अपारपाराय परानुकर्त्रे नमः परेभ्यः परपारणाय
Homage to the One beyond both ends, the supreme imitator, to the highest among the supreme, the ultimate deliverer.
बहुस्वरुपो ऽपि निरञ्जनो यस्तमीशमीढ्यं परमं भजामि
Though possessing many forms, he is untouched; I worship that supreme Lord, worthy of praise.
अनूपमं भक्ति जनानुकम्पिनं भजामि सर्वेश्वरमादिमीड्यम्
I worship the incomparable, the source of devotion, the compassionate to his devotees, the Lord of all, the original object of praise.
निवृत्तमोहाः परमं पवित्रं नतो ऽस्मि संसारनिर्वर्त्तकं तम्
Freed from delusion, I bow to that supremely pure one, the remover of worldly existence.
जगत्सेव्यं जगाद्धाम परेशं करुणाकरम्
The one served by the world, the abode of the universe, the supreme Lord, the ocean of compassion.
अवाप परमां तुष्टिं शङ्खचक्रगदाधरः
The bearer of conch, discus, and mace attained supreme satisfaction.
उवाच परमं प्रीत्या वरं बरय सुव्रत
He spoke with utmost affection: 'Choose a boon, O steadfast one.'
मनसा यदभिप्रेतं वरं वरय सुव्रत
'Choose the boon that your mind desires, O steadfast one.'
त्वद्दर्शनमपुण्यानां दुर्लभं च यतः स्मृतम्
'Because the vision of you is rare even for the unworthy, it is remembered.'
धर्मिष्टा दीक्षिताश्वापि वीतरागा विमत्सराः
'Even those who are righteous, initiated, free from passion and envy—'
एतेनैव कृतार्थो ऽस्मि जनार्दन जगद्धरो
'By this alone I am fulfilled, O Janārdana, bearer of the world.'
तत्पदे परमं यान्नि ते दृष्ट्वा किषुनाच्युत
'To that supreme state, O Acyuta, which is attained by seeing you—'
मदृर्शनं हि विफलं न कदाचिद्भविष्यति
'My vision will never be fruitless at any time.'
तदेव पालयिष्यामि मज्जनो नानृतं वदेत्
'That indeed I shall uphold; my people do not speak falsehood.'
समस्तगुणसंयुक्तो दीर्घजीवी स्वरुपवान्
Endowed with all virtues, long-lived, and possessing his true form.
मयि तुष्टे मुनिश्रेष्ठ किमसाध्यं जगत्रये
O best of sages, when I am pleased, what is impossible in the three worlds?
अन्तर्दधे मृकण्डुश्च तपसः समवर्तत
Mṛkaṇḍu disappeared, and withdrew from his austerities.
किं चकार च तद्ब्रुहि हरिर्भार्गववंशजः
Tell me, what did Hari, the descendant of Bhṛgu, do then?
अपश्यद्वैष्णवीं मायां चिरञ्जीव्यस्य संप्लवे
He beheld the Vaiṣṇava illusion at the flood of the long-lived one.
विष्णुभक्तिसमायुक्तां मार्कुण्डेयमुनिं प्रति
Endowed with devotion to Viṣṇu, directed toward the sage Mārkaṇḍeya.
गार्हस्थ्यमकरोद्धृष्टः शान्तो दान्तः कृतार्थकः
He entered household life, resolute, peaceful, self-controlled, and fulfilled.
मनसा वचसा चापि देहेन च पतिव्रता
With mind, speech, and body, she was devoted to her husband.
रुषुवे दशमासान्ते पुत्रं तेजस्विनां परम्
At the end of ten months, she gave birth to a son of supreme brilliance.
जातकं कारयामास मङ्गलं विधिपूर्वकम्
They performed the birth rites, auspicious and according to prescribed rules.
ततस्तु पञ्चमे वर्षे उपनीय मुदान्वितः
Then, in the fifth year, he was initiated, filled with joy.
नमस्कार्या द्विजाः पुत्र सदादृष्टा विधानतः
O son, the twice-born must always be respectfully greeted, as prescribed.
वैदिकं कर्म तर्तव्यं वेदाध्ययनपूर्वकम्
Vedic duties must be performed, preceded by study of the Vedas.
निषिद्धं वर्जनीयं स्यादृष्टसंभाषणादिकम्
What is forbidden must be avoided, such as improper speech and the like.
न द्वेषः कस्यचित्कार्यः सर्वेषां हितमाचरेत्
One must not bear hatred toward anyone; one should act for the good of all.
एवं पित्रा समादिष्टो मार्कण्डेयो मुनीश्वरः
Thus instructed by his father was the great sage Mārkaṇḍeya.