Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 50, Shloka 74

Adhyaya 50 — Mind-Born Progeny, Svayambhuva Manu’s Lineage, and Brahmā’s Ordinance to Duḥsaha (Alakṣmī’s Retinue)

Sanskrit

यजनाध्ययनाभ्यासदानासक्तमतिं सदा ।

याजनाध्यापनादानकृतवृत्तिं द्विजं त्यज ॥

Transliteration

yajanādhyayanābhyāsa-dānāsakta-matiṃ sadā | yājanādhyāpanādāna-kṛta-vṛttiṃ dvijaṃ tyaja ||

Translation

ਜੋ ਦ੍ਵਿਜ (ਬ੍ਰਾਹਮਣ) ਸਦਾ ਯਜ੍ਞ, ਅਧਿਐਨ, ਅਭਿਆਸ ਅਤੇ ਦਾਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੀਨ ਰਹੇ, ਅਤੇ ਯਾਜਨ, ਅਧਿਆਪਨ ਤੇ ਦਾਨ‑ਪ੍ਰਤਿਗ੍ਰਹ ਰਾਹੀਂ ਜੀਵਿਕਾ ਕਮਾਏ—ਉਸ ਤੋਂ ਦੂਰ ਰਹੋ।

Word by Word

• yajana-adhyayana-abhyāsa-dāna-āsakta-matim: one whose mind is always attached to sacrifice, study, practice, and giving
• yajana-adhyayana-abhyāsa-dāna-āsakta-matim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yajana (प्रातिपदिक) + adhyayana (प्रातिपदिक) + abhyāsa (प्रातिपदिक) + dāna (प्रातिपदिक) + āsakta (कृदन्त; √sañj/√saj) + mati (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; बहुपद-समासः (तत्पुरुषः) — ‘यजने, अध्ययने, अभ्यासे, दाने च आसक्ता मतिः यस्य’ (one whose mind is attached to sacrifice/study/practice/giving)

• sadā: always
• sadā: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; adverb (कालवाचक क्रियाविशेषण)

• yājana-adhyāpana-ādāna-kṛta-vṛttim: one who earns his livelihood by officiating, teaching, and accepting (gifts/fees)
• yājana-adhyāpana-ādāna-kṛta-vṛttim: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: yājana (प्रातिपदिक) + adhyāpana (प्रातिपदिक) + ādāna (प्रातिपदिक) + kṛta (कृदन्त; √kṛ) + vṛtti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular; तत्पुरुष-समासः — ‘याजनेन, अध्यापनेन, आदानेन च कृतवृत्तिः’ (one who makes his livelihood by officiating, teaching, and taking/accepting)

• dvijam: a twice-born (Brahmin)
• dvijam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvija (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• tyaja: abandon/avoid
• tyaja: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √tyaj (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra (Imperative/आज्ञार्थ), Parasmaipada, Madhyama-puruṣa (2nd person/मध्यम), Singular (एकवचन)

Speakers

• Dharma-instructor addressing a Yakṣa (didactic counsel within the Purāṇic dialogue frame)

Verse Rasa

{ "primaryRasa": "dharma", "secondaryRasa": "shanta", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

Key Themes

• Dharma
• Varṇāśrama duties
• Right livelihood
• Sacrifice and learning

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

A life rooted in yajña, svādhyāya, and dāna is presented as spiritually fortified; the Yakṣa is instructed to keep away from such merit-rich persons.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Normative dharma content (ācāra) rather than cosmology/genealogy.

What is the esoteric significance?

Yajña and svādhyāya generate 'protective' puṇya and mantra-śakti; such radiance is incompatible with afflictive beings.