Shloka 25
Adhyāya 188: Mārkaṇḍeya’s Account of Yuga-Decline and the Restoration Motif
Kali-yuga to Kalki
सुमहानपि मत्स्यस्तु स मनोर्नयतस्तदा । आसीद् यथेष्टहार्यश्न॒ स्पर्शनन्धसुखस्य वै,राजन! यद्यपि वह मत्स्य बहुत विशाल था, तो भी जब मनु उसे ले जाने लगे, तब वह ऐसा बन गया, जिससे आसानीसे ले जाया जा सके। उसका स्पर्श और गन्ध दोनों मनुके लिये बड़े सुखकर थे
sumahān api matsyas tu sa manor nayatas tadā | āsīd yatheṣṭa-hāryaś ca sparśa-gandha-sukhasya vai, rājan ||
Mārkaṇḍeya berkata: “Walaupun ikan itu amat besar, ketika Manu mengangkat dan membawanya, ia menjadi sekadar yang paling mudah diurus seperti yang diingini. Sentuhannya, bahkan harumannya sekalipun, sungguh menyenangkan hati Manu, wahai raja.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how compassionate protection offered by a righteous person is met with providential support: what seems burdensome becomes manageable, suggesting that dharmic care for the vulnerable is sustained by a higher order.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes Manu carrying an enormous fish; despite its size, it becomes conveniently portable, and its touch and fragrance please Manu—signaling the fish’s extraordinary, beneficent nature.