Shloka 30

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

Devanagari script

एवं वर्षशतं साग्रं मार्कण्डेयस्य धीमतः चरतः पृथिवीं सर्वां न कुक्ष्यन्तः समीक्षितः //

Transliteration

evaṃ varṣaśataṃ sāgraṃ mārkaṇḍeyasya dhīmataḥ carataḥ pṛthivīṃ sarvāṃ na kukṣyantaḥ samīkṣitaḥ //

Translation

Thus, for a full hundred years and more, the wise Markandeya wandered over the entire earth; yet his belly was never seen to be filling (as with ordinary eating).

Word by Word

• evaṃ: thus

• varṣaśatam: a hundred years

• sāgram: with an excess/and more (over and above)

• mārkaṇḍeyasya: of Markandeya

• dhīmataḥ: of the intelligent/wise one

• carataḥ: while wandering/moving about

• pṛthivīm: the earth

• sarvām: entire/all

• na: not

• kukṣyantaḥ: (his) belly/abdomen (as) becoming filled

• samīkṣitaḥ: was observed/was seen

Speaker

• Narrator (Purana narrator within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame; commonly presented as Lord Matsya instructing Manu in adjacent chapters)

Entities Mentioned

• Markandeya

Tags

• Rishi
• Tapas
• Asceticism
• Wonder
• Manvantara-Lore

FAQs

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

It does not directly describe Pralaya; it highlights ascetic power (tapas) and extraordinary yogic restraint, themes often used in Puranas to frame cosmic teachings.

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

By portraying Markandeya’s self-mastery and detachment, it implicitly sets an ethical ideal: rulers and householders should honor sages and cultivate restraint, charity, and discipline rather than indulgence.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or temple-architecture rule is stated here; the verse is a hagiographic note emphasizing tapas and the marvel of a sage’s sustained wandering.