Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa
तस्यैवं युञ्जतश्चित्तं महायोगेन योगिन: । व्यतीयाय महान् कालो मन्वन्तरषडात्मक: ॥ १४ ॥
tasyaivaṁ yuñjataś cittaṁ mahā-yogena yoginaḥ vyatīyāya mahān kālo manvantara-ṣaḍ-ātmakaḥ
આ રીતે મહાયોગથી યોગીએ ચિત્ત એકાગ્ર કર્યું; એટલામાં છ મન્વંતરો જેટલો મહાન કાળ વીતી ગયો।
This verse states that while the yogī’s mind remained absorbed in great yoga, an immense duration—six manvantaras—elapsed, showing how worldly time can pass unnoticed in profound absorption.
Śukadeva explains that Mārkaṇḍeya’s consciousness was deeply yoked in mahā-yoga; the narrative highlights the extraordinary depth of his samādhi and introduces the Bhagavatam’s discussion of cosmic time.
The verse encourages disciplined focus: when attention is truly absorbed (ideally in devotion and remembrance of the Lord), distractions and the sense of time diminish—supporting steadiness in sādhana and daily duties.