Shloka 15
Yugapramāṇa–Kaliyuga-lakṣaṇa–Pralaya-kathā
Markandeya’s Account of Yugas, Kali Signs, and Dissolution
गौतम उवाच मैवमत्रे पुनर्ब्रूया न ते प्रज्ञा समाहिता । अत्र नः प्रथमं स्थाता महेन्द्रो वै प्रजापति:,गौतम बोलें--अत्रे! फिर कभी ऐसी बात मुँहसे न निकालना। तुम्हारी बुद्धि एकाग्र नहीं है। यहाँ हमारे प्रथम प्रजापतिके रूपमें साक्षात् इन्द्र उपस्थित हैं
gautama uvāca māivam atre punar brūyā na te prajñā samāhitā | atra naḥ prathamaṃ sthātā mahendro vai prajāpatiḥ ||
Gautama said: “Atri, do not ever speak like this again. Your understanding is not steady or well-collected. Here among us stands Mahendra himself—Indra—present as the foremost Prajāpati.”
गौतम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches restraint and responsibility in speech: one should not utter careless judgments, especially in the presence of a revered authority. True wisdom (prajñā) is shown by a composed, attentive mind (samāhitā) that recognizes context and honors what is worthy of reverence.
Gautama rebukes Atri for making an improper remark, stating that Atri’s discernment is not steady. He emphasizes that Indra (Mahendra) is present there as the foremost Prajāpati, implying that Atri’s words were disrespectful or misguided given Indra’s exalted status.