Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 50, Shloka 42
Adhyaya 50 — Mind-Born Progeny, Svayambhuva Manu’s Lineage, and Brahmā’s Ordinance to Duḥsaha (Alakṣmī’s Retinue)
दुःसह उवाच क्षुत्क्षामोऽस्मि जगन्नाथ ! पिपासुश्चापि दुर्बलः ।
कथं तृप्तिमियान्नाथ ! भवेयं बलवान् कथम् ।
कश्चाश्रयो ममाख्याहि वर्तेयं यत्र निर्वृतः ॥
duḥsaha uvāca kṣutkṣāmo 'smi jagannātha! pipāsuścāpi durbalaḥ | kathaṃ tṛptim iyān nātha! bhaveyaṃ balavān katham | kaścāśrayo mamā'khyāhi varteyaṃ yatra nirvṛtaḥ ||
துஃஸஹன் கூறினான்—“ஹே ஜகதீஸ்வரா! நான் பசியால் மெலிந்தேன்; தாகத்தாலும் வலியற்றவனாகவும் உள்ளேன். ஆண்டவா, எனக்கு திருப்தி எவ்வாறு கிடைக்கும்? நான் வலிமை பெறுவது எப்படி? சொல்லுங்கள்—எனக்கு அடைக்கலம் எது, நான் எங்கே நிம்மதியாக வாழலாம்?”
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FAQs
The text shows how destructive impulses rationalize themselves as ‘need’ (hunger/thirst) and seek a sanctioned outlet. Ethically, it warns that unchecked craving looks for environments that will feed it—hence the importance of guarding one’s habits and home.
Didactic dialogue within narrative; not one of the five characteristics directly, but supports dharma teaching by dramatizing guṇa-driven appetites.
Hunger/thirst symbolize endless lack (abhāva) at the root of tamas. The request for ‘āśraya’ implies: every tendency seeks an abode in the psyche; the sādhaka must deny abode to tamasic patterns.