Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 81, Shloka 53

Adhyaya 81 — Suratha and Samadhi Seek Sage Medhas; Introduction to Mahamaya and the Madhukaitabha Origin Account

Sanskrit

ब्रह्मोवाच विश्वेश्वरीं जगद्धात्रीं स्थितिसंहारकारिणीम् ।

निद्रां भगवतीं विष्णोरतुलां तेजसः प्रभुः ॥

Transliteration

brahmovāca viśveśvarīṁ jagaddhātrīṁ sthiti-saṁhārakāriṇīm | nidrāṁ bhagavatīṁ viṣṇor atulāṁ tejasaḥ prabhuḥ ||

Translation

ବ୍ରହ୍ମା କହିଲେ—ତେଜର ଅଧିପତି ପ୍ରଭୁ ବ୍ରହ୍ମା ସେଇ ବିଶ୍ୱାଧିଷ୍ଠାତ୍ରୀ, ଜଗତ୍‌ଧାରିଣୀ, ସ୍ଥିତି ଓ ପ୍ରଳୟକାରିଣୀ—ବିଷ୍ଣୁଙ୍କ ପବିତ୍ର ନିଦ୍ରା, ଅତୁଳ ତେଜସ୍ୱିନୀ ଦେବୀଙ୍କୁ ସ୍ତୁତି କଲେ।

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मा: Brahmā
• ब्रह्मा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verbal action)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect/परोक्शभूत), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd), एकवचन; परस्मैपद

• विश्वेश्वरीम्: the sovereign of the universe
• विश्वेश्वरीम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विश्व-ईश्वरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (विश्वस्य ईश्वरी)

• जगद्धात्रीम्: the sustainer of the world
• जगद्धात्रीम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: जगत्-धात्री (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (जगतः धात्री)

• स्थिति-संहार-कारिणीम्: the doer of preservation and dissolution
• स्थिति-संहार-कारिणीम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्थिति + संहार + कारिणी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुष (स्थिति-संहारयोः कारिणी)

• निद्राम्: sleep (personified)
• निद्राम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: निद्रा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• भगवतीम्: divine, venerable
• भगवतीम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (qualifier)

• विष्णोः: of Viṣṇu
• विष्णोः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: विष्णु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• अतुलाम्: incomparable
• अतुलाम्: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अतुल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण

• तेजसः: of splendor/energy
• तेजसः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तेजस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/Genitive), एकवचन

• प्रभुः: the Lord/master
• प्रभुः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speakers

• Brahmā addressing the Goddess (Yoganidrā/Mahāmāyā) to awaken Viṣṇu

Verse Rasa

{ "primaryRasa": "bhakti", "secondaryRasa": "adbhuta", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

Primary Deities

• Brahmā
• Viṣṇu
• Devī (Mahādevī/Yoganidrā)

Shakti Aspects

• Yoganidrā
• Mahāmāyā (as Viṣṇu’s cosmic sleep)

Key Themes

• Shaktism
• Cosmic functions (creation–preservation–dissolution)
• Devī as supreme power
• Hymn (stuti)

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

The verse frames Devī not as a subordinate force but as the sovereign power governing cosmic maintenance and dissolution; even Viṣṇu’s sleep is her manifestation—implying divine agency behind states like wakefulness and slumber.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Primarily within Sarga/Pratisarga theology (cosmic process) expressed as Devī’s control over preservation and dissolution; it is embedded in the narrative portion rather than a genealogical Manvantara catalogue.

What is the esoteric significance?

Yoganidrā symbolizes the veiling power (āvaraṇa-śakti) that can bind even the preserver; liberation/action begins when that power is propitiated and ‘withdrawn,’ allowing awakened consciousness (Viṣṇu) to act.