Bhakti-Śraddhā-Ācāra-Māhātmya and the Commencement of the Mārkaṇḍeya Narrative
पूर्वार्जितानि पापानि नाशमायान्ति यस्य वै । सत्सङ्गतिर्भवेत्तस्य नान्यथा घटते हि सा ॥ ३६ ॥
pūrvārjitāni pāpāni nāśamāyānti yasya vai | satsaṅgatirbhavettasya nānyathā ghaṭate hi sā || 36 ||
Bagi orang yang memperoleh sat-saṅga, yakni pergaulan dengan insan berbudi, dosa yang terkumpul sejak dahulu pasti lenyap. Pergaulan suci itu terjadi baginya—sesungguhnya tidak mungkin terjadi dengan cara lain.
Sanatkumara (in dialogue with Narada)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
It declares satsaṅga (holy company) as a decisive sign of inner merit: when one gains true association with the virtuous, accumulated sins begin to be destroyed, showing a turning of life toward purification and dharma.
Bhakti is strengthened through sādhu-saṅga; by keeping company with saintly devotees, one naturally adopts devotional conduct and attitudes, and the obstacles created by prior sins are reduced.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa or Jyotiṣa) is taught here; the practical takeaway is ethical discipline—seeking satsaṅga as a lived method for purification and steady dharmic practice.