Shloka 31
Adhyāya 188: Mārkaṇḍeya’s Account of Yuga-Decline and the Restoration Motif
Kali-yuga to Kalki
नौश्व कारयितव्या ते दृढा युक्तवटारका । तत्र सप्तर्षिभि: सार्थमारुहेथा महामुने,“आपको एक मजबूत नाव बनवानी चाहिये, जिसमें (मजबूत) रस्सी जुटी हो। महामुने! फिर आप सप्तर्षियोंके साथ उस नावपर बैठ जाइये
nauśvā kārayitavyā te dṛḍhā yuktavaṭārakā | tatra saptarṣibhiḥ sārtham āruhethā mahāmune ||
Mārkaṇḍeya berkata: “Hendaklah engkau menyuruh dibuat sebuah perahu yang teguh, dipasang rapi dengan tali-temali yang kuat. Kemudian, wahai mahamuni, naiklah ke perahu itu bersama Tujuh Ṛṣi.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes prudent preparation and disciplined action under wise guidance: when facing overwhelming danger, one should take practical protective measures and act in harmony with the counsel of realized sages.
Mārkaṇḍeya instructs a great sage to commission a strong, well-equipped boat and to board it together with the Seven Ṛṣis—an explicit directive for safeguarding life and preserving sacred knowledge in the face of an impending calamity.