[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Purāṇas](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana) › [Markandeyapurana](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.markandeya) › 4.48 # Markandeyapurana 4.48 Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa 4.48 - **Language:** Sanskrit ### [4.48](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.markandeya.4.48) dvitīyā pṛthivīṃ mūdrghnā śeṣākhyā dhārayatyadhaḥ / tāmasī sā samākhyātā tiryaktvaṃ samupāśritā // > “The waters were called Nāra by Munis conversant with truth; they were originally his place of movement\[1\]; hence he is called Nārāyaṇa. The adorable god, the lord Nārāyaṇa, pervading all things, lives, O brahman, in a quadruple form: he is possessed as well as devoid of attributes. His first form is inscrutable; the wise behold it bright; it is covered with garlands of flame; it is the acme of perfection to devotees; it is both far and it is near; it is to be understood as transcending attributes; when called Vāsudeva, it is seen devoid of egoism; its shape, colour, etc., are not real but imaginary; it is indeed always pure; it is the sole form of pre-eminence. His second form, called Śeṣa, supports the earth below with its head; it is described as being characterized by the quality of darkness; it belongs to the brute creation. His third form is active, and devoted to the preservation of creatures; it is to be considered as consisting chiefly of the quality of goodness; it is the fashioner of virtue. His fourth form abides in water; it lies on a serpent as its bed; its attribute is passion; and it is always indeed active. > — Frederick Eden Pargiter 1888, The Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa - [Previous: 4.47](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.markandeya.4.47) - [Next: 4.49](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.markandeya.4.49) - [Up: 4](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.markandeya.4) ## Translations (2) - [The Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.markandeya~en-pargiter.4.p10) — Frederick Eden Pargiter 1888, English - [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.markandeya~en-mt.4.48) — English, machine translation --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.markandeya.4.48](https://indike.org/pramana/in.purana.markandeya.4.48) · Pramāṇa