Shloka 6
Yugapramāṇa–Kaliyuga-lakṣaṇa–Pralaya-kathā
Markandeya’s Account of Yugas, Kali Signs, and Dissolution
स ते दास्यति राजर्षियजमानोडर्थितो धनम् । तत आदाय विष्रषषे प्रतिगृह्य धनं बहु,वे राजर्षि इन दिनों यज्ञ कर रहे हैं, अत: इस अवसरपर यदि आप उनसे माँगेंगे तो वे आपको अधिक धन देंगे। ब्रह्मर्ष! वहाँसे प्रचुर धन लाकर भरण-पोषण करनेयोग्य इन पुत्रोंको बाँट दीजिये; फिर इच्छानुसार वनको चलिये। धर्मज्ञ महात्माओंने यही परम धर्म बताया है!
sa te dāsyati rājarṣi-yajamāno ’rthito dhanam | tata ādāya viprarṣe pratigṛhya dhanaṃ bahu ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “That royal sage, now serving as the yajamāna in sacrifice, will grant you wealth when you ask. Therefore, O brahmin-seer, accept abundant riches from him; bring them back, distribute them among these sons who are fit to be maintained, and then go to the forest as you wish. Those wise in dharma have declared this the highest course of righteousness.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before pursuing personal renunciation, one should fulfill dharma by securing rightful means of support—here, requesting and accepting a legitimate gift from a sacrificer—and ensuring dependents (sons) are provided for; this is presented as a ‘highest dharma’ by the wise.
Mārkaṇḍeya advises a brahmin-seer to approach a royal sage who is currently performing a sacrifice; because a yajamāna is disposed to give, he will grant abundant wealth. The recipient should bring it back, distribute it for the maintenance of his sons, and only then proceed to the forest according to his wish.