Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 29, Shloka 11
Adhyaya 29 — Alarka’s Inquiry and Madalasa’s Teaching on Householder Dharma (Gārhasthya), Vaiśvadeva, and Atithi Hospitality
Sanskrit
हन्तकारं मनुष्याश्च पिबन्ति सततं स्तनम् ।
एवमाप्याययत्येषा वत्स ! धेनुस्त्रयीमयी ॥
Transliteration
hantakāraṃ manuṣyāś ca pibanti satataṃ stanam | evam āpyāyayaty eṣā vatsa dhenuḥ trayīmayī ||
Translation
“人类恒常饮用名为 Hantā-kāra 的乳头。是故，哎，小牛啊，此牛由三部吠陀（trayī）所成，滋养一切。”
Speakers
Instructional dialogue (elder to disciple/‘son’)
Key Themes
DharmaVedic worldviewHuman duty within cosmic reciprocitySymbolism of the cow