Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 23, Shloka 60

Adhyaya 23 — Ashvatara’s Vow for Madalasa and the Bestowal of Musical Science by Sarasvati

Sanskrit

आरिराधयिषू देवं अनङ्गाङ्गहरं हरम् ।

प्रचक्रतुः परं यत्नमुभौ संहतवाक्कलौ ॥

Transliteration

ārirādhayiṣū devamanaṅgāṅgaharaṃ haram / pracakratuḥ paraṃ yatnamubhau saṃhatavākkalau

Translation

为欲令神明欢悦——哈拉，毁灭无身者阿难伽（迦摩）之躯者——二者同声同艺，竭尽至极之努力。

Word by Word

• ārirādhayiṣū: wishing to propitiate
• ārirādhayiṣū: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ā-rādh (धातु) + iṣu (इषु-प्रत्यय, desiderative/intentive adjective)
• Form: Desiderative/intentive adjective (इषु-प्रत्ययान्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Dual (द्विवचन); qualifying ‘ubhau/nāgau’: ‘wishing to propitiate’

• devam: the god
• devam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: deva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• anaṅga-aṅga-haram: destroyer of Anaṅga’s body (burner of Kāma)
• anaṅga-aṅga-haram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anaṅga (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅga (प्रातिपदिक) + hara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); epithet qualifying ‘haram/devam’: ‘destroyer of Anaṅga’s body’

• haram: Hara (Śiva)
• haram: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hara (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• pracakratuḥ: they undertook; they performed
• pracakratuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√kṛ (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Dual (द्विवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• param: great; intense
• param: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन); qualifying ‘yatnam’

• yatnam: effort
• yatnam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yatna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular (एकवचन)

• ubhau: both (of them)
• ubhau: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ubhaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Dual (द्विवचन)

• saṃhata-vāk-kalau: with united speech and artistry
• saṃhata-vāk-kalau: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṃhata (प्रातिपदिक) + vāk (प्रातिपदिक) + kala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (प्रथमा/1), Dual (द्विवचन); qualifying ‘ubhau’: ‘having combined speech and skill/art’

Speakers

• Narrative voice

Verse Rasa

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

Primary Deities

• Śiva

Key Themes

• Austerity and effort
• Devotional music
• Śiva epithets

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Success in worship is linked to ekāgratā and cooperation: ‘united voice and skill’ models harmony of intention, method, and community.

How does this fit the Pancalakṣaṇa (5 characteristics)?

Narrative devotion; outside pancalakṣaṇa.

What is the esoteric significance?

Śiva as ‘burner of Kāma’ represents mastery over desire; musical discipline here becomes a vehicle for sublimation and inward control.