स च वैश्यस्तपस्तेपे

Every Sanskrit word explained in English

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Word-by-Word Breakdown

मार्कण्डेय उवाच

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca

Markandeya said

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā

having heard these words of his (the sage's)

सुरथः स नराधिपः

surathaḥ sa narādhipaḥ

Suratha, that ruler of men

प्रणिपत्य महाभागं तम् ऋषिं संशितव्रतम्

praṇipatya mahābhāgaṃ tam ṛṣiṃ saṃśitavratam

bowing to the highly blessed sage of firm vows

निर्विण्णः अतिममत्वेन राज्यापहरणेन च

nirviṇṇaḥ atimamatvena rājyāpaharaṇena ca

dejected by excessive attachment and by the seizure of his kingdom

जगाम सद्यः तपसे

jagāma sadyaḥ tapase

went at once to perform austerity

स च वैश्यो महामुने

sa ca vaiśyo mahāmune

and that merchant too, O great sage

सन्दर्शनार्थम् अम्बाया नदीपुलिनम् आस्थितः

sandarśanārtham ambāyā nadīpulinam āsthitaḥ

took his stand on a river's sandbank to obtain a vision of Amba (the Mother)

स च वैश्यः तपः तेपे देवीसूक्तं परं जपन्

sa ca vaiśyaḥ tapaḥ tepe devīsūktaṃ paraṃ japan

and the merchant performed austerity, reciting the supreme Devi-sukta (hymn)

तौ तस्मिन् पुलिने देव्याः कृत्वा मूर्तिं महीमयीम्

tau tasmin puline devyāḥ kṛtvā mūrtiṃ mahīmayīm

the two, having made on that sandbank an earthen image of the Devi

अर्हणां चक्रतुः तस्याः पुष्पधूपाग्नितर्पणैः

arhaṇāṃ cakratuḥ tasyāḥ puṣpadhūpāgnitarpaṇaiḥ

offered worship to her with flowers, incense, fire-offering and libations

निराहारौ यतात्मानौ तन्मनस्कौ समाहितौ

nirāhārau yatātmānau tanmanaskau samāhitau

abstaining from food, self-restrained, their minds fixed on her, concentrated

ददतुः तौ बलिं च एव

dadatuḥ tau baliṃ ca eva

the two also offered bali (sacrificial offering)

निजगात्रासृगुक्षितम्

nijagātrāsṛgukṣitam

sprinkled with blood from their own bodies

एवं समाराधयतोः त्रिभिः वर्षैः यतात्मनोः

evaṃ samārādhayatoḥ tribhiḥ varṣaiḥ yatātmanoḥ

thus, as the two self-restrained ones worshipped her for three years

Complete Translation

मार्कण्डेय बोले — मुनि के ये वचन सुनकर वह नरेश सुरथ, दृढ़व्रती उन महाभाग ऋषि को प्रणाम करके — अत्यधिक ममता और राज्य के अपहरण से विरक्त होकर — तुरन्त तपस्या के लिए चल पड़े; और हे महामुने! वह वैश्य भी अम्बा के दर्शन के लिए नदी के तट पर जा बैठा। और वह वैश्य परम देवी-सूक्त का जप करते हुए तपस्या करने लगा। उन दोनों ने उस तट पर देवी की मिट्टी की मूर्ति बनाकर, पुष्प, धूप, अग्नि (हवन) और तर्पण से उनकी पूजा की; निराहार रहकर, संयमी होकर, उन्हीं में मन लगाए, एकाग्रचित्त होकर, उन दोनों ने अपने ही शरीर के रक्त से सिंचित बलि भी अर्पित की — इस प्रकार उन संयमी जनों ने तीन वर्षों तक उनकी आराधना की।

Origin & History

Source: Durga Saptashati Chapter 13

Author: Maharshi Markandeya (traditionally ascribed)

Period: Puranic period (c. 5th–6th century CE for the Devi Mahatmya)

The Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati or Chandi), part of the Markandeya Purana, is framed by the tale of King Suratha, robbed of his kingdom, and the merchant Samadhi, cast out by his family, who come to the sage Medhas to understand why their hearts still cling to those who wronged them. Having heard the whole glory of the Goddess, in this closing chapter they go to a riverbank to worship her. Dispassionate at last, they fashion an earthen image of the Devi and worship her for three years with flowers, incense, fire-offerings, the recitation of the Devi-sukta and rigorous self-restraint — even offering bali sprinkled with their own blood — until the Goddess, well pleased, appears before them to grant their desires.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this passage about?▼

These are verses 5–10 of Chapter 13 — the final chapter of the Devi Mahatmya (Durga Saptashati). They describe how King Suratha and the merchant Samadhi went to a riverbank, fashioned an earthen image of the Goddess, and worshipped her for three years with deep devotion.

Who are Suratha and Samadhi?▼

Suratha is a king robbed of his realm by treacherous ministers, and Samadhi is a merchant cast out by his greedy family. They are the listeners of the entire Devi Mahatmya, told to them by the sage Medhas, and in this chapter they finally turn to worship the Goddess themselves.

What is the lesson of their worship?▼

Their story teaches that wholehearted, concentrated devotion — with dispassion toward worldly attachments and steady worship of the Mother — wins her direct grace. Pleased by their three years of austerity, the Goddess appears before them in person and grants their boons.

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