Draupadī’s Lament and Theodicy: Dharma, Dice, and Īśvara’s Governance (Āraṇyaka-parva 31)
प्रत्यक्ष हि त्वया दृष्ट ऋषिर्गच्छन् महातपा: । मार्कण्डेयोडप्रमेयात्मा धर्मेण चिरजीविता,तुमने अमेयात्मा महातपस्वी मार्कण्डेयजीको जो अभी यहाँसे गये हैं, प्रत्यक्ष देखा है। उन्हें धर्मपालनसे ही चिरजीविता प्राप्त हुई है
pratyakṣaṃ hi tvayā dṛṣṭa ṛṣir gacchan mahātapāḥ | mārkaṇḍeyo 'prameyātmā dharmeṇa cirajīvitā ||
尤狄施提罗说道:“因为你确已亲眼见到那位大苦行的圣仙——马尔坎德耶(Mārkaṇḍeya)从此处离去;其内在本性不可度量。正是凭借对达摩(dharma) 的坚定奉行,他才获得长寿。”
युधिछिर उवाच
The verse links longevity and spiritual stature to dharma: sustained righteous conduct is presented as the cause of Mārkaṇḍeya’s extraordinary long life and revered status.
Yudhiṣṭhira points out that the listener has personally witnessed the great sage Mārkaṇḍeya departing; he uses this immediate observation to underscore Mārkaṇḍeya’s dharmic life and its fruit—long life.