Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 26, Shloka 13
Adhyaya 26 — Madālasa Names Alarka and Reorients Him Toward Kshatriya Duty
अलर्क इति धर्मज्ञः ख्यातिं लोके प्रयास्यति ।
कनीयानेष ते पुत्रो मतिमांश्च भविष्यति ॥
alarka iti dharmajñaḥ khyātiṃ loke prayāsyati / kanīyān eṣa te putro matimāṃś ca bhaviṣyati
इसका नाम ‘अलर्क’ होगा। यह धर्म का ज्ञाता होगा और संसार में यश पाएगा। यह तुम्हारा सबसे छोटा पुत्र है और बुद्धिमान होगा।
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FAQs
The highest praise for a ruler is not conquest but dharma-jñāna (understanding right order). The verse reframes royal excellence as wisdom-guided fame.
Touches Vaṃśānucarita (account of notable descendants) by introducing Alarka as a significant figure, while still functioning as Dharma instruction.
The ‘youngest yet wise’ motif often signals the inner aspirant: humility/innocence (kanīyān) paired with buddhi (mati) becomes the vehicle for dharma-realization.