Mārkaṇḍeya-varṇanam (The Description of Mārkaṇḍeya)

Verse 1

नारद उवाच । ब्रह्मन्कथं स भगवान्मृकण्डोः पुत्रतां गतः । किं चकार च तद् ब्रूहि हरिर्भार्गववंशजः ॥ १ ॥

Nārada said: O Brahmin, how did that Blessed Lord come to be born as the son of Mṛkaṇḍu? And what did Hari, descendant of the Bhṛgu lineage, do? Tell me that.

Verse 2

श्रूयते च पुराणेषु मार्कण्डेयो महामुनिः । अपश्यद्वैष्णवीं मायां चिरञ्जीव्यस्य संप्लवे ॥ २ ॥

It is also heard in the Purāṇas that the great sage Mārkaṇḍeya beheld the Vaiṣṇavī māyā—the divine illusion of Viṣṇu—during the cosmic deluge (pralaya) that came upon the long-lived one.

Verse 3

सनक उवाच । शृणु नारद वक्ष्यामि कथामेतां सनातनीम् । विष्णुभक्तिसमायुक्तां मार्कण्डेयमुनिं प्रति ॥ ३ ॥

Sanaka said: Listen, O Nārada; I shall narrate to you this eternal account—filled with devotion (bhakti) to Viṣṇu—concerning the sage Mārkaṇḍeya.

Verse 4

तपसोऽन्ते मृकण्डुस्तु भार्यामुद्वाह्य सत्तमः । गार्हस्थ्यमकरोद्धृष्टः शान्तो दान्तः कृतार्थकः ॥ ४ ॥

At the close of his austerities, the excellent sage Mṛkaṇḍu took a wife in marriage and entered the householder āśrama—steadfast and confident—peaceful, self-restrained, and fulfilled in purpose.

Verse 5

तस्य भार्या शुचिर्दक्षा नित्यं पतिपरायणा । मनसा वचसा चापि देहेन च पतिव्रता ॥ ५ ॥

His wife was pure and capable, ever devoted to her husband; and in mind, speech, and body alike, she kept the vow of pativratā—faithful to her lord.

Verse 6

काले दधार सा गर्भं हरितेजॐशसंभवम् । सुषुवे दशमासान्ते पुत्रं तेजस्विनं परम् ॥ ६ ॥

In due course she conceived a child born of a portion of Hari’s radiance; and at the end of ten months she gave birth to a supremely brilliant son.

Verse 7

स ऋषिः परमप्रीतो दृष्ट्वा पुत्रं सुलक्षणम् । जातकं कारयामास मङ्गलं विधिपूर्वकम् ॥ ७ ॥

That sage, exceedingly delighted on seeing his son endowed with auspicious marks, had the birth-rites and auspicious ceremonies performed, duly and according to prescribed procedure.

Verse 8

स बालो ववृधे तत्र शुक्लपक्ष इवोडुपः । ततस्तु पञ्चमे वर्षे उपनीय मुदान्वितः ॥ ८ ॥

That boy grew up there, waxing like the moon in the bright fortnight. Then, in his fifth year, he was joyfully invested with the upanayana, the rite of the sacred thread.

Verse 9

शिक्षां चकार विप्रेन्द्र वैदिकीं धर्मसंहिताम् । नमस्कार्या द्विजाः पुत्र सदा दृष्ट्वा विधानतः ॥ ९ ॥

O foremost of Brahmins, he composed the Vedic Śikṣā, an ordered compendium of dharma. And, my son, whenever one sees the twice-born (dvija), one should always offer respectful namaskāra, in accordance with proper rule.

Verse 10

त्रिकालं सूर्यमभ्यर्च्य सलिलाञ्जलिदानतः । वैदिकं कर्म कर्तव्यं वेदाध्ययनपूर्वकम् ॥ १० ॥

Having worshipped the Sun at the three junctions of the day and offered water in añjali as an oblation, one should perform the Vedic rites—preceded by the study of the Veda.

Verse 11

ब्रह्मचर्येण तपसा पूजनीयो हरिः सदा । निषिद्धं वर्जनीयं स्याद् दुष्टसंभाषणादिकम् ॥ ११ ॥

Through brahmacarya and tapas, Hari should always be worshipped; and whatever is forbidden should be avoided—beginning with corrupt or harmful talk and the like.

Verse 12

साधुभिः सह वस्तव्यं विष्णुभक्तिपरैः सदा । न द्वेषः कस्यचित्कार्यः सर्वेषां हितमाचरेत् ॥ १२ ॥

One should always live in the company of the virtuous who are devoted to Viṣṇu. One should not cultivate hatred toward anyone; rather, one should practice what is beneficial for all beings.

Verse 13

इज्याध्ययनदानानि सदा कार्याणि ते सुत । एवं पित्रा समादिष्टो मार्कण्डेयो मुनीश्वरः ॥ १३ ॥

“My son, you should always perform worship, Vedic study, and acts of giving (dāna).” Thus instructed by his father, the great sage Mārkaṇḍeya, lord among munis, complied.

Verse 14

चचार धर्मं सततं सदा संचिन्तयन्हरिम् । मार्कण्डेयो महाभागो दयावान्धर्मवत्सलः ॥ १४ ॥

The greatly fortunate sage Mārkaṇḍeya ever walked the path of Dharma, constantly contemplating Hari; compassionate, he was deeply devoted to righteousness.

Verse 15

आत्मवान्सत्यसन्धश्च मार्तण्डसदृशप्रभः । वशी शान्तो महाज्ञानी सर्वतत्त्वार्थकोविदः ॥ १५ ॥

Self-possessed and true to his vows, he shone like the Sun; disciplined and self-controlled, serene, a great knower, he was fully versed in the meaning of all tattvas, the principles of reality.

Verse 16

तपश्चचार परममच्युतप्रीतिकारणम् । आराधितो जगन्नाथो मार्कण्डेयेन धीमता ॥ १६ ॥

The wise Mārkaṇḍeya performed the highest austerity to win the grace of Acyuta; thus he worshipped Jagannātha, the Lord of the universe.

Verse 17

पुराणसंहितां कर्त्तुं दत्तवान्वरमच्युतः । मार्कण्डेयो मुनिस्तस्मान्नारायण इति स्मृतः ॥ १७ ॥

Acyuta granted the boon to compile a Purāṇic compendium; therefore the sage Mārkaṇḍeya is remembered as “Nārāyaṇa.”

Verse 18

चिरजीवी महाभक्तो देवदेवस्य चक्रिणः । जगत्येकार्णवीभूते स्वप्रभावं जनार्द्दनः ॥ १८ ॥

The long-lived great devotee of the Lord of lords, the Discus-bearer—when the whole world had become a single ocean—beheld the inherent divine power of Janārdana (Viṣṇu).

Verse 19

तस्य दर्शयितुं विप्रास्तं न संहृतवान्हरिः । मृकण्डुतनयो धीमान्विष्णुभक्तिसमन्वितः ॥ १९ ॥

O brāhmaṇas, Hari did not withdraw him from the world, so that he might be shown as an example. He was the wise son of Mṛkaṇḍu, endowed with devotion to Viṣṇu.

Verse 20

तस्मिञ्जले महाघोरे स्थितवाञ्छीर्णपत्रवत् । मार्कण्डेयः स्थितस्तावद्यावच्छेते हरिः स्वयम् ॥ २० ॥

In that most terrible expanse of water, Mārkaṇḍeya remained—like a withered leaf floating—so long as Hari Himself lay in yogic repose.

Verse 21

तस्य प्रमाणं वक्ष्यामि कालस्य वदतः शृणु । दशभिः पञ्चभिश्चैव निमैषैः परिकीर्तिता ॥ २१ ॥

Hear as I speak: I shall declare the measure of time. It is said to consist of fifteen nimeṣas.

Verse 22

काष्ठा तत्त्रिंशतो ज्ञेया कला पद्मजनन्दन । तत्त्रिंशतो क्षणो ज्ञेयस्तैः षड्भिर्घटिका स्मृता ॥ २२ ॥

O beloved son of Padmajā (Brahmā), know this: thirty kāṣṭhās make one kalā; thirty kalās are one kṣaṇa; and six such kṣaṇas are traditionally reckoned as one ghaṭikā.

Verse 23

तद्द्वयेन मुहूर्त्तं स्याद्दिनं तत्त्रिंशताभवेत् । त्रिंशद्दिनैर्भवेन्मासः पक्षद्वितयसंयुतः ॥ २३ ॥

By twice that unit, a muhūrta is formed; thirty muhūrtas constitute a day. By thirty days a month is formed, consisting of two fortnights (two pakṣas).

Verse 24

ऋतुर्मासद्वयेन स्यात्तत्त्रयेणायनं स्मृतम् । तद्द्वयेन भवेदब्दः स देवानां दिनं भवेत् ॥ २४ ॥

Two months make a season (ṛtu); three such seasons are called an ayana, a half‑year. Two ayanas form a year (abda), and that year is reckoned as a single day for the Devas.

Verse 25

उत्तरं दिवसं प्राहू रात्रिर्वै दक्षिणायनम् । मानुषेणैव मासेन पितॄणां दिनमुच्यते ॥ २५ ॥

They declare the uttarāyaṇa, the Sun’s northern course, to be day, and the dakṣiṇāyana, the southern course, to be night. And a single human month is reckoned as one “day” of the Pitṛs, the ancestral spirits.

Verse 26

तस्मात्सूर्येन्दुसंयोगे ज्ञातव्यं कल्पमुत्तमम् । दिव्यैर्वर्षसहस्रैर्द्वादशभिर्दैवतं युगम् ॥ २६ ॥

Therefore, by understanding the conjunction and reckoning of the Sun and the Moon, one should know the excellent measure of a kalpa. A divine yuga (daivata‑yuga) consists of twelve thousand divine years.

Verse 27

दैवे युगसहस्रे द्वे ब्राह्मः कल्पौ तु तौ नृणाम् । एकसप्ततिसंख्यातैर्दिव्यैर्मन्वन्तरं युगैः ॥ २७ ॥

Two thousand divine yugas constitute, in human reckoning, a kalpa of Brahmā (Brāhma‑kalpa); and a manvantara is measured as seventy‑one such divine yugas.

Verse 28

चतुर्द्दशभिरेतैश्च ब्रह्मणो दिवसं मुने । यावत्प्रमाणं दिवसं तावद्रा त्रिः प्रकीर्तिता ॥ २८ ॥

O sage, by these fourteen Manvantaras the duration of Brahmā’s day is determined; and the night is declared to be of the very same measure as that day.

Verse 29

नाशमायाति विप्रेन्द्र तस्मिन्काले जगत्त्रयम् । मानुषेण सहस्रेण यत्प्रमाणं भवेच्छृणु ॥ २९ ॥

O best of Brahmins, at that time the three worlds meet their destruction. Now hear the measure of that time, reckoned in thousands of human years.

Verse 30

चतुर्युगसहस्राणि ब्रह्मणो दिवसं मुने । तद्वन्मासो वत्सरश्च ज्ञेयस्तस्यापि वेधसः ॥ ३० ॥

O sage, a day of Brahmā consists of a thousand cycles of the four yugas. In the same way, his month and his year, O Vedhas the Creator, are to be understood as formed from such days.

Verse 31

परार्द्धद्वयकालस्तु तन्मतेन भवेद्द्विजाः । विष्णोरहस्तु विज्ञेयं तावद्रा त्रिः प्रकीर्तिता ॥ ३१ ॥

O twice-born ones, according to that doctrine the span of two parārdhas is to be understood; and the “day of Viṣṇu” should be known to be of that measure. His night, too, is declared to be threefold, in three divisions.

Verse 32

मृकण्डुतनयस्तावत्स्थितः संजीर्णपर्णवत् । तस्मिन्घोरे जलमये विष्णुशक्त्युपबृंहितः । आत्मानं परमं ध्यायन्स्थितवान्हरिसन्निधौ ॥ ३२ ॥

Then the son of Mṛkaṇḍu remained unmoving, like a withered leaf. In that dreadful, water-filled expanse, sustained by the power (śakti) of Viṣṇu, he stayed in the very presence of Hari, meditating upon the Supreme Self.

Verse 33

अथ काले समायाते योगनिद्रा विमोचितः । सृष्टवान्ब्रह्मरूपेण जगदेतच्चराचरम् ॥ ३३ ॥

Then, when the appointed time had arrived, freed from yogic sleep, he created this entire universe—both the moving and the unmoving—assuming the form of Brahmā.

Verse 34

संहृतं तु जलं वीक्ष्य सृष्टं विश्वं मृकण्डुजः । विस्मितः परमप्रीतो ववन्दे चरणौ हरेः ॥ ३४ ॥

Seeing that the waters had withdrawn and that the universe had been created, the son of Mṛkaṇḍu—astonished and filled with supreme joy—bowed down at the feet of Hari.

Verse 35

शिरस्यञ्जलिमाधाय मार्कण्डेयो महामुनिः । तुष्टाव वाग्भिरिष्टाभिः सदानन्दैकविग्रहम् ॥ ३५ ॥

Placing his joined palms upon his head, the great sage Mārkaṇḍeya praised—with cherished words of prayer—the One whose very form is everlasting bliss alone.

Verse 36

मार्कण्डेय उवाच । सहस्रशिरसं देवं नारायणमनामयम् । वासुदेवमनाधारं प्रणतोऽस्मि जनार्दनम् ॥ ३६ ॥

Mārkaṇḍeya said: I bow to Janārdana—Vāsudeva, the divine Nārāyaṇa—who is thousand-headed, free from all affliction, and without any external support.

Verse 37

अमेयमजरं नित्यं सदानन्दैकविग्रहम् । अप्रतर्क्यमनिर्द्देश्यं प्रणतोऽस्मि जनार्दनम् ॥ ३७ ॥

I bow to Janārdana—immeasurable, unborn and ageless, eternal; whose very form is undivided eternal bliss; beyond the reach of reasoning and impossible to define.

Verse 38

अक्षरं परमं नित्यं विश्वाक्षं विश्वसम्भवम् । सर्वतत्त्वमयं शान्तं प्रणतोऽस्मि जनार्दनम् ॥ ३८ ॥

I bow to Janārdana—imperishable, supreme, eternal; the all-seeing Lord of the universe, the source from whom the universe arises; the One who embodies all principles of reality, and who is tranquil and peace itself.

Verse 39

पुराणं पुरुषं सिद्धं सर्वज्ञानैकभाजनम् । परात्परतरं रूपं प्रणतोऽस्मि जनार्दनम् ॥ ३९ ॥

I bow to Janārdana—the eternal, perfect Supreme Person, the Purāṇa Himself, the single vessel of all knowledge, whose form transcends even the Transcendent, beyond the highest beyond.

Verse 40

परं ज्योतिः परं धाम पवित्रं परमं पदम् । सर्वैकरूपं परमं प्रणतोऽस्मि जनार्दनम् ॥ ४० ॥

You are the supreme Light, the supreme Abode, the supremely purifying—indeed the highest State. To Janārdana, the Supreme, the one Form within all forms, I bow.

Verse 41

तं सदानन्दचिन्मात्रं पराणां परमं पदम् । सर्वं सनातनं श्रेष्ठं प्रणतोऽस्मि जनार्दनम् ॥ ४१ ॥

I bow to Janārdana—pure consciousness and ever-bliss, the supreme abode beyond all, the all-pervading and eternal Reality, the highest and most excellent.

Verse 42

सगुणं निर्गुणं शान्तं मायाऽतीतं सुमायिनम् । अरूपं बहुरूपं तं प्रणतोऽस्मि जनार्दनम् ॥ ४२ ॥

I bow to Janārdana—who is with attributes and beyond attributes; tranquil; beyond Māyā yet the master of Māyā; formless and yet manifest in many forms.

Verse 43

यत्र तद्भगवान्विश्वं सृजत्यवति हन्ति च । तमादिदेवमीशानं प्रणतोऽस्मि जनार्दनम् ॥ ४३ ॥

I bow to Janārdana, the primeval Lord and supreme Ruler—in whom Bhagavān creates the universe, sustains it, and also dissolves it.

Verse 44

परेश परमानन्द शरणागतवत्सल । त्राहि मां करुणासिन्धो मनोतीत नमोऽस्तु ते ॥ ४४ ॥

O Supreme Lord, Supreme Bliss, tender to those who seek refuge—save me. O ocean of compassion, O One beyond the mind, salutations be to You.

Verse 45

एवं स्तुवन्तं विप्रेन्द्रं मार्कण्डेयं जगद्गुरुम् । उवाच परया प्रीत्या शंखचक्रगदाधरः ॥ ४५ ॥

Thus, as the foremost of brāhmaṇas—Mārkaṇḍeya, the preceptor of the world—was offering praise, the Lord who bears the conch, discus, and mace spoke to him with supreme delight.

Verse 46

श्रीभगवानुवाच । लोके भागवता ये च भगवद्भक्तमानसाः । तेषां तुष्टो न सन्देहो रक्षाम्येतांश्च सर्वदा ॥ ४६ ॥

The Blessed Lord said: “In the world, those who are Bhagavatas, whose minds are devoted to the Lord and absorbed in the Lord’s devotees—of them I am pleased; there is no doubt. I protect them always.”

Verse 47

अहमेव द्विजश्रेष्ठ नित्यं प्रच्छन्नविग्रहः । भगवद्भक्तरूपेण लोकान्रक्षामि सर्वदा ॥ ४७ ॥

O best of Brahmins, I alone ever remain in a concealed form; taking on the guise of a devotee of the Lord, I always protect the worlds.

Verse 48

मार्कण्डेय उवाच । किं लक्षणा भागवता जायन्ते केन कर्म्मणा । एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं कौतूहलपरो यतः ॥ ४८ ॥

Mārkaṇḍeya said: “What are the distinguishing characteristics of the Bhagavatas (devotees of the Lord)? By what kind of action (karma) do they come to be? I wish to hear this, for I am filled with curiosity.”

Verse 49

श्रीभगवानुवाच । लक्षणं भागवतानां शृणुष्व मुनिसत्तम । वक्तुं तेषां प्रभावं हि शक्यते नाब्दकोटिभिः ॥ ४९ ॥

The Blessed Lord said: “O best of sages, hear the marks of the Bhāgavatas, the Lord’s devotees. Truly, their greatness cannot be fully spoken of even with crores of words.”

Verse 50

ये हिताः सर्वजन्तूनां गतासूया अमत्सराः । वशिनो निस्पृहाः शान्तास्ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ५० ॥

Those devoted to the welfare of all beings, free from envy and malice, self-controlled, without craving, and serene—such persons are indeed the highest Bhāgavatas, the Lord’s foremost devotees.

Verse 51

कर्म्मणा मनसा वाचा परपीडां न कुर्वते । अपरिग्रहशीलाश्च ते वै भागवताः स्मृताः ॥ ५१ ॥

Those who do not harm others by deed, by thought, or by speech, and who are devoted to non-possessiveness, are remembered as true Bhāgavatas.

Verse 52

सत्कथाश्रवणे येषां वर्त्तते सात्विकी मतिः । तद्भक्तविष्णुभक्ताश्च ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ५२ ॥

Those whose pure (sāttvika) understanding abides in hearing sacred discourses, and who are devoted both to His devotees and to Lord Viṣṇu—indeed, they are the foremost among the Bhāgavatas.

Verse 53

मातापित्रोश्च शुश्रूषां कुर्वन्ति ये नरोत्तमाः । गङ्गाविश्वेश्वरधिया ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ५३ ॥

Those best among men who lovingly serve their mother and father—regarding that service with the same sacred reverence as the Gaṅgā and the Lord of the universe—are indeed the foremost devotees of Bhagavān.

Verse 54

ये तु देवार्चनरता ये तु तत्साधकाः स्मृताः । पूजां दृष्ट्वानुमोदन्ते ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ५४ ॥

Those who delight in the worship of Bhagavān, and those known as its practitioners—who, on seeing such worship, rejoice, approve, and offer glad assent—are indeed the highest among the Bhāgavatas.

Verse 55

व्रतिनां च यतीनां च परिचर्यापराश्च ये । वियुक्तपरनिन्दाश्च ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ५५ ॥

Those devoted to serving vow-observers and yatis (renunciants), and who are free from disparaging others—indeed, they are the highest among the devotees of Bhagavān.

Verse 56

सर्वेषां हितवाक्यानि ये वदन्ति नरोत्तमाः । ये गुणग्राहिणो लोके ते वै भागवताः स्मृताः ॥ ५६ ॥

Those best among men who speak words beneficial to all, and who in this world are discerning of virtue—seeing and honoring the good in others—are remembered as true Bhāgavatas.

Verse 57

आत्मवत्सर्वभूतानि ये पश्यन्ति नरोत्तमाः । तुल्याः शत्रुषु मित्रेषु ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ५७ ॥

Those best among men who behold all beings as their own self, and who remain the same toward enemy and friend—indeed, they are the foremost among the Bhāgavatas.

Verse 58

धर्म्मशास्त्रप्रवक्तारः सत्यवाक्यरताश्च ये । सतां शुश्रूषवो ये च ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ५८ ॥

Those who expound the Dharma-śāstras, who delight in speaking truth, and who diligently serve the virtuous—such people are indeed the highest among the Bhāgavatas.

Verse 59

व्याकुर्वते पुराणानि तानि शृण्वन्ति ये तथा । तद्वक्तरि च भक्ता ये ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ५९ ॥

Those who expound the Purāṇas, those who likewise listen to them, and those who are devoted to the speaker of that teaching—such people are truly the foremost among the devotees of Bhagavān.

Verse 60

ये गोब्राह्मणशुश्रूषां कुर्वते सततं नराः । तीर्थयात्रापरा ये च ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ६० ॥

Those people who constantly serve cows and brāhmaṇas, and those who are devoted to undertaking pilgrimages to sacred places—indeed, they are the best among the Bhāgavatas (devotees of the Lord).

Verse 61

अन्येषामुदयं दृष्ट्वा येऽभिनंदन्ति मानवाः । हरिनामपरा ये च ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ६१ ॥

Those people who, on seeing the rise and prosperity of others, rejoice (rather than envy), and who are wholly devoted to the Name of Hari—such persons are indeed the highest among the devotees of Bhagavān.

Verse 62

आरामारोपणरतास्तडागपरिरक्षकाः । कासारकूपकर्तारस्ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ६२ ॥

Those who delight in planting and establishing gardens, who protect ponds and reservoirs, and who construct lakes and wells—indeed, they are the foremost devotees of Bhagavān.

Verse 63

ये वै तडागकर्तारो देवसद्मानि कुर्वते । गायत्रीनिरता ये च ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ६३ ॥

Those who construct ponds (for public benefit), who build abodes for the gods (temples), and who remain devoted to the recitation of the Gāyatrī—such people are indeed the foremost among the devotees of Bhagavān.

Verse 64

येऽभिनन्दन्ति नामानि हरेः श्रुत्वाऽतिहर्षिताः । रोमाञ्चितशरीराश्च ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ६४ ॥

Those who, on hearing the holy names of Hari, rejoice and acclaim them with great delight, and whose bodies thrill with horripilation—such persons are indeed the highest of Bhāgavatas, the supreme devotees.

Verse 65

तुलसीकाननं दृष्ट्वा ये नमस्कुर्वते नराः । तत्काष्ठाङ्कितकर्णा ये ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ६५ ॥

Those who, upon seeing a grove of Tulasī, bow down in reverence—and those whose ears are marked or adorned with that sacred wood—are indeed the foremost Bhāgavatas, the Lord’s highest devotees.

Verse 66

तुलसीगन्धमाघ्राय सन्तोषं कुर्वते तु ये । तन्मूलमृतिकां ये च ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ६६ ॥

Those who feel contentment merely by inhaling the fragrance of Tulasī—and those who also revere the sacred soil from her roots—are indeed the foremost Bhāgavatas, the Lord’s exalted devotees.

Verse 67

आश्रमाचारनिरतास्तथैवातिथिपूजकाः । ये च वेदार्थवक्तारस्ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ६७ ॥

Those who are devoted to the proper conduct of the āśramas, who likewise honor guests, and who can expound the meaning of the Vedas—such persons are indeed the highest among the Lord’s Bhāgavatas.

Verse 68

शिवप्रियाः शिवासक्ताः शिवपादार्च्चने रताः । त्रिपुण्ड्रधारिणो ये च ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ६८ ॥

Those who are dear to Śiva, devoted to Śiva, absorbed in worship of Śiva’s feet—and who bear the tripuṇḍra, the three sacred ash-lines—are indeed the best among the Bhāgavatas, exalted devotees.

Verse 69

व्याहरन्ति च नामानि हरेः शम्भोर्महात्मनः । रुद्रा क्षालंकृता ये च ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ६९ ॥

Those who ceaselessly utter the names of Hari and of the great-souled Śambhu (Śiva), and those Rudras adorned by such glory—truly they are Bhāgavata-uttamas, the highest among the devotees of Bhagavān.

Verse 70

ये यजन्ति महादेवं क्रतुभिर्बहुदक्षिणैः । हरिं वा परया भक्त्या ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ७० ॥

Those who worship Mahādeva through sacrificial rites (kratu) accompanied by abundant gifts, or who worship Hari with supreme bhakti—such people are truly Bhāgavata-uttamas, the highest devotees of the Lord.

Verse 71

विदितानि च शास्त्राणि परार्थं प्रवदन्ति ये । सर्वत्र गुणभाजो ये ते वै भागवताः स्मृताः ॥ ७१ ॥

Those who have understood the śāstras and teach them for the welfare of others, and who partake of virtue in every circumstance—such people are remembered as Bhāgavatas, devotees of the Lord.

Verse 72

शिवे च परमेशे च विष्णौ च परमात्मनि । समबुद्ध्या प्रवर्त्तन्ते ते वै भागवताः स्मृताः ॥ ७२ ॥

Those who conduct themselves with equal-minded reverence toward Śiva, the Supreme Lord, and toward Viṣṇu, the Supreme Self (Paramātmā)—such persons are remembered as Bhāgavatas, true devotees.

Verse 73

शिवाग्निकार्यनिरताः पञ्चाक्षरजपे रताः । शिवध्यानरता ये च ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ७३ ॥

Those devoted to Śiva’s sacred fire-rites, who delight in the japa of the five-syllabled mantra (pañcākṣara), and who remain absorbed in meditation on Śiva—such people are truly Bhāgavata-uttamas, the supreme devotees.

Verse 74

पानीयदाननिरता येऽन्नदानरतास्तथा । एकादशीव्रतरता ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ७४ ॥

Those who are devoted to the gift of drinking-water, who likewise rejoice in the gift of food, and who stand firm in the vow of Ekādaśī—such persons are indeed the foremost among the devotees of Bhagavān.

Verse 75

गोदाननिरता ये च कन्यादानरताश्च ये । मदर्थं कर्म्मकर्त्तारस्ते वै भागवतोत्तमाः ॥ ७५ ॥

Those who are devoted to gifting cows, those who are devoted to kanyā-dāna (giving a daughter in marriage), and who perform such deeds for My sake—indeed, they are the foremost among the devotees of Bhagavān.

Verse 76

एते भागवता विप्र केचिदत्र प्रकीर्तिताः । मयाऽपि गदितुं शक्या नाब्दकोटिशतैरपि ॥ ७६ ॥

O brāhmaṇa, only some of these bhāgavatas, devotees of the Lord, have been mentioned here. Even I could not recount them in full—not even in hundreds of crores of years.

Verse 77

तस्मात्त्वमपि विप्रेन्द्र सुशीलो भव सर्वदा । सर्वभूताश्रयो दान्तो मैत्रो धर्म्मपरायणः ॥ ७७ ॥

Therefore, O best of brāhmaṇas, you too should always be of noble conduct—be a refuge to all beings, self-controlled, friendly, and firmly devoted to dharma.

Verse 78

पुनर्युगान्तपर्य्यन्तं धर्म्मं सर्वं समाचरन् । मन्मूर्तिध्याननिरतः परं निर्वाणमाप्स्यसि ॥ ७८ ॥

By practicing all dharma again and again until the end of the age, and remaining devoted to meditation on My form, you will attain the supreme nirvāṇa, the final liberation.

Verse 79

एवं मृकण्डुपुत्रस्य स्वभक्तस्य कृपानिधिः । दत्त्वा वरं स देवेशस्तत्रैवान्तरधीयत ॥ ७९ ॥

Thus the Lord—an ocean of compassion—bestowed a boon upon Mṛkaṇḍu’s son, His own devoted worshipper; and that Lord of the gods vanished from that very place.

Verse 80

मार्कण्डेयो महाभागो हरिभक्तिरतः सदा । चचार परमं धर्ममीजे च विधिवन्मखैः ॥ ८० ॥

The greatly fortunate sage Mārkaṇḍeya, ever devoted to Hari, practiced the highest Dharma and also performed sacrifices in the proper, scripturally prescribed manner.

Verse 81

शालग्रामे महाक्षेत्रे तताप परमं तपः । ध्यानक्षपितकर्मा तु परं निर्वाणमाप्तवान् ॥ ८१ ॥

In the great sacred region of Śālagrāma, he practiced the highest austerity; and having his karmas worn away through meditation, he attained the supreme nirvāṇa (final liberation).

Verse 82

तस्माज्जन्तुषु सर्वेषु हितकृद्धरिपूजकः । ईप्सितं मनसा यद्यत्तत्तदाप्नोत्यसंशयम् ॥ ८२ ॥

Therefore, one who worships Hari and does good to all beings surely attains whatever he desires in his heart—without doubt.

Verse 83

सनक उवाच । एतत्सर्वं निगदितं त्वया पृष्टं द्विजोत्तम । भगवद्भक्तिमाहात्म्यं किमन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥ ८३ ॥

Sanaka said: “O best of the twice-born, I have explained all that you asked—the greatness of devotion to the Lord. What else do you wish to hear?”

Verse 84

इति श्रीबृहन्नारदीयपुराणे पूर्वभागे प्रथमपादे मार्कण्डेयवर्णनं नाम पञ्चमोऽध्यायः ॥ ५ ॥

Thus ends the Fifth Chapter, called “The Description of Mārkaṇḍeya,” in the First Pāda of the Pūrva-bhāga of the revered Bṛhan-Nāradīya Purāṇa.