Shloka 12

Skanda–Svāhā-saṃvāda; Gaṇa-vyutpatti and Śvetaparvata-vaibhava

Chapter 220

Devanagari script

यस्तु न च्यवते नित्यं यशसा वर्चसा श्रिया । अन्निर्निश्ष्यवनो नाम पृथिवीं स्तौति केवलम्‌

Transliteration

yastu na cyavate nityaṃ yaśasā varcasā śriyā | annir niṣṣyavano nāma pṛthivīṃ stauti kevalam ||

Translation

Mārkaṇḍeya said: “But he who never declines—ever steadfast in fame, spiritual radiance, and prosperity—(such a one), known as Niṣṣyavana, merely praises the Earth.”

Word by Word

• यः: who
• यः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: यद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• तु: but/indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• न: not
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: न

• च्यवते: deviates/falls away
• Type: Verb
• Root: च्यु (धातु)
• Form: Present, Third, Singular, Atmanepada

• नित्यम्: always
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नित्य (प्रातिपदिक)

• यशसा: by/with fame
• यशसा: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: यशस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• वर्चसा: by/with splendor
• वर्चसा: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्चस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter, Instrumental, Singular

• श्रिया: by/with prosperity
• श्रिया: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: श्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• अग्निः: Agni (fire-god)
• अग्निः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: अग्नि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• निःश्यवनः: not fallen/deviating (steadfast)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निःश्यवन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• नाम: by name/indeed (particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: नामन् (प्रातिपदिक) / नाम (निपात)

• पृथिवीम्: the earth
• पृथिवीम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: पृथिवी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• स्तौति: praises
• Type: Verb
• Root: स्तु (धातु)
• Form: Present, Third, Singular, Parasmaipada

• केवलम्: only/merely
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: केवल (प्रातिपदिक)

Speaker

मार्कण्डेय उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Mārkaṇḍeya
• Niṣṣyavana
• Pṛthivī (Earth)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights the ideal of unwavering steadiness—one who does not ‘decline’ in fame, inner radiance, and prosperity. Such stability is presented as a mark of excellence, and it frames praise of the Earth as an act connected with sustaining and honoring the foundation of life and dharmic order.

What is happening in the narrative?

Mārkaṇḍeya continues a discourse by describing a figure named Niṣṣyavana—characterized as ever-undiminishing in glory, radiance, and fortune—who is engaged in extolling the Earth (Pṛthivī). The line functions as a descriptive link within the ongoing narration and praise-context.