Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 34, Shloka 35

Adhyaya 34 — Madālāsā’s Instruction on Sadācāra (Householder Conduct, Purity, and Daily Rites)

Sanskrit

न पाणिभ्यामुभाभ्याञ्च कण्डूयेत शिरस्तथा ।

न चाभीक्ष्णं शिरः स्नानं कार्यं निष्कारणं नरैः ॥

Transliteration

na pāṇibhyām ubhābhyāṃ ca kaṇḍūyeta śiras tathā | na cābhīkṣṇaṃ śiraḥ-snānaṃ kāryaṃ niṣkāraṇaṃ naraiḥ ||

Translation

不可用双手同时搔抓头部。男子亦不应无故频繁洗头沐顶。

Word by Word

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• पाणिभ्याम्: with (both) hands
• पाणिभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pāṇi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया द्विवचन (instrumental dual)

• उभाभ्याम्: with both
• उभाभ्याम्: Karana (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ubhā (प्रातिपदिक/सर्वनाम)
• Form: उभ-शब्द, तृतीया द्विवचन; विशेषण (qualifying पाणिभ्याम्)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• कण्डूयेत: should scratch (itch)
• कण्डूयेत: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √कण्डू (धातु)
• Form: विधिलिङ् (optative), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• शिरः: the head
• शिरः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन

• तथा: likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb)

• न: not
• न: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/निषेध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय

• अभीक्ष्णम्: frequent, repeatedly
• अभीक्ष्णम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: abhīkṣṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया एकवचन; क्रियाविशेषणवत् (adverbially: frequently)

• शिरः: of the head
• शिरः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śiras (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी एकवचन (genitive; dependent on स्नानम्)

• स्नानम्: bathing
• स्नानम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: snāna (प्रातिपदिक; from √स्ना धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन

• कार्यम्: to be done/should be done
• कार्यम्: Kriya (क्रियाविशेषण/विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kārya (प्रातिपदिक; कृ-धातोः कृत्य-प्रत्यय)
• Form: कृत्य-प्रत्ययान्त (gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; विधेय-विशेषण (predicate: to be done)

• निष्कारणम्: without cause, groundless
• निष्कारणम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: niṣ-kāraṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (निः + कारणम्), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा एकवचन; विशेषण

• नरैः: by men
• नरैः: Karta (कर्ता/कर्तृकरणे तृतीया)
• Type: Noun
• Root: nara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, तृतीया बहुवचन (instrumental; agent in passive sense)

Speakers

• Dharmic instruction within the Markandeya Purana’s didactic discourse (speaker not specified in the provided extract)

Verse Rasa

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

Key Themes

• Dharma
• Decorum
• Bodily discipline
• Auspicious conduct

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Small bodily gestures are moralized as expressions of refinement and restraint. Avoiding needless, repetitive acts also signals moderation rather than compulsive behavior.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Ācāra/dharma instruction; not pañcalakṣaṇa.

What is the esoteric significance?

The head is treated as a ‘seat’ of prāṇa and dignity; careless handling implies inner restlessness. Moderation in cleansing rituals suggests balancing purity with steadiness (sthiti).