Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 72, Shloka 21
Adhyaya 72 — The Reconciliation Rite, Sarasvati Sacrifice, and the Birth of Uttama Manu (Auttama Manvantara Prelude)
राजोवाच निःशङ्कं ब्रूहि मत्तो यद्भवात्या किञ्चिदीप्सितम् ।
तदलब्ध्यं न ते भीरु ! तवायत्तोऽस्मि नान्यथा ॥
rājovāca niḥśaṅkaṃ brūhi matto yad bhavātyā kiñcid īpsitam | tad alabhyaṃ na te bhīru! tavāyatto 'smi nānyathā ||
राजा बोला—“मुझसे जो कुछ भी चाहती हो, निःसंकोच कहो। हे भीरु, तुम्हारे लिए वह दुर्लभ नहीं होगा; मैं तुम्हारे अधीन हूँ—अन्यथा नहीं।”
FAQs
Power is idealized as service: the king’s authority is to be used to remove suffering when properly petitioned.
Ethical exemplum within narrative (ācāra/dharma), not pancalakṣaṇa proper.
The vow-like assurance mirrors ritual ‘vara’ (granting of boon), setting karmic accountability on the giver.