise of ascetics earn wealth by trade. O foremost of men, many Brahmanas become from their avarice of wealth religious mendicants of the Brahmacharya order.
आश्रमेषु वृथाचाराः पानपा गुरुतल्पगाः। इह लौकिकमीहन्ते मांसशोणितवर्धनम्॥
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.
बहुपाषण्डसंकीर्णाः परान्नगुणवादिनः। आश्रमा मनुजव्याघ्र भविष्यन्ति युगक्षये॥
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 भगवान् न तथा पाकशासनः। न चापि सर्वबीजानि सम्यग् रोहन्ति भारत॥
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.
हिंसाभिरामश्च जनस्तथा सम्पद्यतेऽशुचिः। अधर्मफलमत्यर्थं तदा भवति चानघा॥
Unholy both in thought and deed, men take pleasure in envy and malice. O sinless one, the earth becomes full of sin and immorality.
तदा च पृथिवीपाल यो भवेद्धर्मसंयुतः। अल्पायुः स हि मन्तव्यो न हिधर्मोऽस्ति कश्चन।।५२।
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॥
O foremost of men, traders, becoming full of deceit, sell their goods with false weights and measures.
धर्मिष्ठाः परिहीयन्ते पापीयान् वर्धते जनः। धर्मस्य बलहानिः स्यादधर्मश्च बली तथा॥
The virtuous men do not prosper, only the sinful men then exceedingly prosper. Virtue then loses her strength and sin becomes all powerful.
अल्पायुषो दरिद्राश्चधर्मिष्ठा मानवास्तथा। दीर्घायुषः समृद्धाश्च विधर्माणो युगक्षये॥
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.
नागराणां विहारेषु विधर्माणो युगक्षये। अधर्मिष्ठरुपायैश्च प्रजा व्यवहरन्त्युत॥
At the end of the Yuga people behave sinfully even in places of public entertainment, in cities and towns. Men then always seek the accomplishment of their ends by means that are sinful.
संचयेन तथाल्पेन भवन्त्याढ्यमदान्विताः। धनं विश्वासतो न्यस्तं मिथो भूयिष्ठशो नराः॥ हर्तु व्यवसिता राजन् पापाचारसमन्विताः। नैतदस्तीति मनुजा वर्तन्ते निरपत्रपाः॥
Having earned fortunes that are really small, men become intoxicated with the pride of wealth. O king, many men at the end of Yuga try to rob the wealth that has been secretly deposited with them by others out of trust. Full of sinful practices, they shamelessly declare, "they have nothing in deposit.”
पुरुषादानि सत्त्वानि पक्षिणोऽथ मृगास्तथा। नगराणां विहारेषु चैत्येष्वपि च शेरते॥
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॥
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॥
In their sixteenth year men are over-taken by decripitude. And a man's life is soon run out.
क्षीणायुषो महाराज तरुणो वृद्धशीलिनः। तरुणानां च यच्छील तद् वृद्धेषु प्रजायते॥
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 वञ्चयित्वार्हतः पतीन्। व्युच्चरन्त्यपि दुःशीला दासैः पशुभिरेव च॥
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,
वीरपल्यस्तथा नार्यः संश्रयन्ति नरान् नृप। भर्तारमपि जीवन्तमन्यान् व्यभिचरन्त्युत॥
O king, even women who are the wives of good men forget themselves with others even at the life time of their husbands.
तस्मिन् युगसलरान्ते सम्प्राप्ते चायुषः क्षये। अनावृष्टिर्महाराज जायते बहुवार्षिकी॥
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.
ततस्तान्यल्पसारणि सत्त्वानि क्षुधितानि वै। प्रलयं यान्ति भूयिष्ठं पृथिव्यां पृथिवीपते॥
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॥
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 चार्दै च भारत। सर्वं तद् भस्मसाद् भूतं दृश्यते भरतर्षभ॥
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॥
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 प्रविश्य च रसातलम्। देवदानवयक्षाणां भयं जनयते महत्॥
Thereupon it (fire), penetrating the earth and reaching the nether region, creates great terror to the celestials, the Danavas and the Rakshasas.
निर्दहन् नागलोकं च यच्च किञ्चित् क्षिताविह। अधस्तात् पृथिवीपाल सर्वं नाशयते क्षणात्॥
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 साणि शतानि च। निर्दहत्यशिवो वायुः स च संवर्तकोऽनलः॥
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 जगद् विभुः॥
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 महामेधा नभस्यद्भुतदर्शनाः॥
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 केचित् कुमुदसंनिभाः। केचित् किञ्जल्कसंकाशाः केचित् पीताः पयोधराः॥७५
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.
केचिद्धारिद्रसंकाशा: कारण्डवनिभास्तथा। केचित् कमलपत्राभाः केचिद्धिगुलसप्रभा:॥
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.
केचित् पुरवराकाराः केचिद् गजकुलोपमाः। केचिदञ्जनसंकाशाः केचिन्मकरसंनिभाः॥
Some in shape are like palatial cities, some resemble herds of elephants, some are in the form of lizards and some of crocodiles and sharks.
विद्युन्मालापिनद्धाङ्गाः समुत्तिष्ठन्ति वै घनाः। घोररूपा महाराज घोरस्वननिनादिताः। ततो जलधराः सर्वे व्याप्नुवन्ति नभस्तलम्॥
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.
तैरियं पृथिवीं सर्वा सपर्वतवनाकरा। आपूर्यते महाराज सलिलौघपरिप्लुता॥
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। सर्वत: प्लावयन्त्याशु चोदिताः परमेष्ठिना॥
O foremost of men, then commanded by Parameshthi (Brahma) those clouds roaring fearfully soon flood all places.
वर्षमाणा महत् तोयं पूरयन्तो वसुंधराम्। सुघोरमशिवं रौद्रं नाशयन्ति च पावकम्॥
Pouring a great quantity of water and filling the whole earth (with it), they extinguish that fearful, terrible and in auspicious fire.
ततो द्वादशवर्षाणि पयोदास्त उपप्लवे। धाराभिः पूरयन्तो वै चोद्यमाना महात्मना।1८२॥
Commanded by the supreme lord, they shower continually for twelve years and fill the earth with their downpour.
ततः समुद्रः स्वां वेलामतिक्रामति भारत। पर्वताश्च विदीर्यन्ते मही चाप्सु निमज्जति॥
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॥
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। आदिः पद्मालयो देवः पीत्वा स्वपिति भारत॥
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॥
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 लोकेऽस्मिन् भ्रमाम्येकोऽहमाहतः॥
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 विचरन् पार्थिवोत्तम। अपश्यन् सर्वभूतानि वैक्लव्यमगमं ततः॥
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 सुदीर्घ गत्वाहं प्लवमानो नराधिप। श्रान्तः क्वचिन शरणं लभाम्यहमतन्द्रितः॥
O ruler of men, then thus roving about for a long time, I became fatigued; but I did not get any resting place.
ततः कदाचित् पश्यामि तस्मिन् सलिलसंचये। न्यग्रोधं सुमहान्तं वै विशालं पृथिवीपते॥
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 दिव्यास्तरणसंस्तुते॥
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 पद्मेन्दुसदृशाननम्। फुल्लपद्मविशालाक्षं बालं पश्यामि भारत॥
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॥
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 भविष्यं च जानन्नपि नराधिप॥
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 श्रीवत्सकृतभूषणः। साक्षाल्लक्ष्म्या इवावासः स तदा प्रतिभाति मे॥
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 मामब्रवीद् बालः स पद्यनिभलोचनः। श्रीवत्सधारी द्युतिमान् वाक्यं श्रुतिसुखावहम्॥
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 त्वां परिश्रान्तं ततो विश्रामकाक्षिणम्। मार्कण्डेय इहास्स्व त्वं यावदिच्छसि भार्गव॥
"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 शरीरे मे प्रविश्य मुनिसत्तम। आस्स्व भो विहितो वासः प्रसादस्ते कृतो मया॥
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 तेनैवमुक्तस्यासीत् तदा मम। निर्वेदो जीविते दीर्घ मनुष्यत्वे च भारत॥
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 वक्त्रे दैवयोगात् प्रवेशितः॥
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॥
O ruler of men, thus suddenly entering his stomach, I beheld the whole earth (there within it) with all its cities and kingdoms.
गङ्गां शतदुं सीतां च यमुनामथ कौशिकाम्। चर्मण्वती वेत्रवती चन्द्रभागां सरस्वतीम्॥ सिन्धुं चैव विपाशां च नदी गोदावरीमपि। वस्वोकसारां नलिनी नर्मदां चैव भारत॥ नदी तानां च वेणां च पुण्यतोयां शुभावहाम्। सुवेणां कृष्णवेणां च इरामां च महानदीम्॥ वितस्तां च महाराज कावेरी च महानदीम्। शोणं च पुरुषव्याघ्र विशल्यां किम्पुनामपि॥ एताश्चान्याश्च नद्योऽहं पृथिव्यां या नरोत्तम। परिक्रामन् प्रपश्यामि तस्य कुक्षौ महात्मनः॥
O foremost of men when wandering about in his stomach, I saw within it, the Ganga, the Satadru, the Sita, the Yamuna, the Kausaku, the Charmanvati, the Vetravati, the Chandrabhaga, the Sarasvati, the Sindhu, the Vipasa, the Godavari, the Vasvokasara, the Nalini, the Narmada, the Tamra, the Vena of fearful currents and sacred waters, the Suvena, the Krishnavena, the Irama, the Mahanadi, the Vitasta, that large river Kaveri, the Vishalya, the Kimpuna and many others.
ततः समुद्रं पश्यामि यादोगणनिषेवितम्। रत्नाकरममित्रघ्न पयसो निधिमुत्तमम्॥
O chastiser of foes, I saw there also the ocean inhabited by alligators and sharks, that mine of gems, that excellent abode of waters.
तत्र पश्यामि गगनं चन्द्रसूर्यविराजितम्। जाज्वल्यमानं तेजोभिः पावकार्कसमप्रभम्॥
I saw there also the sky adorned with the sun and the moon, blazing in great effulgence and possessing the lustre of the sun.
पश्यामि च महीं राजन् काननैरुपशोभिताम्। यजन्ते हि तदा राजन् ब्राह्मणा बहुभिर्मखैः। :॥
O king, I saw there also the earth beautiful with the forests and woods. O king, (I also saw) many Brahmanas engaged in many sacrifices,
क्षत्रियाश्च प्रवर्तन्ते सर्ववर्णानुरंजनैः। वैश्याः कृषि यथान्यायं कारयन्ति नराधिप॥ शुश्रूषायां च निरता द्विजानां वृषलास्तदा। ततः परिपतन् राजंस्तस्य कुक्षौ महात्मनः॥
Many Kshatriyas engaged in doing good to all the other orders, many Vaishyas engaged in the pursuits of agriculture and many Shudras engaged in serving the Brahmanas. Then wandering in the stomach of that high-souled being,
हिमवन्तं च पश्यामि हेमकूटं च पर्वतम्। निषधं चापि पश्यामि श्वेतं च रजतान्वितम्॥
I saw the mountains of Himavat and Hemakuta. I also saw the Nishada and Shveta abounding in silver.
पश्यामि च महीपाल पर्वतं गन्धमादनम्। मन्दर मनुजव्याघ्र नीलं चापि महागिरिम्॥
O ruler of earth, I saw also the mountain Gandhamadana and foremost of men, I also saw Mandara and the great mountain Nila.
पश्यामि च महाराज मेरुं कनकपर्वतम्। महेन्द्रं चैव पश्यामि विन्ध्यं च गिरिमुत्तमम्॥
O great king, I saw also the golden mountain Meru, also Mahendra and also that excellent mountain Vindhya.
मलयं चापि पश्यामि पारियात्रं च पर्वतम्। एते चान्ये च बहवो यावन्तः पृथिवीधराः॥
I also saw there the mountains of Malaya and Paripatra. These and many mountains.
तस्योदरे मया दृष्टाः सर्वे रत्नविभूषिताः। सिंहान् व्याघ्रान् वराहांश्च पश्यामि मनुजाधिप॥
Were seen by me in his stomach. They were all decked with gems and jewels. O ruler of men, I saw also there the lions, the tigers and the bears.
पृथिव्यां यानि चान्यानि सत्त्वानि जगतीपते। तानि सर्वाण्यहं तत्र पश्यन् पर्यचरं तदा॥
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 संचरन् दिशः। शक्रादींश्चापि पश्यामि कृत्स्नान् देवगणानहम्॥
O foremost of men, having entered his stomach, as I wandered about, I saw the whole race of the celestials, Indra and others,
साध्यान् रुद्रांस्तथाऽऽदित्यान् गुह्यकान् पितरस्तदा। सर्पान् नागान् सुपर्णाश्च वसूनप्यश्विनावपि॥
The Saddhya, the Rudra, the Adityas, the Guhyakas, the Pitris, the Nagas, the birds, the Vasus, the Asmas,
गन्धर्वाप्सरसो यक्षानृषींश्चैव महीपते। दैत्यदानवसङ्घांश्च नागांश्च मनुजाधिप॥
The Gandharvas, the Rishis, the Daityas, the Danavas, the Nagas,
सिंहिकातनयांश्चापि ये चान्ये सुरशत्रवः। यच्च किंचिन्मया लोके दृष्टं स्थावरजङ्गमम्॥
The son of Singhikas and all other enemies of the celestials. Whatever mobile and immobile things I saw on earth.
सर्वं पश्याम्यहं राजस्तस्य कुक्षौ महात्मनः। चरमाणः फलाहारः कृत्स्नं जगदिदं विभो॥ अन्तःशरीरे तस्याहं वर्षाणामधिकं शतम्। न च पश्यामि तस्याहं देहस्यान्तं कदाचन॥
O king, I saw them all in the stomach of that high-souled one. O lord, living on fruits, wandering over the entire universe which was there, I lived within his body for many hundred years. But I did not see the end of his body.
सततधावमानश्च चिन्तयानो विशाम्पते। आसदयामि नैवान्तं तस्य राजन् महात्मनः॥
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.
ततस्तमेव शरणं गतोऽस्मि विधिवत् तदा। वरेण्यं वरदं देवं मनसा कर्मणैव च॥
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 राजन् वायुवेगेन निःसृतः। महात्मनो मुखात् तस्य विवृतात् पुरुषोत्तम॥
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 विशाम्पते। आस्ते मनुजशार्दूल कृत्स्नमादाय वै जगत्॥
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॥
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 मामब्रवीद् बाल: स प्रीतः प्रहसन्निव। श्रीवत्सधारी द्युतिमान् पीतवासा महाद्युतिः॥ अपीदानीं शरीरेऽस्मिन् मामके मुनिसत्तम। उषितस्त्वं सुविश्रान्तो मार्कण्डेय ब्रवीहिमे॥
"O foremost of Rishis, O Markandeya, you were living for sometime within my body, I shall however speak to you."
मुहूर्तादथ मे दृष्टिः प्रादुर्भूता पुनर्नवा। यया निर्मुक्तमात्मानमपश्यं लब्धचेतसम्॥
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.
तस्य ताम्रतलौ तात चरणौ सुप्रतिष्ठितौ। सुजातौ मृदुरक्ताभिरङ्गुलीभिर्विराजितौ॥ प्रयत्लेन मया मूर्धा गृहीत्वा ह्यभिवन्दितौ। दृष्ट्वा परिमितं तस्य प्रभावममितौजसः॥ विनयेनाञ्जलिं कृत्वा प्रयत्नेनोपगम्य ह। दृष्टो मया स भूतात्मा देवः कमललोचनः॥ तमहं प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा नमस्कृत्येदमब्रुवम्। ज्ञातुमिच्छामि देव त्वां मायां चैतां तवोत्तमाम्॥
O child, having seen the inexhaustible prowess of that immeasurably effulgent being, I worshipped his revered and well-shaped feet with soles as bright as the burnished copper and with toes of mild red colour. Having placed them reverentially on my head and joined my hands in humility and having gone to him with all reverence. I saw that Divine Being who is the soul of all things and whose cyes are like the petals vf loius. Ilaving thus bowed to him with joined hands I spoke to him thus, "O God, I desire to know you and also your this wonderful illusion.
आस्येनानुप्रविष्टोऽहं शरीरे भगवंस्तव। दृष्टवानखिलान् सर्वान् समस्तान् जठरे हि ते॥
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 जगत् स्थावरजङ्गमम्॥
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। दुतमन्तःशरीरे ते सततं परिवर्तिनः॥
Though I continuously ran over your body, yet through your grace, O god, my memory did not fail.
निर्गतोऽहमकामस्तु इच्छया ते महाप्रभो। इच्छामि पुण्डरीकाक्ष ज्ञातुं त्वाहमनिन्दितम्॥
O great lord, I have come out through your desire and not mine. O lotus-eyed one, I desire to know you who are faultless.
इह भूत्वा शिशुः साक्षात् किं भवानवतिष्ठते। पीत्वा जगदिदं सर्वमेतदाख्यातुमर्हसि॥
Why do you stay here becoming a boy and swallowing up the universe? You should explain to me all this.
किमर्थं च जगत् सर्वं शरीरस्थं तवानघ। कियन्तं च त्वया कालमिह स्थेयमरिदम॥
O sinless one, O chastiser of foes, why does the universe is within your body? How long will you stay here?
त्वत्तः एतदिच्छामि देवेश श्रोतुं ब्राह्मणकाम्यया। कमलपत्राक्ष विस्तरेण यथातथम्॥
O lord of celestials, I desire to hear all this in detail and as they all happened. O lotus-eyed one, it is not improper for a Brahmana to desire to know it.
महद्ध्येतदचिन्त्यं च यदहं दृष्टवान् प्रभो। इत्युक्तः स मया श्रीमान् देवदेवो महाद्युतिः। सान्त्वयन् मामिदं वाक्यमुवाच वदतां वरः॥
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.