Shloka 19
Adhyāya 188: Mārkaṇḍeya’s Account of Yuga-Decline and the Restoration Motif
Kali-yuga to Kalki
नय मां भगवन् साधो समुद्रमहिषीं प्रियाम् । गड्गां तत्र निवत्स्यामि यथा वा तात मन्यसे,“भगवन्! साधुबाबा! अब आप मुझे समुद्रकी प्यारी पटरानी गंगाजीमें ले चलिये। मैं वहीं निवास करूँगा। अथवा तात! आप जहाँ उचित समझें, ले चलें। अनघ! मुझे दोषदृष्टिका परित्याग करके सदा आपके आज्ञापालनमें स्थिर रहना है; क्योंकि आपके कारण ही मैं भलीभाँति पुष्ट होकर इतना बड़ा हुआ हूँ"
naya māṃ bhagavan sādho samudramahiṣīṃ priyām | gaṅgāṃ tatra nivatsyāmi yathā vā tāta manyase ||
Disse Mārkaṇḍeya: “O peixe disse: ‘Ó venerável, ó homem virtuoso, leva-me ao Gaṅgā, a amada rainha principal do Oceano. Ali habitarei; ou, querido pai, leva-me aonde julgares apropriado. Abandonarei o olhar que procura faltas e permanecerei firme na obediência ao teu comando, pois foi por tua causa que fui bem nutrido e cresci até esta estatura.’”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes humility and disciplined obedience: one should give up fault-finding and follow the guidance of a revered elder/benefactor with gratitude, recognizing the support that enabled one’s growth.
Mārkaṇḍeya respectfully requests to be taken to Gaṅgā—described as the Ocean’s beloved chief queen—and declares his intention to live there, while also yielding the decision to the elder’s judgment and affirming loyal compliance.