Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 22, Shloka 8
Adhyaya 22 — Kuvalayashva’s Death through Daitya-Deceit and Madalasa’s Self-Immolation
राजपुत्र ब्रवीमि त्वां तत् कुरुष्व यदीच्छसि ।
न च ते प्रार्थनाभङ्गः कार्यः सत्यप्रतिश्रव ॥
rājaputra brīvīmi tvāṃ tat kuruṣva yadīcchasi | na ca te prārthanābhaṅgaḥ kāryaḥ satyapratiśrava
王子啊，我对你如此说——若你愿意，便去做吧。但你这以真实为誓者，切莫违背他人之所求。
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FAQs
Truthfulness is a virtue, but the verse sets up a classic dharmic tension: a vow can be exploited by the deceitful. Dharma demands not only keeping promises but also wise evaluation of what one commits to.
Narrative (ākhyāna) used to explore dharma in practice—particularly satya and the dangers of absolutism without discernment.
The 'truth-pledge' invoked by an impostor symbolizes how spiritual ideals can be weaponized; inner truth must be paired with viveka (discriminative insight).