Shloka 46
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa
तस्मात्तवेह भगवन्नथ तावकानां शुक्लां तनुं स्वदयितां कुशला भजन्ति । यत् सात्वता: पुरुषरूपमुशन्ति सत्त्वं लोको यतोऽभयमुतात्मसुखं न चान्यत् ॥ ४६ ॥
tasmāt taveha bhagavann atha tāvakānāṁ śuklāṁ tanuṁ sva-dayitāṁ kuśalā bhajanti yat sātvatāḥ puruṣa-rūpam uśanti sattvaṁ loko yato ’bhayam utātma-sukhaṁ na cānyat
तस्मात् तवेह भगवन् तावकाः कुशलाः शुक्लां तनुं स्वदयितां भजन्ति। यत् सात्वताः पुरुषरूपमुशन्ति सत्त्वं, यतो लोकोऽभयमुत आत्मसुखं न चान्यत्।
Intelligent persons do not worship the demigods, who represent the modes of passion and ignorance. Lord Brahmā represents passion, Lord Śiva represents ignorance, and demigods such as Indra also represent the modes of material nature. But Lord Viṣṇu, or Nārāyaṇa, represents pure spiritual goodness, which brings one realization of the spiritual world, freedom from fear, and spiritual bliss. Such benefits can never be derived from impure, material goodness, for it is always mixed with the modes of passion and ignorance. As clearly indicated in this verse, the transcendental form of God is fully constituted of eternal spiritual goodness and thus has no tinge of the material mode of goodness, passion or ignorance.
FAQs
This verse states that fearlessness arises from the Supreme Lord—the pure Person worshiped by devotees—and not from any other shelter.
In his prayer, Markandeya explains that wise devotees worship the Lord’s pure, beloved form because it is acknowledged as the Supreme Person and the source of true inner happiness and fearlessness.
Cultivate steady devotional worship and remembrance of the Lord, seeking inner stability and freedom from anxiety rather than relying solely on external, temporary supports.