Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 34, Shloka 91

Adhyaya 34 — Madālāsā’s Instruction on Sadācāra (Householder Conduct, Purity, and Daily Rites)

Sanskrit

सुहृद्दीक्षितभूपालस्नातकश्वशुरैः सह ।

ऋत्विगादीन् षडर्घार्हानर्चयेच्च गृहागतान् ॥

Transliteration

suhṛddīkṣitabhūpālasnātakaśvaśuraiḥ saha |

ṛtvigādīn ṣaḍarghārhān arcayec ca gṛhāgatān ||

Translation

Together with friends, consecrated persons, kings, snātakas, and fathers-in-law, one should honor those worthy of the sixfold hospitality (ṣaḍ-argha)—such as officiating priests and others—when they come to one’s house.

Word by Word

• suhṛt-dīkṣita-bhūpāla-snātaka-śvaśuraiḥ: with friends, consecrated persons, kings, snātakas, and fathers-in-law
• suhṛt-dīkṣita-bhūpāla-snātaka-śvaśuraiḥ: Sahakari (सहकारी/Instrumental association)
• Type: Noun
• Root: suhṛt (प्रातिपदिक) + dīkṣita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक) + bhūpāla (प्रातिपदिक) + snātaka (प्रातिपदिक) + śvaśura (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण), बहुवचन; समासः—द्वन्द्वः (समाहार/इतरेतर: friends, consecrated persons, kings, graduates, fathers-in-law)

• saha: together with
• saha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/association marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: saha (अव्यय)
• Form: सहार्थक-अव्यय (with/together)

• ṛtvij-ādīn: priests and others
• ṛtvij-ādīn: Karma (कर्म/object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ṛtvij (प्रातिपदिक) + ādi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (आदि-समास: beginning with priests)

• ṣaṭ-argha-arhān: worthy of sixfold honor
• ṣaṭ-argha-arhān: Karma (कर्म/object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ṣaṭ (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक) + argha (प्रातिपदिक) + arh(a) (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (षडर्घे अर्हाः = worthy of sixfold honor)

• arcayet: should worship/honor
• arcayet: Karta (कर्ता/implicit ‘one should’)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √arc (अर्च्)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), परस्मैपदम्, प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचन

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• gṛha-āgatān: who have come to the house (guests)
• gṛha-āgatān: Karma (कर्म/object qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: gṛha (प्रातिपदिक) + āgata (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √gam (गम्) + आ- + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे द्वितीया-विभक्ति (कर्म), बहुवचन; विशेषण-प्रयोगः; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (गृहं आगताः = arrived at the house)

Speakers

• Unspecified in input (didactic instruction)

Verse Rasa

{ "primaryRasa": "shanta", "secondaryRasa": "bhakti", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

Key Themes

• Dharma
• Atithi-satkāra (hospitality)
• Gṛhastha ritual etiquette
• Respect for learned and ritually qualified persons

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Hospitality is a dharmic duty that sustains social and ritual order: learned/ritual persons and dignitaries are to be received with formal respect, reinforcing reciprocity between householders and the sacred economy of rites.

How does this fit the Pancalakṣaṇa (5 characteristics)?

Ācāra section (dharma practice), not pancalakṣaṇa.

What is the esoteric significance?

Receiving the worthy guest mirrors receiving the ‘divine presence’ in one’s home and mind; ṣaḍargha symbolizes completeness of offering—integrating speech, body, resources, and reverence into one act.