14 Identified as the region between Vitasta (Beas) and Chandrabhaga (Chenab).
15 Identified with Uttarakhand and the southern parts of Himachal Pradesh.
16 Vishoka is Bhima’s charioteer. Indrasena is Yudhishthira’s charioteer.
17 The river Yamuna originates in the Yamunotri glacier, on the slopes of the Banderpooch peaks. Mount Yamuna probably means this place.
18 Vishakha is the sixteenth star (nakshatra) and there is clearly an astronomical allusion here.
19 The name of Kubera’s pleasure garden.
20 The serpent.
21 Fig trees.
22 Also known as bibhitakas, Terminalia belerica.
23 The herb Tecomella undulate.
24 Acorns.
25 Tree with jujube berries.
26 Acacia.
27 Another variety of acacia or mimosa.
28Aegle marmelos, tree sacred to Shiva.
29Balanites roxburghii.
30Salvadora oleoides.
31 Large tree, Prosopis spicigera.
32 Thorny plant eaten by camels, Capparis aphylla.
33 Kubera was Vishrava’s son and Pulastya’s grandson.
34 Herons.
35 Pheasants.
36 A shrike or a thrush.
37 Ducks.
38 Species of pine. Devadaru literally means tree of the gods.
39 Kaliyaka is the barberry or turmeric tree.
40 Meaning that the tips of the arrows did not have poison in them.
41 Nahusha’s story is left implicit. After killing Vritra, Indra suffered from guilt and went into hiding. The throne of the king of the gods was empty and Nahusha was temporarily appointed Indra. But he insulted the brahmanas by making them carry him. He was then cursed by Agastya that he would become a serpent.
42 Agastya.
43 The other brahmanas who were with Agastya.
44 The south is the direction of Yama, death, ghosts and demons.
45Vartika.
46 Yudhishthira’s.
47 Bhima.
48 This is the lunar dynasty, originating with Soma or Chandra, the moon. Soma’s son was Budha, Budha’s son was Pururava, Pururava’s son was Ayu and Ayu’s son was Nahusha. So Nahusha was fifth in the line.
49 Meaning, the sixth day. The boa eats on every sixth day.
50 Happiness and unhappiness.
51 That is the right to sacrifice is based on conduct, and not on varna.
52 The word Savitri means several things. It is a sacred mantra from the Rig Veda. It is also the ceremony of investiture with the sacred thread. The sense is that at the time of birth, the mother is more important than the father, and is the equivalent of the sacred thread ceremony.
53 Each manvantara (era) is presided over by a sovereign known as Manu. It is because humans are descended from Manu that they are known as manava. There are fourteen manvantaras and fourteen Manus to preside over them. The present manvantara is the seventh and the Manu who presides over this is known as Vaivasvata, because he was born from the sun (Vivasvat). Svayambhuva Manu is the first, thus known because he created himself.
54 The six Vedangas are shiksha (articulation and pronunciation), chhanda (prosody), vyakarana (grammar), nirukta (etymology), jyotisha (astronomy) and kalpa (rituals).
55 The word used is tata, applied affectionately to anyone younger or junior.
56 The soul.
57 Yudhishthira.
58 Agastya, in the form of destiny.
59 The word used is vyala, which means both predator and serpent.
1 Stokaka is another name for the chataka bird, believed to live on drops of rain.
2Kumuda.
3 Pundarika.
4 The kadamba tree.
5 Parvasandhi is the junction between the fifteenth day of a lunar fortnight and the first day of the next lunar fortnight. Thus, the night of the full moon in Kartika arrived.
6 Droupadi.
7 Krishna’s name. Hari is also Krishna’s name, as is Keshava.
8 The names of Krishna’s horses.
9 Satyabhama is Krishna’s third wife. Maghavan is Indra. Indra’s consort is Shachi. Shachi is Puloma’s daughter, thus known as Poulami. Krishna’s mother is Devaki.
10 Gudakesha and Phalguna are Arjuna’s names. Yudhishthira and Bhima were senior in age to Krishna and thus, warranted homage.
11 Krishna. In general, Dasharha is a term for the Yadavas.
12 Dhoumya.
13 Krishna’s name. Literally, the one with eyes like a lotus.
14 By the illustrious lord, one means Shiva. Guha is Kartikeya’s name and Kartikeya is Shiva’s son. The imagery is of Shiva being united with Kartikeya.
15 Arjuna is the one with the diadem on his head. Because of the diadem on his head, Arjuna is known as Kiriti. Gada is Krishna’s younger brother.
16 Krishna is Madhu’s slayer and one of Krishna’s names is Madhusudana.
17 Arjuna.
18 Droupadi. Droupadi’s name is Krishna. This should really be written as Krishnaa, to avoid confusion with Krishna. But we have written Droupadi as Krishna, to keep it simple. From the context, it should be clear whether Krishna or Droupadi is meant.
19 Yudhishthira.
20 The forest of the Kurus, a term for Kurukshetra.
21 Drupada, Droupadi’s father.
22 Anarta was the kingdom of the Yadavas in the northern parts of Gujarat.
23 The Vrishnis were a line of the Yadavas.
24 They are content with their state.
25 Pradyumna is the son of Krishna and Rukmini. Aniruddha is Pradyumna’s son and Krishna’s grandson. Bhanu is the son of Krishna and Satyabhama. This Sunitha is the son of Krishna and Rukmini.
26 Lines of the Yadavas.
27 Madhu was an ancestor of the Yadavas. So Madhus is another term for the Yadavas.
28 Halayudha is the one with a plough (hala) for his weapon (ayudha) and is Balarama’s name.
29 Duryodhana.
30 Soubha’s lord or king was Shalva and the story of Krishna’s destruction of Soubha and Shalva has been recounted in Section 31 (Volume 2).
31 Of the enemy.
32 Another name for Hastinapura.
33 Descendant of the Vrishni lineage, Krishna.
34 Padya and arghya are offered to a guest. The former is water for washing the feet and the latter is a gift.
35 Yudhishthira.
36 Markandeya was descended from Bhrigu’s lineage and is therefore addressed as Bhargava.
37 Brahma.
38 Metaphorically. One had to go through the cycle of rebirth.
39 The new form.
40 The word used is tata, affectionately used for anyone who is younger or junior.
41 That is, seeing the dead body.
42 Tarkshya is a name for both Garuda, and Garuda’s father too. But here, Tarkshya means the sage who was descended from Kashyapa. Arishtanemi was one of Tarkshya’s names.
43 Tarkshya’s son.
44 Tarkshya.
45 Goutama.
46 Indra.
47 Vainya.
48 Sadasyas.
49 Shakra is Indra, Shukra is the preceptor of the demons and Brihaspati is the preceptor of the gods.
50 Ruler.
51 The word shyama usually means dark, which makes no sense here. Shyama has a secondary meaning of a woman who has not borne children. That meaning seems more appropriate.
52 Bhara is a measure of weight.
53 Here means, on this earth.
54 A shrotriya is a brahmana learned in the sacred texts, specifically the Vedas.
55 Food left over after offerings to gods, ancestors, brahmanas and guests.
56 Goloka, Krishna’s world.
57 Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
58 This is a metaphor for the sacrifice and its offerings.
59 Payasa is a sweet dish made from milk and rice.
60 Yudhishthira.
61 The sun-god.
&nbs
p; 62 Vishala is the name of a jujube tree in Badari or Badarikashrama.
63 A river believed to flow from the Malaya mountains.
64 The word used is tata. While it does mean father, it is affectionately used for anyone who is senior.
65 The place where the boat (nau) was tied (bandhana).
66 Parameshthi means the supreme lord and is an epithet used for Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, and even Agni and Garuda.
67 Brahma.
68 Those born from wombs, those born from eggs, vegetables and plants and those born from sweat (insects).
69 This is a reference to Vishnu, asleep on the lotus.
70 Brahma.
71 Vishnu.
72 The text uses both the words karta and vikarta. It is difficult to distinguish between them. Hence, karta has been translated as creator and vikarta as special creator.
73 The four yugas or eras are krita (or satya), treta, dvapara and kali. Between two eras, there is an intermediary period of conjunction (sandhya).
74 The word used is tata.
75 Mlecchas are barbarians, those who do not speak Sanskrit.
76 Shakas are identified as Scythians and Yavanas as Greeks. Pulindas are uncivilized mountainous tribes. Kambojas lived in the Hindu Kush region. Ournikas are those who earned a living off wool. Abhiras are a tribe.
77 Bho is used when addressing an inferior and arya is used when addressing a superior. The sense is that shudras should be saying ‘arya’ and brahmanas should be saying ‘bho’.
78 Presumably indicative of a lot of fighting.
79 Fraudulently pretending to be hermits.
80 Indra. Indra killed a demon named Paka.
81 One of Brahma’s days.
82 Makara.
83 Vishnu.
84 The flower of flax, Linum usitatissimum. Krishna’s complexion is often likened to this flower.
85 Vishnu bears the srivatsa mark (or curl) on his chest. This is the place where Lakshmi resides.
86 The word used is tata.
87 Markandeya was born in Bhrigu’s lineage.
88 The word used in the text is vrishala. While this means shudra, it also means outcast. Servitude is towards a dvija, or twice-born. While dvija does mean brahmana, it is a term that can be applied to all the three upper varnas.
89 The word used is tata.
90 The word ayana means abode or path.
91 Kubera.
92Dhata and vidhata respectively.
93 Shesha naga holds up the earth.
94 This is a reference to Vishnu’s boar (varaha) incarnation.
95 The vadava (or badava) fire is a submarine fire. It has the shape of a collection of mares.
96 Evil, the negation of dharma.
97 Because only one quarter of dharma remains in kali yuga.
98 This is a reference to Vishnu’s dwarf (vamana) incarnation, when he covered the three worlds with three strides.
99 Brahma.
100 The word used is tata.
101 A term used for Krishna and for the Yadavas.
102 Dharma has four feet (or quarters) in krita yuga, three in dvapara, two in treta and one in kali. Hence the analogy of the bull.
103 In kali yuga.
104 We have deliberately not translated linga, since it can mean different things. It can mean a religious mark, it can mean gender, it can be a mark for Shiva, it can mean the idol of a god, it can mean proof used in evidence. Any of these might be in vain.
105 More accurately, vrishalas.
106Edukas. This is probably a reference to Buddhist stupas, where there were relic chambers.
107 Vrishalas.
108 The headless torso is Rahu. Rahu eclipses the sun. Rahu is headless because Vishnu sliced the head off.
109 Indra.
110 The eighth of the twenty-seven nakshatras, also known as Pushya.
111 Kalki is Vishnu’s tenth incarnation.
112 The new yuga.
113 Brahma.
114 As signs of order having been restored. The black antelope skins are symbolic of brahmanas, while the weapons are symbolic of kshatriyas.
115 Dasyus are outcasts, bandits, evil demons and the enemies of gods and men.
116 Teaching, studying, sacrifices, acting as priests at sacrifices, donating and receiving gifts.
117 Purana is any old account. But specifically, there are sacred texts known as the Puranas. Vayu is the wind-god. While this may be a reference to any old account told by Vayu, it is more likely to be a specific reference to the Vayu Purana, one of those sacred texts.
118 Though not explicit, this may mean that Markandeya, though an immortal, has been through the cycle of death and rebirth several times.
119 The word used is tata.
120 That is, the other Pandavas. Sharnga is the name of Krishna’s bow.
121 The text doesn’t mention this explicitly. But the quotes that follow are clearly in Markandeya’s words.
122 As fodder.
123 A kind of creeper that wraps itself around mango trees. Known as madhavi, kusari or kasturamogara.
124 Vedic chants, the implication being that a brahmana has no need of a mount.
125 Evil spirit, kind of demon,
126 As the subsequent sentences show, this means that Indradyumna no longer knows who he is.
127 This is odd. The text says rasayanika, which cannot be translated as anything other than chemists or alchemists. But this doesn’t make a great deal of sense. Perhaps it should read vasayanika, meaning those who have fixed abodes. Since hermits don’t have fixed abodes and are not vasayanikas, they are unlikely to recognize anyone, since they move around from one place to another.
128 Both Markandeya and the owl.
129 That is, Indradyumna performed one thousand sacrifices.
130 King Nriga inadvertently donated the same cow to two brahmanas. He was cursed and became a lizard that lived in a well. Krishna rescued him from this curse.
131 The word used is tata.
132Mara means to kill. Dhundhumara is the one who slays Dhundhu.
133 Shravasti or Sravasti is in Uttar Pradesh.
134 Madhu and Kaitabha were demons killed by Vishnu.
135 Vishnu’s jewel that emerged from the churning of the ocean.
136 That is, uncovered by the water.
137 Having placed the demons on his thigh.
138 Madhu and Kaitabha.
139 Brahma’s.
140 This story has been told in Section 33.
141 Kumbhakarna was Ravana’s brother, who slept for six months. While this is a story from the Ramayana, it will be briefly retold in Section 42.
142 Parva, the day of the new moon or the full moon.
143 This question is being asked by Yudhishthira.
144 The word used is tata.
145 There is a problem with the Critical edition’s text here. As it stands, the text should be translated as ‘some hold the mother to be equal …’ This doesn’t quite fit. The translation given is in accordance with what non-Critical versions state.
146 The Angas mean the six Vedangas of shiksha (articulation and pronunciation), chhanda (prosody), vyakarana (grammar), nirukta (etymology), jyotisha (astronomy) and kalpa (rituals). The Upanishads are sacred texts known as Vedanta, the last part of the Vedas.
147 Brihaspati had cursed the ocean.
148 Dandaka was born in the Ikshvaku lineage. He coveted Bhargava’s daughter and was cursed by Bhargava that his kingdom would become a wasteland. This is Dandaka Aranya or Dandaka forest.
149 This story has been told in Section 33.
150 Shrutis are sacred texts that have been revealed. They are of divine origin and have no author. The core consists of the Vedas and the Vedanta literature.
151 The king of Mithila.
152 Dharma setu. The word setu also means an institution.
153 The hunter.
154 The word used is tata.
155 The three forms of knowledge are the first
three Vedas, excluding the Atharva Veda. The text uses the expression danda niti, which can loosely be translated as governance.
156 The Dharmashastras are sacred texts that deal with customs, practices, law and ethical conduct. They belong to the smriti tradition, that is, they have specific authors.
157 The words that follow are by the hunter.
158 Karma is action, the fruits of that action and also the consequent destiny.
159 This story has been told in Section 33.
160 Rantideva was a king of the lunar dynasty, known for his generosity.
161 Seasonal festivals after every four months, held in the months of Kartika, Phalguna and Ashada.
162 This story has been told in Section 11 (Volume 1).
163 Kind of rice.
164 The following words are the hunter speaking.
165 That is, is born as inferior species.
166 The three qualities (guna) are sattva, rajas and tamas.
167 The five elements, the five senses and the seven properties.
168 To the list of seventeen, one adds the five organs of action—organ of generation, organ of excretion, hands, feet and tongue. This makes it twenty-two and one adds pride (ego) and the soul.
169 The five organs of sense and the mind.
170 Between contrary sentiments.
171 The text says, one who behaves like an arya.
172 Prana is the breath of life or the life force. Prana draws breath into the body, apana exhales it. Vyana distributes it through the body and samana assimilates it. Udana gives rise to sound.
Mahabharata Vol. 3 (Penguin Translated Texts) Page 66