Shloka 20

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

Devanagari script

चिन्तयञ्जलमध्यस्थो मार्कण्डेयो विशङ्कितः किं नु स्यान्मम चिन्तेयं मोहः स्वप्नो ऽनुभूयते //

Transliteration

cintayañjalamadhyastho mārkaṇḍeyo viśaṅkitaḥ kiṃ nu syānmama cinteyaṃ mohaḥ svapno 'nubhūyate //

Translation

Markandeya, standing amid the waters, became anxious and reflective: “What could this be? I must consider it. Is this bewilderment—this experience—nothing but a dream?”

Word by Word

• चिन्तयन् (cintayan): thinking, reflecting

• जल-मध्यस्थः (jala-madhyasthaḥ): situated/standing in the midst of water

• मार्कण्डेयः (mārkaṇḍeyaḥ): Markandeya (the sage)

• विशङ्कितः (viśaṅkitaḥ): doubtful, apprehensive

• किम् नु (kim nu): what indeed?, what could it be?

• स्यात् (syāt): might be, could be

• मम (mama): for me, my

• चिन्तेयम् (cinteyam): to be thought over/considered

• मोहः (mohaḥ): delusion, bewilderment

• स्वप्नः (svapnaḥ): dream

• अनुभूयते (anubhūyate): is experienced, is perceived

Speaker

• Narrator (describing Sage Markandeya’s inner reflection)

Entities Mentioned

• Markandeya

Tags

• Pralaya
• Vision
• Maya
• Markandeya
• Cosmic Waters

FAQs

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

It places Markandeya amid the cosmic waters and highlights pralaya as an overwhelming, reality-shaking experience—so uncanny that it is doubted as dream or delusion.

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

Indirectly, it teaches discernment (viveka): even powerful experiences can mislead, so one should evaluate events carefully rather than act from fear or भ्रम (moha)—a key ethical discipline for rulers and householders alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual rule is stated; the verse is primarily psychological and cosmological, focusing on uncertainty during a pralaya-like vision rather than temple architecture or rites.