Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 53, Shloka 44

Adhyaya 53 — Rudrasarga and the Measure of the Manvantaras: Svayambhuva Manu, Priyavrata’s Line, and the Seven Dvipas

Sanskrit

पूर्वमन्वन्तरे सम्यक् किमन्यत् कथयामि ते ॥

Transliteration

pūrvamanvantare samyak kim anyat kathayāmi te ||

Translation

Now, regarding the earlier Manvantara—what else shall I relate to you in proper order?

Word by Word

• पूर्व: earlier/previous
• पूर्व: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; neuter, Accusative, Singular (used adverbially: ‘earlier/previous’)

• मन्वन्तरे: in a previous manvantara
• मन्वन्तरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मन्वन्तर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी-विभक्ति, एकवचन; neuter, Locative, Singular

• सम्यक्: properly, fully
• सम्यक्: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सम्यक् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय, क्रियाविशेषण; adverb (properly/fully)

• किम्: what?
• किम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: किम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; interrogative pronoun, Accusative, Singular

• अन्यत्: other, else
• अन्यत्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अन्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; neuter, Accusative, Singular (qualifying किम्: ‘what else’)

• कथयामि: I tell/narrate
• कथयामि: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: कथय् (धातु; denominative from कथा)
• Form: लट्-लकार (वर्तमान/Present), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन, परस्मैपद; Present, 1st person, Singular

• ते: to you
• ते: Sampradana (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: चतुर्थी-एकवचन (सम्प्रदान); pronoun, Dative, Singular

Speakers

• Narrator (Mārkaṇḍeya)

Key Themes

• Manvantara sequencing
• Purāṇic narration structure

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

The verse signals disciplined transmission: knowledge is given ‘samyak’—methodically—implying that cosmology and dharma are best understood through ordered inquiry and exposition.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Manvantara: it functions as a structural hinge indicating movement among Manu-cycles, a hallmark of Purāṇic time-architecture.

What is the esoteric significance?

The ‘earlier Manvantara’ gesture can suggest regression to causal layers—moving from later outcomes back toward prior principles, akin to contemplative reversal (pratiloma) in inquiry.