Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 50, Shloka 81

Adhyaya 50 — Mind-Born Progeny, Svayambhuva Manu’s Lineage, and Brahmā’s Ordinance to Duḥsaha (Alakṣmī’s Retinue)

Sanskrit

भास्करादृष्टशय्यानि नित्याग्निसलिलानि च ।

सूर्यावलोकदीपानि लक्ष्म्या गेहानि भाजनम् ॥

Transliteration

bhāskarādṛṣṭa-śayyāni nityāgni-salilāni ca | sūryāvaloka-dīpāni lakṣmyā gehāni bhājanam ||

Translation

எந்த இல்லங்களில் படுக்கை சூரிய ஒளியில் தென்படுகிறதோ, அங்கே அக்கினியும் நீரும் தினமும் முறையாக ஒழுங்குபடுத்தப்பட்டிருக்கிறதோ, மேலும் விளக்குகள் சூரியன் பார்வை பெறுமாறு வைக்கப்படுகிறதோ—அத்தகைய இல்லங்கள் லட்சுமிக்குத் தகுந்த பாத்திரங்கள்.

Word by Word

• bhāskara-adṛṣṭa-śayyāni: (houses) whose beds are not seen by the sun
• bhāskara-adṛṣṭa-śayyāni: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhāskara + a-dṛṣṭa (कृदन्त; √dṛś) + śayyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया; बहुवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः—भास्करेण अदृष्टाः शय्याः येषु (beds not seen by the sun); (गेहानि इति विशेषणम्)

• nitya-agni-salilāni: (houses) with constant fire and water
• nitya-agni-salilāni: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: nitya + agni + salila (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया; बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (agni + salila) with nitya as qualifier: 'having constant fire and water'; (गेहानि इति विशेषणम्)

• ca: and
• ca: Samuccaya (समुच्चय)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; समुच्चयबोधक-निपात (conjunction)

• sūrya-avaloka-dīpāni: (houses) with lamps for viewing the sun
• sūrya-avaloka-dīpāni: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sūrya + avaloka (प्रातिपदिक) + dīpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया; बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः—सूर्यस्य अवलोकः (दर्शनम्) येषां दीपानां/दीपवत् (lamps for seeing the sun / sun-viewing lamps); (गेहानि इति विशेषणम्)

• lakṣmyā: by/with Lakṣmī (fortune)
• lakṣmyā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: lakṣmī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd/Instrumental); एकवचन

• gehāni: houses
• gehāni: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: geha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st/Nominative); बहुवचन

• bhājanam: a receptacle, abode
• bhājanam: Pradhāna (विधेय/प्रधाना)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhājana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; प्रथमा/द्वितीया; एकवचन; विधेय (predicate nominative)

Speakers

• Didactic voice within household-instruction; Lakṣmī explicitly mentioned

Primary Deities

• Lakṣmī
• Sūrya (Bhāskara)

Shakti Aspects

• Lakṣmī (as prosperity/auspicious presence
• not martial Devī forms)

Key Themes

• Lakṣmī
• Household order
• Light/sun symbolism
• Śauca
• Daily discipline

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Prosperity is linked to clarity and order: sunlight, proper maintenance of fire and water, and well-kept living spaces symbolize transparency, diligence, and readiness—qualities that sustain a thriving household.

How does this fit the Pancalakṣaṇa (5 characteristics)?

Dharma-upadeśa adjunct; not directly one of the pañcalakṣaṇa narrative strands.

What is the esoteric significance?

Sunlight and lamps represent consciousness and truth that dispel tamas. ‘Fire and water’ also hint at balancing transformative energy (agni) and cooling/purifying flow (jala), making the home a stable seat for Lakṣmī.