Shloka 2
उत्तङ्कोपाख्यानप्रारम्भः — Uttanka’s Tapas, Viṣṇu-stuti, and the Dhundhumāra Prophecy
Opening
स्थापयित्वा च मर्यादा: स्वयम्भुविहिता: शुभा: । वन॑ पुण्ययश:कर्मा रमणीयं प्रवेक्ष्यति,उनका यश तथा कर्म सभी परम पावन होंगे। वे ब्रह्माजीकी चलायी हुई मंगलमयी मर्यादाओंकी स्थापना करके (तपस्याके लिये) रमणीय वनमें प्रवेश करेंगे
sthāpayitvā ca maryādāḥ svayambhuvihitāḥ śubhāḥ | vanaṁ puṇyayaśaḥkarmā ramaṇīyaṁ pravekṣyati ||
Mārkaṇḍeya disse: “Tendo estabelecido os auspiciosos limites da reta conduta ordenados por Svayambhū (Brahmā), ele—cuja fama e feitos são inteiramente purificadores—entrará numa floresta aprazível, retirando-se ao ermo para a prática disciplinada e a proteção do dharma.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is upheld by consciously establishing maryādā—clear ethical boundaries and norms—grounded in authoritative, cosmic order (here attributed to Svayambhū/Brahmā). True renown is not mere fame but the moral purity of one’s actions, which becomes a source of sanctity for oneself and others.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a virtuous figure who, after setting in place auspicious rules of conduct, withdraws into a beautiful forest—suggesting a transition from worldly life to disciplined practice (tapas) and a dharma-centered mode of living.