Markandeya - The One Who Conquered Death

Hello you readers out there, this time I am going to take you to trip of a small but really interesting story of our traditional world that you ought to know. It’s the Bhakta Markandeya story. I know, only few of you have heard of him, many of you would be wondering who is this new character in Hindu mythology, but my dear, I must tell you that he is one of the most adorable character in our Purans. He was a big worshiper of lord Shiva and lord Vishnu and very intelligent as well. ‘The One Who Conquered Death’, sounds something horrible, a war or something like that eh! Not at all, it’s just a silent and devotional request asking to allow him to live more to serve his parents well.

Right from our childhood, we have been listening and learning numerous stories about our traditions, our ancestors, and gods, goddesses, etc. Sometimes from our granny, grandpa, and our parents and else others. So, let’s go to the cruise of mythology and create an image of Markandey story in our mind to imagine the reality and get knowledge of spirituality.

Famous Curses In Hindu Mythology

Markandey was born in the clan of Brigu Rishi. His father Mrikandu rishi and mother Marudmati worshiped lord Shiva for several years for a son. Due to their devotion and prayers, Lord Shiva appeared in front of them and asked them to choose if they wanted hundred fool sons who could live for thousands of years or a single intelligent son with a life of only sixteen years. The devotional couple chose for the intelligent one and the lord said ‘TATHA-ASTU’, and left them with a really very intelligent and handsome son. And thus Markandey got birth on earth.

But the story has not begun yet. Markandey grown up by studying Vedas, Purans, etc. and had a great sense of understanding. With this ability he always was able to solve any kind of problems arousing out around him. But as he was growing older, his parents were going in deep sorrow by the thought of separation of them from their child when he gets to sixteen. When Markandey noticed the sadness of their parents, he asked the reason of their sorrow and his parents told him the truth that he was with them only for a few more days and after that Yam (Lord of Death) would take him away.

Listening to the talk, Markandey decided to worship Lord Shiva for the rest of his life as, Shiva is very kind to us and would definitely help him out to this critical rule of life and death. And thus, started worshiping Shiva, he started pronouncing various mantras, jaaps, and sang prayers day and night without considering the time.

On the very last day of his life, the messengers of Yam came to take his soul away, but Markandey continued to worship Shiva. This made it difficult for the messengers to take him away to the Yamloka. At last Lord Yam himself had to come to take him away but it became a big a trouble for him to do so. In the end he got angry and sprung his lariat around the little Markandey but accidentally it got to hit the Shivlinga that little Markandey was holding tight and worshiping. At the instant, Shiva emerged from the Shivlinga in a rage and kicked Yam for his belligerence against the boy.

On the other hand, Shiva blessed the young Markandey with long life and an everlasting devotion and faith in his heart.

Thereafter, Shiva got a new name as ‘Kalantaka’ (Ender of Death).

In his further life, Wrishi Markandey became a great Maha-wrishi and wrote Markandey Purana which contains numerous prayers, mantras and the inspirational stages of life.