Shloka 9
Adhyāya 188: Mārkaṇḍeya’s Account of Yuga-Decline and the Restoration Motif
Kali-yuga to Kalki
तस्माद् भयौघान्महतो मज्जन्तं मां विशेषतः । त्रातुमहसि कर्तास्मि कृते प्रतिकृतं तव,“इसलिये भयके महान समुद्रमें मैं डूब रहा हूँ। आप विशेष प्रयत्न करके मुझे बचानेका कष्ट करें। आपके इस उपकारके बदले मैं भी प्रत्युपकार करूँगा”
tasmād bhayaughān mahato majjantaṃ māṃ viśeṣataḥ | trātum arhasi kartāsmi kṛte pratikṛtaṃ tava ||
“Por isso, estou afundando nesta vasta torrente de medo. Deves fazer um esforço especial para me salvar. Em troca desta tua bondade, eu também te retribuirei com um serviço à altura.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical reciprocity: when one receives protection or help in distress, one should respond with gratitude and a commitment to repay the kindness appropriately, reinforcing mutual obligation and dharmic conduct.
Mārkaṇḍeya, speaking in the first person, portrays himself as overwhelmed—"sinking" in a flood of fear—and urgently requests rescue, promising to return the favor with a suitable counter-service.