Markandeya
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Markandeya (Sanskrit: मार्कण्डेय) is an ancient rishi (sage) from the Hindu tradition, born in the clan of Brigu Rishi. He is celebrated as a devotee of both Shiva and Vishnu and is mentioned in a number of stories from the Puranas. The Markandeya Purana especially, comprises a dialogue between Markandeya and a sage called Jaimini and a number of chapters in the Bhagavata Purana are dedicated to his conversations and prayers.[1] He is also mentioned in the Mahabharata.[2] Markandeya is venerated within Vaishnava, Shaivite and Shakta traditions.
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[edit] Rescued by Lord Shiva
One legend relates the story of how Shiva protected Markandeya from the clutches of death. (Yama):[citation needed]
Mrikandu Munivar and his wife Marudmati worshipped Shiva and sought from him the boon of begetting a son. As a result he was given the choice of either a gifted son, but with a short life on earth or a child of low intelligence but with a long life. Mrikandu Munivar chose the former, and was blessed with Markandeya, an exemplary son, destined to die at the age of 16.
Markandeya grew up to be a great devotee of Shiva and on the day of his destined death he continued his worship of Shiva in his form of Shivalingam. The messengers of Yama, the god of death were unable to take away his life because of his great devotion and continual worship of Shiva. Yama then came himself in person to take Markandeya's life away and sprung his noose around the young sage's neck. By accident of fate the noose mistakenly landed around the Shivalingam, and out of it, Shiva emerged in all his fury attacking Yama for his act of aggression. After defeating Yama in battle to the point of death, Shiva then revived him, under the condition that the devout youth would live forever. For this act, Shiva was thereafter known also as Kaalakalaya, meaning 'one who brought death, to death himself'.
Thus Maha Mrityunjaya Stotra is also attributed to Markandeya, [3] and this legend of Shiva conquering death is inscribed in metal and worshiped at Tirukkadavur in Tamilnadu, India.[4] A similar account is also given in Narasimha Purana, although in that version Markandeya is rescued by Vishnu after he recites the Mrityunjaya Stotra.[5]
[edit] Eternal life
Another story which deals with Markandeya's long life gives an account of how he lived past the death of the previous world and watched it end.
[edit] Bhagavata Purana
A tale from the Bhagavata Purana states that when the earth was about to be engulfed by water, Markandeya prayed to Vishnu to rescue him. Vishnu appeared in the form of a child floating on a leaf, and declared to the sage that he was Time and Death. He requested the sage to enter into his mouth and save himself from the surging water. The sage entered inside the mouth of Vishnu, and saw inside Vishnu the entire cosmos, all the gods and deities. The sage came out after some time, Vishnu was still floating seated on the leaf.
[edit] Markandeya Purana
The Devi Mahatmya section of the Markandeya Purana is one of the most important texts of Shakti tradition.[6]
[edit] Films on Markandeya
- Markandeya at the Internet Movie Database (1922)
- Markandeya at the Internet Movie Database (1938)
- Bhakta Markandeya at the Internet Movie Database (1956)
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dallapiccola
- The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hinduism, Chapter 1, pg 13
[edit] External links
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