Bhakta Markandeya

Hindu literature mentions a rishi (sage) by the name of Markandeya. He is the son of Manasvini, the wife of the wise man Mrikanda. A debate between Markandeya and a sage by the name of Jaimini may be found in the Markandeya Purana, which is credited to the sage. The Bhagavata Purana contains several chapters that are devoted to his dialogue and petitions. The Mahabharata makes reference of him as well. All widely practised Hindu traditions hold Markandeya in high regard.

According to one myth, Shiva shielded Markandeya from Yama, the personification of death.For numerous years, Sage Mrikanda engaged in penance to appease Shiva and prayed for the blessing of having a son. The deity gave him the option of choosing between a long life for a dull-witted or wicked child or a short life for a good and devout son. Mrikanda opted for the former and was fortunate to get Markandeya, a morally upright son who would pass away at the age of sixteen. Markandeya grew up to become a famous follower of Shiva after mastering the Vedas and Shastras. Shortly before turning sixteen, he learned his fate from his distraught parents and began to practise extreme austerity. On the day of his destined death, he continued his worship of Shiva in the deity’s aniconic form of a lingam. The messengers of Yama, the god of death, were unable to take away his life because the power of his devotion to Shiva shielded him against them. Yama came in person to take away Markandeya’s life, even as the sage embraced the lingam, crying for help. Yama sprung his noose around the young sage’s neck, which also circled the lingam. Angered, Shiva emerged from the lingam, attacking Yama to save his devotee. After slaying Yama, Shiva revived him under the request of the devas, under the condition that Markandeya remain sixteen years old forever. For this act, Shiva acquired the epithet kalantaka .

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