Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 81, Shloka 62

Adhyaya 81 — Suratha and Samadhi Seek Sage Medhas; Introduction to Mahamaya and the Madhukaitabha Origin Account

Sanskrit

सौम्या सौम्यतराशेषसौम्येभ्यस्त्वतिसुन्दरी ।

परापराणां परमा त्वमेव परमेश्वरी ॥

Transliteration

saumyā saumyatarāśeṣa-saumyebhyas tv ati-sundarī | parāparāṇāṁ paramā tvam eva parameśvarī ||

Translation

Ngài hiền hòa—hiền hòa hơn mọi điều hiền hòa—vô cùng mỹ lệ. Tối thượng giữa cả bậc cao và bậc thấp, chỉ riêng Ngài là Nữ Chúa Tể Tối Cao (Parameśvarī).

Word by Word

• सौम्या: gentle, auspicious
• सौम्या: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate nominative adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सौम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• सौम्यतरा: more gentle
• सौम्यतरा: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate nominative adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सौम्यतर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा, एकवचन; तरप्-प्रत्यय (comparative): ‘more gentle’

• अशेषसौम्येभ्यः: than all the gentle ones
• अशेषसौम्येभ्यः: Apadana (अपादान/Ablative—standard of comparison)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अशेषसौम्य = अशेष + सौम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (m./n.), पञ्चमी-विभक्ति (Ablative/5th), बहुवचन (Plural); ‘from all (those) gentle ones’

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: 2nd person pronoun, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• अतिसुन्दरी: exceedingly beautiful
• अतिसुन्दरी: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate nominative adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अतिसुन्दरी = अति (उपसर्ग/अव्यय) + सुन्दरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण; अव्ययीभाव-समास: ‘exceedingly beautiful’

• परापराणाम्: of the higher and the lower
• परापराणाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive relation)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परापर = पर + अपर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग/नपुंसकलिङ्ग (m./n.), षष्ठी (Gen./6th), बहुवचन; ‘of the higher and the lower (beings/realities)’

• परमा: supreme
• परमा: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate nominative adjective)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: परम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषण

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: 2nd person pronoun, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• एव: indeed, alone
• एव: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अवधारण-अव्यय (particle of emphasis)

• परमेश्वरी: the supreme goddess
• परमेश्वरी: Karta (कर्ता/Predicate nominative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: परमेश्वरी = परम + ईश्वरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग (f.), प्रथमा, एकवचन

Speakers

• Brahmā to Devī

Verse Rasa

{ "primaryRasa": "bhakti", "secondaryRasa": "shanta", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

Primary Deities

• Devī
• Brahmā

Shakti Aspects

• Parameśvarī; benevolent (saumyā) supreme Devī

Key Themes

• Devī’s supremacy
• Transcendence and immanence (parā–aparā)
• Benevolence and beauty
• Shaktism

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

The supreme principle is not only power but also benevolence and beauty; ultimate reality is presented as worthy of love and trust, not merely fear.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

A theological capstone within the narrative: it frames the supreme governing principle behind Sarga/Pratisarga and the maintenance of order, rather than detailing Manvantaras or dynasties.

What is the esoteric significance?

‘Parā–aparā’ suggests Devī as both beyond attributes and present within attributes; spiritual realization is the reconciliation of transcendence (silence) with immanence (worldly beauty and gentleness).