S'rîmad Bhâgavatam - Canto 12
Sanskrit, word-for-word and original translation of Swami Prabhupâda
(for the purports one will have to consult the books under the copyright of the BBT)
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Canto 12: "The Age of Deterioration"
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Chapter 9: Mârkandeya Rishi Sees the Illusory Potency of the Lord
TEXT 1
sûta uvâca
samstuto bhagavân ittham
mârkandeyena dhîmatâ
nârâyano nara-sakhah
prîta âha bhrigûdvaham
sûtah uvâca-Sûta Gosvâmî said; samstutah-properly glorified; bhagavân-the Supreme Lord; ittham-in this way; mârkandeyena-by Mârkandeya; dhî-matâ-the intelligent sage; nârâyanah-Lord Nârâyana; nara-sakhah-the friend of Nara; prîtah-satisfied; âha-spoke; bhrigu-udvaham-to the most eminent descendant of Bhrigu.
TRANSLATION
Sûta Gosvâmî said: The Supreme Lord Nârâyana, the friend of Nara, was satisfied by the proper glorification offered by the intelligent sage Mârkandeya. Thus the Lord addressed that excellent descendant of Bhrigu.
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TEXT 2
s'rî-bhagavân uvâca
bho bho brahmarshi-varyo 'si
siddha âtma-samâdhinâ
mayi bhaktyânapâyinyâ
tapah-svâdhyâya-samyamaih
s'rî-bhagavân uvâca-the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; bhoh bhoh-dear sage; brahma-rishi-of all learned brâhmanas; varyah-the best; asi-you are; siddhah-perfect; âtma-samâdhinâ-by fixed meditation upon the Self; mayi-directed toward Me; bhaktyâ-by devotional service; anapâyinyâ-undeviating; tapah-by austerities; svâdhyâya-study of the Vedas; samyamaih-and regulative principles.
TRANSLATION
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Mârkandeya, you are indeed the best of all learned brâhmanas. You have perfected your life by practicing fixed meditation upon the Supreme Soul, as well as by focusing upon Me your undeviating devotional service, your austerities, your study of the Vedas and your strict adherence to regulative principles.
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TEXT 3
vayam te paritushthâh sma
tvad-brihad-vrata-caryayâ
varam pratîccha bhadram te
vara-do 'smi tvad-îpsitam
vayam-We; te-with you; paritushthâh-perfectly satisfied; sma-have become; tvat-your; brihat-vrata-of the vow of lifelong celibacy; caryayâ-by performance; varam-a benediction; pratîccha-please choose; bhadram-all good; te-unto you; vara-dah-the giver of benedictions; asmi-I am; tvat-îpsitam-desired by you.
TRANSLATION
We are perfectly satisfied with your practice of lifelong celibacy. Please choose whatever benediction you desire, since I can grant your wish. May you enjoy all good fortune.
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TEXT 4
s'rî-rishir uvâca
jitam te deva-deves'a
prapannârti-harâcyuta
varenaitâvatâlam no
yad bhavân samadris'yata
s'rî-rishih uvâca-the sage said; jitam-are victorious; te-You; deva-deva-îs'a-O Lord of lords; prapanna-of one who is surrendered; ârti-hara-O remover of all distress; acyuta-O infallible one; varena-with the benediction; etâvatâ-this much; alam-enough; nah-by us; yat-that; bhavân-Your good self; samadris'yata-has been seen.
TRANSLATION
The sage said: O Lord of lords, all glories to You! O Lord Acyuta, You remove all distress for the devotees who surrender unto You. That you have allowed me to see You is all the benediction I want.
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TEXT 5
grihîtvâjâdayo yasya
s'rîmat-pâdâbja-dars'anam
manasâ yoga-pakvena
sa bhavân me 'kshi-gocarah
grihîtvâ-receiving; aja-âdayah-(became) Brahmâ and others; yasya-whose; s'rîmat-all-opulent; pâda-abja-of the lotus feet; dars'anam-the sight; manasâ-by the mind; yoga-pakvena-matured in yoga practice; sah-He; bhavân-Yourself; me-my; akshi-to the eyes; go-carah-perceptible.
TRANSLATION
Such demigods as Lord Brahmâ achieved their exalted positions simply by seeing Your beautiful lotus feet after their minds had become mature in yoga practice. And now, my Lord, You have personally appeared before me.
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TEXT 6
athâpy ambuja-patrâksha
punya-s'loka-s'ikhâmane
drakshye mâyâm yayâ lokah
sa-pâlo veda sad-bhidâm
atha api-nonetheless; ambuja-patra-like the petals of a lotus; aksha-O You whose eyes; punya-s'loka-of famous personalities; s'ikhâmane-O crest jewel; drakshye-I desire to see; mâyâm-the illusory energy; yayâ-by which; lokah-the entire world; sa-pâlah-along with its ruling demigods; veda-considers; sat-of the absolute reality; bhidâm-material differentiation.
TRANSLATION
O lotus-eyed Lord, O crest jewel of renowned personalities, although I am satisfied simply by seeing You, I do wish to see Your illusory potency, by whose influence the entire world, together with its ruling demigods, considers reality to be materially variegated.
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TEXT 7
sûta uvâca
itîdito 'rcitah kâmam
rishinâ bhagavân mune
tatheti sa smayan prâgâd
badary-âs'ramam îs'varah
sûtah uvâca-Sûta Gosvâmî said; iti-in these words; îditah-glorified; arcitah-worshiped; kâmam-satisfactorily; rishinâ-by the sage Mârkandeya; bhagavân-the Personality of Godhead; mune-O wise S'aunaka; tathâ iti-"so be it"; sah-He; smayan-smiling; prâgât-departed; badarî-âs'ramam-for the hermitage Badarikâs'rama; îs'varah-the Supreme Lord.
TRANSLATION
Sûta Gosvâmî said: O wise S'aunaka, thus satisfied by Mârkandeya's praise and worship, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, smiling, replied, "So be it," and then departed for His hermitage at Badarikâs'rama.
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TEXTS 8-9
tam eva cintayann artham
rishih svâs'rama eva sah
vasann agny-arka-somâmbu-
bhû-vâyu-viyad-âtmasu
dhyâyan sarvatra ca harim
bhâva-dravyair apûjayat
kvacit pûjâm visasmâra
prema-prasara-samplutah
tam-that; eva-indeed; cintayan-thinking of; artham-the goal; rishih-the sage Mârkandeya; sva-âs'rame-at his own hermitage; eva-indeed; sah-he; vasan-remaining; agni-in the fire; arka-the sun; soma-the moon; ambu-the water; bhû-the earth; vâyu-the wind; viyat-the lightning; âtmasu-and in his own heart;
dhyâyan-meditating; sarvatra-in all circumstances; ca-and; harim-upon Lord Hari; bhâva-dravyaih-with paraphernalia conceived in his mind; apûjayat-he offered worship; kvacit-sometimes; pûjâm-the worship; visasmâra-he forgot; prema-of pure love of God; prasara-in the flood; samplutah-being drowned.
TRANSLATION
Thinking always of his desire to see the Lord's illusory energy, the sage remained in his âs'rama, meditating constantly upon the Lord within fire, the sun, the moon, water, the earth, air, lightning and his own heart and worshiping Him with paraphernalia conceived in his mind. But sometimes, overwhelmed by waves of love for the Lord, Mârkandeya would forget to perform his regular worship.
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TEXT 10
tasyaikadâ bhrigu-s'reshthha
pushpabhadrâ-tathe muneh
upâsînasya sandhyâyâm
brahman vâyur abhûn mahân
tasya-while he; ekadâ-one day; bhrigu-s'reshthha-O best of the descendants of Bhrigu; pushpabhadrâ-tathe-on the bank of the river Pushpabhadrâ; muneh-the sage; upâsînasya-was performing worship; sandhyâyâm-at the juncture of the day; brahman-O brâhmana; vâyuh-a wind; abhût-arose; mahân-great.
TRANSLATION
O brâhmana S'aunaka, best of the Bhrigus, one day while Mârkandeya was performing his evening worship on the bank of the Pushpabhadrâ, a great wind suddenly arose.
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TEXT 11
tam canda-s'abdam samudîrayantam
balâhakâ anv abhavan karâlâh
aksha-sthavishthhâ mumucus tadidbhih
svananta uccair abhi varsha-dhârâh
tam-that wind; canda-s'abdam-a terrible sound; samudîrayantam-which was creating; balâhakâh-clouds; anu-following it; abhavan-appeared; karâlâh-fearful; aksha-like wagon wheels; sthavishthhâh-solid; mumucuh-they released; tadidbhih-along with lightning; svanantah-resounding; uccaih-greatly; abhi-in all directions; varsha-of rain; dhârâh-torrents.
TRANSLATION
That wind created a terrible sound and brought in its wake fearsome clouds that were accompanied by lightning and roaring thunder and that poured down on all sides torrents of rain as heavy as wagon wheels.
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TEXT 12
tato vyadris'yanta catuh samudrâh
samantatah kshmâ-talam âgrasantah
samîra-vegormibhir ugra-nakra-
mahâ-bhayâvarta-gabhîra-ghoshâh
tatah-then; vyadris'yanta-appeared; catuh samudrah-the four oceans; samantatah-on all sides; kshmâ-talam-the surface of the earth; âgrasantah-swallowing up; samîra-of the wind; vega-impelled by the force; ûrmibhih-with their waves; ugra-terrible; nakra-with sea monsters; mahâ-bhaya-very fearful; âvarta-with whirlpools; gabhîra-grave; ghoshâh-with sounds.
TRANSLATION
Then the four great oceans appeared on all sides, swallowing up the surface of the earth with their wind-tossed waves. In these oceans were terrible sea monsters, fearful whirlpools and ominous rumblings.
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TEXT 13
antar bahis' câdbhir ati-dyubhih kharaih
s'atahradâbhir upatâpitam jagat
catur-vidham vîkshya sahâtmanâ munir
jalâplutâm kshmâm vimanâh samatrasat
antah-internally; bahih-externally; ca-and; adbhih-by the water; ati-dyubhih-rising higher than the sky; kharaih-by the fierce (winds); s'ata-hradâbhih-by lightning bolts; upatâpitam-greatly distressed; jagat-all the inhabitants of the universe; catuh-vidham-of four varieties (those who have taken birth from embryos, from eggs, from seeds and from perspiration); vîkshya-seeing; saha-along with; âtmanâ-himself; munih-the sage; jala-by the water; âplutâm-flooded; kshmâm-the earth; vimanâh-perplexed; samatrasat-he became fearful.
TRANSLATION
The sage saw all the inhabitants of the universe, including himself, tormented within and without by the harsh winds, the bolts of lightning, and the great waves rising beyond the sky. As the whole earth flooded, he grew perplexed and fearful.
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TEXT 14
tasyaivam udvîkshata ûrmi-bhîshanah
prabhañjanâghûrnita-vâr mahârnavah
âpûryamâno varashadbhir ambudaih
kshmâm apyadhâd dvîpa-varshâdribhih samam
tasya-while he; evam-in this way; udvîkshatah-was looking on; ûrmi-with its waves; bhîshanah-frightening; prabhañjana-by hurricane winds; âghûrnita-swirled around; vâh-its water; mahâ-arnavah-the great ocean; âpûryamânah-becoming filled; varashadbhih-with rain; ambu-daih-by the clouds; kshmâm-the earth; apyadhât-covered over; dvîpa-with its islands; varsha-continents; adribhih-and mountains; samam-together.
TRANSLATION
Even as Mârkandeya looked on, the rain pouring down from the clouds filled the ocean more and more until that great sea, its waters violently whipped into terrifying waves by hurricanes, covered up all the earth's islands, mountains and continents.
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TEXT 15
sa-kshmântariksham sa-divam sa-bhâ-ganam
trai-lokyam âsît saha digbhir âplutam
sa eka evorvarito mahâ-munir
babhrâma vikshipya jathâ jadândha-vat
sa-along with; kshmâ-the earth; antariksham-and outer space; sa-divam-along with the heavenly planets; sa-bhâ-ganam-along with all the celestial bodies; trai-lokyam-the three worlds; âsît-became; saha-along with; digbhih-all the directions; âplutam-flooded; sah-he; ekah-alone; eva-indeed; urvaritah-remaining; mahâ-munih-the great sage; babhrâma-wandered about; vikshipya-scattering; jathâh-his matted locks; jada-a dumb person; andha-a blind person; vat-like.
TRANSLATION
The water inundated the earth, outer space, heaven and the celestial region. Indeed, the entire expanse of the universe was flooded in all directions, and out of all its inhabitants only Mârkandeya remained. His matted hair scattered, the great sage wandered about alone in the water as if dumb and blind.
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TEXT 16
kshut-trith-parîto makarais timingilair
upadruto vîci-nabhasvatâhatah
tamasy apâre patito bhraman dis'o
na veda kham gâm ca paris'rameshitah
kshut-by hunger; trith-and thirst; parîtah-enveloped; makaraih-by the makaras, a species of monster crocodile; timingilaih-and by the timingila, a variety of huge fish that eats whales; upadrutah-harassed; vîci-by the waves; nabhasvatâ-and the wind; âhatah-tormented; tamasi-in the darkness; apâre-which was unlimited; patitah-having fallen; bhraman-wandering; dis'ah-the directions; na veda-did not recognize; kham-the sky; gâm-the earth; ca-and; paris'rama-ishitah-overcome by exhaustion.
TRANSLATION
Tormented by hunger and thirst, attacked by monstrous makaras and timingila fish and battered by the wind and waves, he moved aimlessly through the infinite darkness into which he had fallen. As he grew increasingly exhausted, he lost all sense of direction and could not tell the sky from the earth.
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TEXTS 17-18
kracin magno mahâvarte
taralais tâditah kvacit
yâdobhir bhakshyate kvâpi
svayam anyonya-ghâtibhih
kvacic chokam kvacin moham
kvacid duhkham sukham bhayam
kvacin mrityum avâpnoti
vyâdhy-âdibhir utârditah
kvacit-sometimes; magnah-drowning; mahâ-âvarte-in a great whirlpool; taralaih-by the waves; tâditah-beaten; kvacit-sometimes; yâdobhih-by the aquatic monsters; bhakshyate-he was threatened with being eaten; kva api-sometimes; svayam-himself; anyonya-each other; ghâtibhih-attacking;
kvacit-sometimes; s'okam-depression; kvacit-sometimes; moham-bewilderment; kvacit-sometimes; duhkham-misery; sukham-happiness; bhayam-fear; kvacit-sometimes; mrityum-death; avâpnoti-he experienced; vyâdhi-by disease; âdibhih-and other pains; uta-also; arditah-distressed.
TRANSLATION
At times he was engulfed by the great whirlpools, sometimes he was beaten by the mighty waves, and at other times the aquatic monsters threatened to devour him as they attacked one another. Sometimes he felt lamentation, bewilderment, misery, happiness or fear, and at other times he experienced such terrible illness and pain that he felt himself dying.
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TEXT 19
ayutâyata-varshânâm
sahasrâni s'atâni ca
vyatîyur bhramatas tasmin
vishnu-mâyâvritâtmanah
ayuta-tens of thousands; ayuta-by tens of thousands; varshânâm-of years; sahasrâni-thousands; s'atâni-hundreds; ca-and; vyatîyuh-passed by; bhramatah-as he wandered; tasmin-in that; vishnu-mâyâ-by the illusory energy of Lord Vishnu; âvrita-covered; âtmanah-his mind.
TRANSLATION
Countless millions of years passed as Mârkandeya wandered about in that deluge, his mind bewildered by the illusory energy of Lord Vishnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
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TEXT 20
sa kadâcid bhramams tasmin
prithivyâh kakudi dvijah
nyâgrodha-potam dadris'e
phala-pallava-s'obhitam
sah-he; kadâcit-on one occasion; bhraman-while wandering; tasmin-in that water; prithivyâh-of earth; kakudi-upon a raised place; dvijah-the brâhmana; nyâgrodha-potam-a young banyan tree; dadris'e-saw; phala-with fruits; pallava-and blossoms; s'obhitam-decorated.
TRANSLATION
Once, while wandering in the water, the brâhmana Mârkandeya discovered a small island, upon which stood a young banyan tree bearing blossoms and fruits.
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TEXT 21
prâg-uttarasyâm s'âkhâyâm
tasyâpi dadris'e s'is'um
s'ayânam parna-puthake
grasantam prabhayâ tamah
prâk-uttarasyâm-toward the northeast; s'âkhâyâm-upon a branch; tasya-of that tree; api-indeed; dadris'e-he saw; s'is'um-an infant boy; s'ayânam-lying; parna-puthake-within the concavity of a leaf; grasantam-swallowing; prabhayâ-with His effulgence; tamah-the darkness.
TRANSLATION
Upon a branch of the northeast portion of that tree he saw an infant boy lying within a leaf. The child's effulgence was swallowing up the darkness.
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22-25
mahâ-marakata-s'yâmam
s'rîmad-vadana-pankajam
kambu-grîvam mahoraskam
su-nasam sundara-bhruvam
s'vâsaijad-alakâbhâtam
kambu-s'rî-karna-dâdimam
vidrumâdhara-bhâseshac-
chonâyita-sudhâ-smitam
padma-garbhârunâpângam
hridya-hâsâvalokanam
s'vâsaijad-vali-samvigna-
nimna-nâbhi-dalodaram
cârv-angulibhyâm pânibhyâm
unnîya caranâmbujam
mukhe nidhâya viprendro
dhayantam vîkshya vismitah
mahâ-marakata-like a great emerald; s'yâmam-dark blue; s'rîmat-beautiful; vadana-pankajam-whose lotus face; kambu-like a conchshell; grîvam-whose throat; mahâ-broad; uraskam-whose chest; su-nasam-having a beautiful nose; sundara-bhruvam-having beautiful eyebrows;
s'vâsa-by His breath; ejat-trembling; alaka-with the hair; âbhâtam-splendid; kambu-like a conchshell; s'rî-beautiful; karna-His ears; dâdimam-resembling pomegranate flowers; vidruma-like coral; adhara-of His lips; bhâsâ-by the effulgence; îshat-slightly; s'onâyita-reddened; sudhâ-nectarean; smitam-His smile;
padma-garbha-like the whorl of a lotus; aruna-reddish; apângam-the corners of His eyes; hridya-charming; hâsa-with a smile; avalokanam-His countenance; s'vâsa-by His breath; ejat-made to move; vali-by the lines; samvigna-contorted; nimna-deep; nâbhi-with His navel; dala-like a leaf; udaram-whose abdomen;
câru-attractive; angulibhyâm-having fingers; pânibhyâm-by His two hands; unnîya-picking up; carana-ambujam-His lotus foot; mukhe-in His mouth; nidhâya-placing; vipra-indrah-the best of brâhmanas, Mârkandeya; dhayantam-drinking; vîkshya-seeing; vismitah-was amazed.
TRANSLATION
The infant's dark-blue complexion was the color of a flawless emerald, His lotus face shone with a wealth of beauty, and His throat bore marks like the lines on a conchshell. He had a broad chest, a finely shaped nose, beautiful eyebrows, and lovely ears that resembled pomegranate flowers and that had inner folds like a conchshell's spirals. The corners of His eyes were reddish like the whorl of a lotus, and the effulgence of His coral-like lips slightly reddened the nectarean, enchanting smile on His face. As He breathed, His splendid hair trembled and His deep navel became distorted by the moving folds of skin on His abdomen, which resembled a banyan leaf. The exalted brâhmana watched with amazement as the infant took hold of one of His lotus feet with His graceful fingers, placed a toe within His mouth and began to suck.
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TEXT 26
tad-dars'anâd vîta-paris'ramo mudâ
protphulla-hrit-paulma-vilocanâmbujah
prahrishtha-româdbhuta-bhâva-s'ankitah
prashthum puras tam prasasâra bâlakam
tat-dars'anât-by seeing the child; vîta-dispelled; paris'ramah-his weariness; mudâ-out of pleasure; protphulla-expanded wide; hrit-padma-the lotus of his heart; vilocana-ambujah-and his lotus eyes; prahrishtha-standing on end; româ-the hairs on his body; adbhuta-bhâva-about the identity of this wonderful form; s'ankitah-confused; prashthum-in order to inquire; purah-in front; tam-of Him; prasasâra-he approached; bâlakam-the child.
TRANSLATION
As Mârkandeya beheld the child, all his weariness vanished. Indeed, so great was his pleasure that the lotus of his heart, along with his lotus eyes, fully blossomed and the hairs on his body stood on end. Confused as to the identity of the wonderful infant, the sage approached Him.
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TEXT 27
tâvac chis'or vai s'vasitena bhârgavah
so 'ntah s'arîram mas'ako yathâvis'at
tatrâpy ado nyastam acashtha kritsnas'o
yathâ purâmuhyad atîva vismitah
tâvat-at that very moment; s'is'oh-of the infant; vai-indeed; s'vasitena-with the breathing; bhârgavah-the descendant of Bhrigu; sah-he; antah s'arîram-within the body; mas'akah-a mosquito; yathâ-just like; avis'at-entered; tatra-therein; api-indeed; adah-this universe; nyastam-placed; acashtha-he saw; kritsnas'ah-entire; yathâ-as; purâ-previously; amuhyat-he became bewildered; atîva-extremely; vismitah-surprised.
TRANSLATION
Just then the child inhaled, drawing Mârkandeya within His body like a mosquito. There the sage found the entire universe arrayed as it had been before its dissolution. Seeing this, Mârkandeya was most astonished and perplexed.
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TEXTS 28 - 29
kham rodasî bhâ-ganân adri-sâgarân
dvîpân sa-varshân kakubhah surâsurân
vanâni des'ân saritah purâkarân
khethân vrajân âs'rama-varna-vrittayah
mahânti bhûtâny atha bhautikâny asau
kâlam ca nânâ-yuga-kalpa-kalpanam
yat kiñcid anyad vyavahâra-kâranam
dadars'a vis'vam sad ivâvabhâsitam
kham-the sky; rodasî-the heavens and earth; bhâ-ganân-all the stars; adri-the mountains; sâgarân-and oceans; dvîpân-the great islands; sa-varshân-along with the continents; kakubhah-the directions; sura-asurân-the saintly devotees and the demons; vanâni-the forests; des'ân-the various countries; saritah-the rivers; pura-the cities; âkarân-and the mines; khethân-the agricultural villages; vrajân-the cow pastures; âs'rama-varna-of the various spiritual and occupational divisions of society; vrittayah-the engagements;
mahânti bhûtâni-the basic elements of nature; atha-and; bhautikâni-all their gross manifestations; asau-he; kâlam-time; ca-also; nânâ-yuga-kalpa-of the different millennia and the days of Brahmâ; kalpanam-the regulating agent; yat kiñcit-whatever; anyat-other; vyavahâra-kâranam-object intended for use in material life; dadars'a-he saw; vis'vam-the universe; sat-real; iva-as if; avabhâsitam-manifest.
TRANSLATION
The sage saw the entire universe: the sky, heavens and earth, the stars, mountains, oceans, great islands and continents, the expanses in every direction, the saintly and demoniac living beings, the forests, countries, rivers, cities and mines, the agricultural villages and cow pastures, and the occupational and spiritual activities of the various social divisions. He also saw the basic elements of creation along with all their by-products, as well as time itself, which regulates the progression of countless ages within the days of Brahmâ. In addition, he saw everything else created for use in material life. All this he saw manifested before him as if it were real.
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TEXT 30
himâlayam pushpavahâm ca tâm nadîm
nijâs'ramam yatra rishî apas'yata
vis'vam vipas'yan' chvasitâc chis'or vai
bahir nirasto nyapatal layâbdhau
himâlayam-the Himâlaya Mountains; pushpa-vahâm-Pushpabhadrâ; ca-and; tâm-that; nadîm-river; nija-âs'ramam-his own hermitage; yatra-where; rishî-the two sages, Nara-Nârâyana; apas'yata-he saw; vis'vam-the universe; vipas'yan-while observing; s'vasitât-by the breath; s'is'oh-of the infant; vai-indeed; bahih-outside; nirastah-expelled; nyapatat-he fell; laya-abdhau-into the ocean of dissolution.
TRANSLATION
He saw before him the Himâlaya Mountains, the Pushpabhadrâ River, and his own hermitage, where he had had the audience of the sages Nara-Nârâyana. Then, as Mârkandeya beheld the entire universe, the infant exhaled, expelling the sage from His body and casting him back into the ocean of dissolution.
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TEXTS 31 - 32
tasmin prithivyâh kakudi prarûdham
vatham ca tat-parna-puthe s'ayânam
tokam ca tat-prema-sudhâ-smitena
nirîkshito 'pânga-nirîkshanena
atha tam bâlakam vîkshya
netrâbhyâm dhishthhitam hridi
abhyayâd ati-sanklishthah
parishvaktum adhokshajam
tasmin-in that water; prithivyâh-of land; kakudi-on the raised place; prarûdham-growing up; vatham-the banyan tree; ca-and; tat-of it; parna-puthe-within the slight depression of the leaf; s'ayânam-lying; tokam-the child; ca-and; tat-for himself; prema-of love; sudhâ-like nectar; smitena-with a smile; nirîkshitah-being looked upon; apânga-of the corner of His eyes; nirîkshanena-by the glance;
atha-then; tam-that; bâlakam-infant; vîkshya-looking upon; netrâbhyâm-by his eyes; dhishthhitam-placed; hridi-within his heart; abhyayât-ran forward; ati-sanklishthah-greatly agitated; parishvaktum-to embrace; adhokshajam-the transcendental Supreme Lord.
TRANSLATION
In that vast sea he again saw the banyan tree growing on the tiny island and the infant boy lying within the leaf. The child glanced at him from the corner of His eyes with a smile imbued with the nectar of love, and Mârkandeya took Him into his heart through his eyes. Greatly agitated, the sage ran to embrace the transcendental Personality of Godhead.
*****
TEXT 33
tâvat sa bhagavân sâkshâd
yogâdhîs'o guhâ-s'ayah
antardadha risheh sadyo
yathehânîs'a-nirmitâ
tâvat-just then; sah-He; bhagavân-the Personality of Godhead; sâkshât-directly; yoga-adhîs'ah-the supreme master of yoga; guhâ-s'ayah-who is hidden within the heart of all living beings; antardadhe-disappeared; risheh-in front of the sage; sadyah-suddenly; yathâ-in the same way as; îhâ-the object of endeavor; anîs'a-by an incompetent person; nirmitâ-created.
TRANSLATION
At that moment the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the original master of all mysticism and who is hidden within everyone's heart, became invisible to the sage, just as the achievements of an incompetent person can suddenly vanish.
*****
TEXT 34
tam anv atha vatho brahman
salilam loka-samplavah
tirodhâyi kshanâd asya
svâs'rame pûrva-vat sthitah
tam-Him; anu-following; atha-then; vathah-the banyan tree; brahman-O brâhmana, S'aunaka; salilam-the water; loka-samplavah-the annihilation of the universe; tirodhâyi-they disappeared; kshanât-immediately; asya-in front of him; sva-âs'rame-in his own hermitage; pûrva-vat-as previously; sthitah-he was present.
TRANSLATION
After the Lord disappeared, O brâhmana, the banyan tree, the great water and the dissolution of the universe all vanished as well, and in an instant Mârkandeya found himself back in his own hermitage, just as before.
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