Shloka 37

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

Devanagari script

मा भैर्वत्स न भेतव्यम् इहैवायाहि मे ऽन्तिकम् मार्कण्डेयो मुनिस्त्वाह बालं तं श्रमपीडितः //

Transliteration

mā bhairvatsa na bhetavyam ihaivāyāhi me 'ntikam mārkaṇḍeyo munistvāha bālaṃ taṃ śramapīḍitaḥ //

Translation

“Do not fear, dear child; you must not be afraid. Come here, right now—come near me.” Thus spoke the sage Mārkaṇḍeya to that boy, who was worn down by exhaustion.

Word by Word

• मा (mā): do not

• भैः (bhaiḥ): fear

• वत्स (vatsa): dear child

• न (na): not

• भेतव्यम् (bhetavyam): to be feared / you should fear

• इह (iha): here

• एव (eva): indeed, right here

• आयाहि (āyāhi): come

• मे (me): to me / my

• अन्तिकम् (antikam): near, close

• मार्कण्डेयः (mārkaṇḍeyaḥ): Markandeya

• मुनिः (muniḥ): sage

• त्व् (tv): indeed/then (particle in sandhi)

• आह (āha): said

• बालम् (bālam): to the boy

• तम् (tam): that

• श्रमपीडितः (śramapīḍitaḥ): afflicted by fatigue / exhausted

Speaker

• Sage Markandeya (Mārkaṇḍeya Muni)

Entities Mentioned

• Markandeya

Tags

• Dharma
• Rishi-Dialogue
• Compassion
• Protection
• Upakhyana

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it highlights a sage’s protective reassurance—an ethical and pastoral moment within a narrative episode.

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

It models dharmic leadership: offering refuge, calming fear, and caring for the distressed—core virtues expected of rulers and householders alike in Purāṇic ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its focus is interpersonal dharma—comforting and sheltering the exhausted.