Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 74, Shloka 7

Adhyaya 74 — King Svarashtra, the Deer-Queen’s Curse, and the Rise of Tamasa Manu

Sanskrit

ग्रीष्मे पञ्चतमा भूत्वा वर्षास्वभ्रावकाशिकः ।

जलशायी च शिशिरे निराहारो यतव्रतः ॥

Transliteration

grīṣme pañcatamā bhūtvā varṣāsv abhrāvakāśikaḥ / jalaśāyī ca śiśire nirāhāro yatavrataḥ

Translation

In summer he practiced the ‘five fires’ austerity; in the rains he remained exposed to the open sky; in winter he lay in water. He was fasting and firm in his vows.

Word by Word

• ग्रीष्मे: in summer
• ग्रीष्मे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ग्रीष्म (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• पञ्चतमा: as the fifth (penance)
• पञ्चतमा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण/अवस्था)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पञ्चतमा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; क्रमवाचक-विशेषणम् (fifth)

• भूत्वा: having become
• भूत्वा: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: भू (धातु) → भूत्वा (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: अव्ययकृदन्तः (क्त्वा), पूर्वकालिक-क्रिया (having become)

• वर्षासु: in the rains
• वर्षासु: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्षा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, बहुवचनम्

• अभ्रावकाशिकः: exposed to the open sky (under clouds)
• अभ्रावकाशिकः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अभ्र + अवकाशिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (अभ्रस्य अवकाशः यस्य/अभ्रावकाशे वर्तते)

• जलशायी: lying in water
• जलशायी: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: जल + शायी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; तत्पुरुषः (जले शयते)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्ययम् (conjunction)

• शिशिरे: in winter
• शिशिरे: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिशिर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमी-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्

• निराहारः: without food
• निराहारः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर् + आहार (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; नञ्/निर्-पूर्वकः (आहारो नास्ति यस्य)

• यतव्रतः: of restrained vows
• यतव्रतः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: यत + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः, एकवचनम्; कर्मधारयः (यतं व्रतं यस्य/यतव्रतः)

Speakers

• Mārkaṇḍeya (narrator)

Key Themes

• Tapas disciplines
• Seasonal austerities
• Self-restraint (vrata)
• Ascetic ideal

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Tapas is portrayed as consistency across changing conditions—heat, rain, cold—showing that inner resolve should not depend on comfort. The king’s discipline contrasts with the instability of political fortune.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Vaṃśānucarita (life of a king) incorporating āśrama-dharma elements (movement toward vānaprastha/saṃnyāsa ideals).

What is the esoteric significance?

The three seasonal practices symbolize mastery over the guṇas and bodily impulses: heat (rajas), damp darkness (tamas), cold inertia (tamas). Fasting and vows indicate prāṇa-sublimation toward spiritual potency.