Markandeya Rsi

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Vrn Parker <vrnparker >

Mailing-List: list vediculture

Thu, 24 Feb 2005 14:48:50 -0800 (PST)

[world-vedic] Markandeya, the divine child

 

Sage Mrikandu and his wife Marutavati was a childless couple. In order

to sire a son, the sage went on severe penance. So pleased was Lord

Shiva with his devotion that he appeared in front of Mrikandu to ask

what he wanted. Mrikandu begged, "Lord, I am childless since long. I

would be grateful if you would grant my wife a son."

 

Lord Shiva replied, "Your wish will be granted. But there is a

condition. You have to decide whether you want a wise son who will

live up to sixteen years only, or a dumb son with a long life?"

 

The sage thought over it for a moment before saying, "All I want is a

son of whom I shall be proud."

 

Lord Shiva granted the sage the boon he desired.

 

After nine months, the sage's wife gave birth to a son whom they named

Markandeya. He grew up into a very bright and obedient boy. He soon

learned the Vedas and the Shastras. But as each day passed, his

parents' worries grew as they feared that as soon as he completed

sixteen years of age, he would die.

 

One day, the boy asked his parents the cause of their worry. Initially

they hedged but his persistence forced them to blurt out the story of

the boon Lord Shiva had granted.

 

When Markandeya crossed fifteen years of age, he approached his

parents to seek their permission to go on penance to win over Lord

Shiva. His parents agreed though reluctantly in the hope that he may

be able to please Lord Shiva.

 

So Markandeya left for the forest and began meditating in front of a

Shiva linga. While he continued with his meditation, time flew and on

the appointed day of his sixteenth year, Lord Yama, the God of Death,

appeared to take him away from earth. Markandeya in desperation

embraced the Shiva linga. At once the linga split apart and Lord Shiva

appeared from it with his trishul (strident) in hand. In one mighty

blow, Lord Shiva killed the God of Death with his trishul. Turning to

Markandeya, Lord Shiva said, "I am pleased with your devotion. As such

I grant you the boon that you remain sixteen-years old forever and

never grow old."

 

Meanwhile, the gods came from heaven to plead for restoring Lord Yama

to life as "life and death have to go hand in hand, one after

another."

 

Lord Shiva agreed to restore Lord Yama to life while Markandeya became

the symbol of eternity.