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Art. X.—Translation of Books 81–93 of the Mârkaṇḍeya Purâṇa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2011

B. Hale Wortham
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Extract

The Mahâtmya Devî is an episode of thirteen chapters (81–93) occurring in the Mârkaṇḍeya Purâṇa, and, as the title suggests, is occupied with an account of the Great power of Devî, or Durgâ, the wife of Śiva. The story is introduced by a Râjâ, named Suratha, and a Vaisya, named Samâdhi. The Râjâ has been overcome by enemies, and finally driven from his kingdom by his ministers, who have taken possession of his treasures. The Vaisya's own family have risen against him and sent him adrift, after seizing on his riches. Both of these two unfortunate persons retire into solitude to meditate on their troubles, and in the course of their wanderings in a certain forest, they meet and become acquainted. They mutually relate their difficulties, and in comparing notes, find with astonishment that they are both possessed by the same feeling—attachment or affection for those who have ill-treated them. The Râjâ, is full of anxiety for the welfare of the ministers and people who have risen against him; the Vaisya still retains his affection for his unworthy wives and children. They ask each other—What means this ? How is it that we still feel affection for worthless people, even though they be relations ? Unable to discover any solution of this difficulty, they agree to consult the Sage, whose dwelling was not far distant.

Type
Original Communications
Information
Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society , Volume 17 , Issue 2 , April 1885 , pp. 221 - 274
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Asiatic Society 1885

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References

page 224 note 1 Called also Saptaśati, because it consists of 700 slokas, or Chandipatha, the recitation of Chanda's acts.

page 224 note 2 Or possessor of great shares (Mahâbhâga). 20 shares of the produce of the Earth were to be dedicated to god and priests; 6 to the king; 4 enjoyed by the cultivator (Translation of M. D. by Rámassvami). Cf. Marcaṇḍeya Pûr., Book viii. s1. 105.

page 227 note 1 pratyupakârâya ‘mutual convenience or self-interest.’

page 227 note 2 Mahâmâyâ is the great illusive power of God which projects the universe out of itself.

page 229 note 1 Svahâ, a term used in the act of oblation.

page 229 note 2 Svadhâ, a word used in the śraddhas for the Manes of Ancestors.

page 229 note 3 Vashat-kâra, a formula of prayer from the Vedas used at sacrifices.

page 230 note 1 Avyakta: name of Vishṇu.

page 234 note 1 Sl. 40–46. These ślokas hare been somewhat condensed and abbreviated, since they consist merely of repetitions.

page 240 note 1 lit. “having beautiful-bodies on which the hair stood on end with delight.”

page 240 note 2 This may be explained by referring to the Sâṅkhya philosophy: Primeval nature (prâkṛiti) when undeveloped — in its original state before creation — consists of the three guṇas in a state of equilibrium. Directly one of the three becomes pre-eminent, something is created—gods if sattva, men if rajas, beasts or inanimate things if tamas. All faults come from the second and thịrd guṇas, those of rajas and tamas, but there are no faults which can be detected in Durgâ, even though she is Prâkṛiti, and therefore iṅ her the equilibrium of the three guṇas is perfectly maintained.

page 254 note 1 Koṭi-vîryâni possessed of crores (10,000,000) of various powers.

page 254 note 2 S'akti, the personified power of a deity. Cf. Acts viii. 10.

page 269 note 1 Utpâta is threefold, as being divya, ântarîksha, or bhauma (Prof. Cowell). Ramâssvami, in the notes to his trans., says that utpâta is threefold, as removing the triple plague of âdhi, vyâdhi, and atibbangika.

page 270 note 1 The S'astras direct: “For the overcoming of hindrances men should read the Chandi three times, for propitiating the evil influences of planets five times, for obtaining safety from danger seven times, for attaining the merits of a Vajayeya sacrifice nine times.”