Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 3
The Anukramaṇī (Summary/Index) of the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa
मार्कंडेयमुनेः प्रश्नो जैमिनेः प्राक्समीरितः । पक्षिणां धर्मसंज्ञानं ततो जन्मनिरूपणम् ॥ ३ ॥
mārkaṃḍeyamuneḥ praśno jaimineḥ prāksamīritaḥ | pakṣiṇāṃ dharmasaṃjñānaṃ tato janmanirūpaṇam || 3 ||
First, the question of the sage Mārkaṇḍeya is stated as having been previously conveyed by Jaimini; then comes the teaching that defines the dharma of birds, followed thereafter by an account of their origin (birth).
Suta (narrator) summarizing the upcoming topics (anukramanika-style)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: none
FAQs
It functions as an anukramaṇikā (topic-index) marker, showing that dharma is taught not only for humans but across living beings, and that understanding conduct (dharma) is linked to understanding origin (janma).
This specific verse does not directly teach bhakti practices; it frames the narrative sequence—questions, dharma-definition, and origins—within which devotion-oriented teachings may later be situated.
No Vedāṅga (e.g., Śikṣā, Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa) is explicitly taught in this line; it is a structural summary indicating the forthcoming doctrinal and narrative exposition.