Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 43, Shloka 8
Adhyaya 43 — Portents of Death (Ariṣṭa-lakṣaṇas) and the Yogin’s Response; Alarka Renounces Kingship
गृध्रः कपोतः काकालो वायसो वापि मूर्धनि ।
क्रव्यादो वा खगो नीलः षण्मासायुः प्रदर्शकः ॥
gṛdhraḥ kapotaḥ kākālo vāyaso vāpi mūrdhani / kravyādo vā khago nīlaḥ ṣaṇmāsāyuḥ pradarśakaḥ
Kung ang buwitre, kalapati, uwak, o maging ang raven ay dumapo sa ulo ng isang tao—o kung ang bughaw na ibong kumakain ng laman ay gayon din—sinasabing palatandaan ito na anim na buwan na lamang ang nalalabing buhay.
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FAQs
The passage frames mortality as legible through ‘nimittas’ (signs), encouraging vigilance, detachment, and timely performance of dharma (repentance, charity, rites) when ominous indicators appear.
It is not a Pancalakṣaṇa topic (sarga, pratisarga, vaṃśa, manvantara, vaṃśānucarita). It belongs to ancillary dharma/nimitta instruction embedded within the Purāṇic dialogue tradition.
Carrion birds symbolize the approach of dissolution (mṛtyu) and the body’s impermanence; the ‘head’ locus suggests the eclipse of one’s vital radiance/tejas and impending severance from embodied identity.