Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 28, Shloka 16
Adhyaya 28 — Alarka Inquires into Varna and Ashrama Dharma; Madalasa Defines the Fourfold Duties
तत्रैव वा गुरोर्गेहे द्विजो निष्ठामवाप्नुयात् ।
गुरोरभावे तत्पुत्रे तच्छिष्ये तత్సुतं विना ॥
tatraiva vā guror gehe dvijo niṣṭhām avāpnuyāt /
guror abhāve tatputre tacchiṣye tatsutaṃ vinā //
就在彼处——或在该住期（āśrama）中，或在师长之家——二次生者（dvija）应当以坚定之心成就其戒律修学之圆满。若导师（guru）不在，当依止导师之子；若亦无，则依止导师之弟子——不可越过他们，即不可轻忽此一师承权威之系谱。
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FAQs
Learning and discipline are safeguarded by legitimate mentorship. The text emphasizes continuity of authority (guru → son → disciple), discouraging self-authorized completion without recognized guidance.
Didactic dharma material (ācāra) rather than the cosmological five. It is an example of Purāṇas functioning as Dharma-śāstra-like instruction within narrative frames.
The ‘lineage of transmission’ symbolizes preservation of śruti/vidyā purity: knowledge ripens through humility and service, not merely personal effort.