Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 81, Shloka 40

Adhyaya 81 — Suratha and Samadhi Seek Sage Medhas; Introduction to Mahamaya and the Madhukaitabha Origin Account

Sanskrit

तथापि ममतावर्ते मोहगर्ते निपातिताः ।

महामायाप्रभावेण संसारस्थितिकारिणा ॥

Transliteration

tathāpi mamatāvarte mohagarte nipātitāḥ / mahāmāyāprabhāveṇa saṃsārasthitikāriṇā

Translation

同样地，他们被抛入“我所”的旋涡与迷妄之坑；这是大幻力（Mahāmāyā）之威能，使世间轮回（saṃsāra）得以延续。

Word by Word

• tathā: thus
• tathā: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tathā (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (क्रियाविशेषण) ‘thus/so’

• api: even
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) ‘even/also’

• mamatā-āvarte: in the whirlpool of ‘mine-ness’
• mamatā-āvarte: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mamatā (प्रातिपदिक) + āvarta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘in the whirlpool of possessiveness’

• moha-garte: in the pit of delusion
• moha-garte: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: moha (प्रातिपदिक) + garta (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Locative (7th/सप्तमी), Singular (एकवचन); Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) ‘in the pit of delusion’

• nipātitāḥ: cast down / made to fall
• nipātitāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ni-√pat (नि + पत् धातु) → nipātita (कृदन्त)
• Form: Past passive participle (भूतकृदन्त/क्त), Masculine Nominative Plural (प्रथमा बहुवचन)

• mahā-māyā-prabhāveṇa: by the power of Mahāmāyā
• mahā-māyā-prabhāveṇa: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mahā (प्रातिपदिक) + māyā (प्रातिपदिक) + prabhāva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन); multi-member Tatpuruṣa ‘by the power of the great Māyā’

• saṃsāra-sthiti-kāriṇā: by (that) which maintains worldly existence
• saṃsāra-sthiti-kāriṇā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: saṃsāra (प्रातिपदिक) + sthiti (प्रातिपदिक) + kārin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine/Neuter Instrumental Singular (तृतीया एकवचन) of kārin-stem; Tatpuruṣa ‘by that which causes the continuance of saṃsāra’ (qualifying prabhāveṇa)

Speakers

• Ṛṣi speaking

Verse Rasa

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

Primary Deities

• Devī (Mahāmāyā)

Shakti Aspects

• Mahāmāyā (explicit)

Key Themes

• Mahāmāyā
• Saṃsāra
• Mamatā
• Moha
• Bondage

FAQs

What is the philosophical or ethical takeaway?

The root of bondage is not mere ignorance but possessiveness and delusion energized by cosmic māyā. Ethical practice aims to reduce mamatā (clinging) through detachment, right action, and devotion.

How does this fit the Pancalakshana (5 characteristics)?

Theological-philosophical teaching within the Devī Māhātmya; it supports the Purāṇic aim of dharma and mokṣa but is not itself a pañcalakṣaṇa category.

What is the esoteric significance?

Whirlpool and pit are inner states: cyclical thought-patterns (āvarta) and collapse of clarity (garta). Mahāmāyā is the binding Śakti; the same Śakti, when worshipped, becomes liberating (yogamāyā).