Shloka 12

Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मा भृगुर्भवो दक्षो ब्रह्मपुत्राश्च येऽपरे । नृदेवपितृभूतानि तेनासन्नतिविस्मिता: ॥ १२ ॥

Transliteration

brahmā bhṛgur bhavo dakṣo brahma-putrāś ca ye ’pare nṛ-deva-pitṛ-bhūtāni tenāsann ati-vismitāḥ

Translation

Dewa Brahmā, Bhṛgu Muni, Dewa Śiva, Prajāpati Dakṣa, putera-putera agung Brahmā, serta ramai manusia, para dewa, para leluhur dan makhluk halus—semuanya terperanjat oleh pencapaian Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi.

Synonyms

• इत्थम्: thus; in this manner
• इत्थम्: Kriya-viseshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इत्थम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक (adverb of manner)

• बृहद्-व्रत-धरः: the observer of a great vow
• बृहद्-व्रत-धरः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बृहत् (प्रातिपदिक) + व्रत (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (√धृ धातु; ण्वुल्/अच्-प्रत्ययान्त agent-noun)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; समासः—बृहद् व्रतम् (कर्मधारय) + धरः (उपपद-तत्पुरुष: व्रतं धरति)

• तपः-स्वाध्याय-संयमैः: by austerity, self-study, and restraint
• तपः-स्वाध्याय-संयमैः: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तपस् (प्रातिपदिक) + स्वाध्याय (प्रातिपदिक) + संयम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (तपः च स्वाध्यायः च संयमः च)

• दध्यौ: meditated
• दध्यौ: Kriya (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ध्यै (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• अधोक्षजम्: Adhokṣaja (the transcendent Lord)
• अधोक्षजम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अधोक्षज (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• योगी: the yogī
• योगी: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: योगिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• ध्वस्त-क्लेश-अन्तरात्मना: with an inner self whose afflictions were destroyed
• ध्वस्त-क्लेश-अन्तरात्मना: Karana (करण/Instrument/Accompaniment)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ध्वस्त (√ध्वंस्/√ध्वस् धातु; क्त-प्रत्यय) + क्लेश (प्रातिपदिक) + अन्तरात्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; बहिर्विशेषणरूपेण; समासः—ध्वस्ताः क्लेशाः यस्य अन्तरात्मा (बहुव्रीहि-भावार्थ) परन्तु रूपतः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष-श्रृङ्खला; तृतीया—‘with an inner self whose afflictions were destroyed’

Characters & Entities

• Brahmā
• Bhṛgu
• Bhava (Śiva)
• Dakṣa
• Brahma-putras
• Nṛ (kings/humans)
• Devas
• Pitṛs
• Bhūtas

FAQs

What does Srimad Bhagavatam say about the reaction of devas and sages to major events at the end of Kali Yuga?

This verse states that Brahmā, great sages like Bhṛgu, Śiva, Dakṣa, and many others—along with kings, devas, Pitṛs, and various beings—become deeply astonished when such extraordinary events unfold.

Why does Śukadeva Gosvāmī mention Brahmā, Śiva, and the Pitṛs together in Bhagavatam 12.8.12?

To show that the event being described is so extraordinary that it affects all levels of cosmic administration—creators, destroyers, sages, ancestors, and even earthly rulers—highlighting its universal significance.

Practical application: what does this verse teach a devotee in modern life?

It reminds one that God’s arrangement and time (kāla) can overturn ordinary expectations; therefore, a devotee should cultivate steadiness, humility, and reliance on Bhagavān rather than confidence in worldly stability.