Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 19, Shloka 8

Adhyaya 19 — Kartavirya Arjuna at Dattatreya’s Ashram: Boons, Sovereignty, and Vaishnava Praise

Sanskrit

इत्युक्तः प्रीतिमान् देवस्ततस्तं प्रत्युवाच ह ।

कार्तवीर्यं महाभागं वशीकृतमहीतलम् ॥

Transliteration

ity uktaḥ prītimān devas tatas taṃ pratyuvāca ha / kārtavīryaṃ mahābhāgaṃ vaśīkṛta-mahītalam

Translation

Thus addressed, the divine one, filled with affection, then replied to him—to Kārtavīrya, the greatly fortunate, who had brought the earth under his control.

Word by Word

• इति: thus
• इति: Vākyasaṃbandha (उद्धरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; इत्यादि-उद्धरण/वाक्यसमाप्तिसूचक (quotative particle)

• उक्तः: having been addressed/told
• उक्तः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• प्रीतिमान्: pleased
• प्रीतिमान्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रीति-मत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; मतुप्-प्रत्ययान्त (possessive adjective: ‘having pleasure’)

• देवः: the god/lord
• देवः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• ततः: then/thereupon
• ततः: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ततः (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अपादान/क्रमवाचक (thereupon/then)

• तम्: him
• तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• प्रत्युवाच: replied
• प्रत्युवाच: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: प्रति-उप-√वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार, परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• ह: indeed/just
• ह: Emphasis (निपात)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ह (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; स्मरण/पादपूरणार्थक निपात (expletive particle)

• कार्तवीर्यम्: Kartavīrya (name)
• कार्तवीर्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कार्तवीर्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• महाभागम्: greatly fortunate
• महाभागम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महā + भाग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (महान् भागः यस्य/महान् भागः = very fortunate)

• वशीकृतमहीतलम्: who has subdued the earth
• वशीकृतमहीतलम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वशीकृत + महीतल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुष-भावः: (वशीकृतं महीतलं येन/यत्) ‘having subdued the earth-surface’ (as epithet)

Speakers

• Narrator; Dattātreya about to grant a boon

Primary Deities

• Dattātreya
• Devī (contextually present)

Shakti Aspects

• Not explicit in this verse (Devī identified just prior)

Key Themes

• Divine approval
• Kingship validated by discernment
• Preparation for boon

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Power becomes worthy of blessing when joined with discrimination and humility; divine pleasure follows insight, not mere conquest.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Vaṃśānucarita-style narrative affirmation of a king’s stature; it uses royal accomplishment as backdrop for spiritual testing and instruction.

What is the esoteric significance?

‘Subjugating the earth’ is external mastery; the divine reply marks the transition to inner confirmation—recognition that the king is not subjugated by māyā even while ruling the world.