Shloka 7
Nārāyaṇopadeśa to Mārkaṇḍeya (Cosmic Self-Identification and Yuga Doctrine) | नारायणोपदेशः
तासां तीरेष्वासते पुण्यभाजो महीयमाना: पृथगप्सरोभि: । सुपुण्यगन्धाभिरलंकृताभि- हिरिण्यवर्णाभिरतीव हृष्टा:,उनके तटोंपर पूजनीय पुण्यात्मा पुरुष पृथक्ू-पृथक् अप्सराओंके साथ सानन्द प्रतिष्ठित होते हैं। वे अप्सराएँ अत्यन्त पवित्र सुगन्धसे सुवासित, विविध आभूषणोंसे विभूषित तथा स्वर्णकी-सी कान्तिसे प्रकाशित होती हैं
tāsāṃ tīreṣv āsate puṇyabhājo mahīyamānāḥ pṛthag apsarobhiḥ | supuṇyagandhābhir alaṅkṛtābhir hiraṇyavarṇābhir atīva hṛṣṭāḥ ||
On the banks of those sacred waters dwell men who are worthy of merit and reverence, each seated joyfully in the company of apsarās. Those celestial women are fragrant with exceedingly pure perfume, adorned with varied ornaments, and radiant with a golden splendor—so that all present are filled with delight.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores a dharmic moral logic: purity and merit (puṇya) lead to honor and refined enjoyment, depicted as reverent, joyful abiding in sacred places with celestial companionship. Sensory beauty—fragrance, ornaments, golden radiance—is presented as a consequence of accumulated virtue rather than mere indulgence.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a scene on the banks of sacred waters where meritorious men reside, each accompanied by apsarās. The apsarās are portrayed as exceptionally pure, fragrant, richly adorned, and shining with a golden hue, creating an atmosphere of exalted delight.