Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 51, Shloka 17

Adhyaya 51 — Yaksha Injunctions: Graha-Children and Female Spirits Causing Domestic and Ritual Disruptions

Sanskrit

शुभाशुभञ्च शकुनिः कुमारो 'न्यो ब्रवीति वै ।

तत्रापि दुष्टे व्याक्षेपः प्रारम्भत्याग एव च ॥

Transliteration

śubhāśubhañ ca śakuniḥ kumāro 'nyo bravīti vai | tatrāpi duṣṭe vyākṣepaḥ prārambha-tyāga eva ca ||

Translation

凶兆之鸟显示吉与凶；另有一位“库玛罗”(kumāra，青年/征兆之使)亦确实宣示预兆。于彼处，若征兆不祥，当行对治，甚至应舍弃所欲兴作之事。

Word by Word

• śubha: the auspicious (sign)
• śubha: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); used as object-noun

• aśubham: the inauspicious (sign)
• aśubham: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aśubha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); coordinated with śubha

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

• śakuniḥ: the bird/omen-bird (śakuni)
• śakuniḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śakuni (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• kumāraḥ: the boy/young one
• kumāraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kumāra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); apposition to śakuniḥ

• anyaḥ: another
• anyaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); pronominal adjective

• bravīti: says/declares
• bravīti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन)

• vai: indeed
• vai: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: vai (अव्यय)
• Form: Emphatic particle (निश्चयार्थक/खल्वर्थक अव्यय)

• tatra: there/in that matter
• tatra: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tatra (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb of place (देशवाचक अव्यय)

• api: also/even
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (सम्भावन/समुच्चयार्थक अव्यय)

• duṣṭe: in the bad/inauspicious (case)
• duṣṭe: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: duṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); used substantively: 'in the bad (time/condition)'

• vyākṣepaḥ: distraction/obstruction
• vyākṣepaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vyākṣepa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• prārambha-tyāgaḥ: abandonment of undertaking
• prārambha-tyāgaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prārambha (प्रातिपदिक) + tyāga (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष: 'prārambhasya tyāgaḥ'

• eva: only/indeed
• eva: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Restrictive/emphatic particle (अवधारणार्थक अव्यय)

• ca: and
• ca: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/connector)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Conjunction particle (समुच्चयबोधक अव्यय)

Speakers

• Not explicit; didactic instruction on responding to portents.

Verse Rasa

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

Key Themes

• Omens
• Decision-making
• Prudence
• Ritual counteraction

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

Dharma includes practical wisdom: if multiple indicators warn of harm, the righteous choice may be to pause, avert, or even relinquish a venture—valuing non-harm and stability over stubbornness.

How does this fit the Pancalakṣaṇa (5 characteristics)?

Supplementary dharma/nimitta instruction.

What is the esoteric significance?

‘Abandoning an undertaking’ is also inner renunciation: when the mind receives a clear signal of disorder, withdrawing prevents karmic entanglement and preserves sattva.