Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Nārāyaṇa as Haṃsa in the Cosmic Ocean: Vedic Yajña-Puruṣa and Mārkaṇḍeya’s Vi...

Devanagari script

मार्कण्डेयस्ततस्तस्य शनैर्वक्त्राद्विनिःसृतः स निष्क्रामन्न चात्मानं जानीते देवमायया //

Transliteration

mārkaṇḍeyastatastasya śanairvaktrādviniḥsṛtaḥ sa niṣkrāmanna cātmānaṃ jānīte devamāyayā //

Translation

Then Mārkaṇḍeya slowly emerged from his mouth. Yet, as he came out, by the power of divine illusion he did not recognize even his own self.

Word by Word

• मार्कण्डेयः (mārkaṇḍeyaḥ): Markandeya

• ततः (tataḥ): then/thereupon

• तस्य (tasya): of him/of that being

• शनैः (śanaiḥ): slowly, gradually

• वक्त्रात् (vaktrāt): from the mouth

• विनिःसृतः (viniḥsṛtaḥ): came out, emerged

• सः (saḥ): he

• निष्क्रामन् (niṣkrāman): while coming out/going forth

• न (na): not

• च (ca): and

• आत्मानम् (ātmānam): the self, himself

• जानीते (jānīte): knows/recognizes

• देवमायया (devamāyayā): by divine māyā, by the Lord’s illusory power

Speaker

• Primary narrator (Suta tradition) recounting the Markandeya episode within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue framework (Matsya–Manu narrative context).

Entities Mentioned

• Markandeya
• Deva-maya (Divine Illusion)

Tags

• Devamaya
• Markandeya
• Yoga
• Mystic-vision
• PuranicNarrative

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

It implies a pralaya-like, reality-overturning condition where ordinary identity and self-recognition collapse under divine māyā—suggesting that cosmic events and inner perception can be radically transformed by the Lord’s power.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

It cautions that status, role, and even self-certainty can be destabilized by illusion; therefore a king or householder should cultivate discernment (viveka), humility, and dharmic steadiness rather than relying on ego-based identity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual rule is stated; the takeaway is theological—divine māyā can veil perception—often used in Purāṇic contexts to stress the need for correct ritual intent and inner clarity rather than mere external performance.