Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 81, Shloka 12

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

Sanskrit

न जाने स प्रधानो मे शूरहस्ती सदामदः ।

मम वैरिवशं यातः कान् भोगानुपलप्स्यते ॥

Transliteration

na jāne sa pradhāno me śūra-hastī sadā-madaḥ |

mama vairi-vaśaṃ yātaḥ kān bhogān upalapsyate ||

Translation

'ਮੈਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਪਤਾ ਕਿ ਮੇਰਾ ਉਹ ਮੁੱਖ ਹਾਥੀ, ਜੋ ਬਹਾਦਰ ਅਤੇ ਸਦਾ ਮਸਤ ਰਹਿੰਦਾ ਸੀ, ਹੁਣ ਮੇਰੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਮਣਾਂ ਦੇ ਵੱਸ ਪੈ ਕੇ ਕਿਹੋ ਜਿਹੇ ਸੁੱਖ ਭੋਗ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੋਵੇਗਾ।'

Word by Word

• na: not
• na: Pratiṣedha (प्रतिषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; निषेध

• jāne: I know
• jāne: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √jñā (ज्ञा धातु)
• Form: लट् (वर्तमान), उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• pradhānaḥ: chief minister/leader
• pradhānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pradhāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (मुख्यः/प्रधानः)

• me: my
• me: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी, एकवचन (enclitic genitive)

• śūra-hastī: the valiant elephant
• śūra-hastī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śūra (प्रातिपदिक) + hastin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारय: ‘शूरः हस्ती’ = a valiant elephant

• sadā-madaḥ: always in rut
• sadā-madaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sadā (अव्यय) + mada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण (śūra-hastī); अव्ययीभाव: ‘sadā’ + ‘mada’ = always in rut/intoxicated

• mama: of me/my
• mama: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: षष्ठी, एकवचन

• vairi-vaśam: into the enemy’s control
• vairi-vaśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vairin (प्रातिपदिक) + vaśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: ‘vairiṇaḥ vaśaḥ’ = enemy’s control

• yātaḥ: having gone
• yātaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yā (या धातु) + क्त
• Form: भूतकृदन्त (past active participle), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; (śūra-hastī) ‘having gone’

• kān: which/what
• kān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन; प्रश्नवाचक विशेषण (bhogān)

• bhogān: enjoyments/pleasures
• bhogān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhoga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• upalapsyate: will obtain
• upalapsyate: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa- + √labh (लभ् धातु)
• Form: लृट् (भविष्यत्), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; आत्मनेपद

Speakers

• Narrator within the Devi Mahatmyam frame (Suratha’s thoughts)

Shakti Aspects

• Implicit: Mahāmāyā as attachment even to dependent beings/possessions

Key Themes

• Residual attachment
• Compassion mixed with possessiveness
• Worldly concern persisting in exile

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Bondage is subtle: concern extends beyond self to one’s assets and dependents; without discernment, even compassion can be entangled with ‘mine-ness’.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Ancillary narrative (ākhyāna) setting up the central Devi doctrine: why beings remain attached even when reason says they should detach.

What is the esoteric significance?

The ‘chief elephant’ can symbolize pride/royal power or the strongest impulse; when captured by ‘enemies’ (negative tendencies), it is redirected toward inferior ‘bhoga’ rather than dharmic purpose.