Markandeya – The one who conquered death

A devotee of Shiva

There once lived a sage called as Mrikandu. He and his wife Marudvati were strong devotees of Lord Shiva. They were very happy singing the songs of the Lord and sharing his stories everywhere. However, the two of them had a regret: They did not have any children.

A severe penance

Therefore, the sage and his wife decided to perform severe penances to win the favour of Lord Shiva. Finally, pleased with their penances, Lord Shiva appeared before them. “Mrikandu, Marudvati, open your eyes!” said the three-eyed God.

A meeting with Shiva

Mrikandu and Marudvati opened their eyes and were stunned to see the handsome Lord Shiva standing before them. 'You have come...Lord', Mrikandu whispered, as both of them immediately fell on the Lord's feet, unable to contain themselves…

A wish for a child

Lord Shiva rejoiced to see the devotion in the couple’s eyes. Smiling at them, he spoke: “I am very pleased with your penance! I wish to grant you a boon. What do you desire, tell me, Mrikandu and Marudvati?” Marudvati looked at the Lord with a smile in her face. 'Lord, all I want is a child...' She looked at her husband, who looked at her encouragingly, 'Lord...' she continued, 'I wish for a child who is blessed by you...'

A special kind of child

Lord Shiva remained silent for a few minutes, considering something. He then looked at the two of them, 'What sort of a child do you want?' Mrikandu and Marudvati looked at each other, puzzled. What sort of question was that? They both turned and looked at Shiva, waiting for him to explain.

A Gifted one or a Foolish one?

Lord Shiva continued, 'What I meant was that, do you wish for a gifted child or a foolish child?' Mrikandu and Marudvati still did not speak, their confusion increasing. What sort of a person would choose a foolish child. Realising that there was a catch somewhere, Mrikandu spoke slowly, 'I do not understand, my Lord.'

An uneasy choice

Lord Shiva said plainly: “Do you wish for a gifted child with a short lifespan, or a foolish child who would live a very long life?” Mrikandu and Marudvati looked at each other with troubled eyes. They realised that this was some sort of a test for them and that they had to make a choice!

Lord and Sage

Marudvati looked at her husband and remembered how they had prayed for a child. She turned at looked at the Lord. 'Lord, I wish for a gifted child with a short lifespan' she said. She then turned to her husband, who was looking at her alarmed. She nodded her head, 'It is okay. We will be happy with him for as long as he is with us…”

In agreement

Mrikandu realised the truth in her words and turned towards Lord Shiva, nodding his head in agreement. The two of them then fell at Lord Shiva's feet. Lord Shiva then blessed them and without another word, vanished.

A Gifted Child

In time, Marudvati gave birth to a boy. The couple named the child Markandeya. Markandeya was a very gifted child. He learnt all the Vedas and the scriptures very fast. He also loved his parents very much. Having observed his parents since his childhood, Markandeya too became a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. He loved singing bhajans for Lord Shiva and would lose himself singing and thinking about the Lord.

Something’s not right

However, being a very intelligent child, Markandeya sensed that his parents were unhappy about something. No matter how hard he tried, his parents remained unhappy. They seemed to put on a happy face when he was around, but deep inside, he could sense their sorrow.

The sixteenth birthday

Finally, on the eve of his sixteenth birthday, Markandeya talked to his parents. “Father, why do you always look so sad? I mean...have I done something to make you so unhappy?” Hearing these words, Mrikandu looked horrified that his son could even think like that, 'We love you, son. You have made us so proud...You are everything that a parent would want in their child...' Mrikandu said, with a bittersweet tone in his voice. Marudvati too broke down crying, 'No...No...How could you even think we are unhappy with you?”

A secret sorrow

Markandeya looked at his parents silently, waiting for an answer. Mrikandu and Marudvati looked at each other, each hesitating to tell Markandeya what their secret sorrow was. Finally, Marudvati broke the silence.

The burden of love

Marudvati began: '…We got you as a boon from Lord Shiva...' Slowly, with the help of Mrikandu, she told her sons the entire story. Markandeya heard them patiently and did not interrupt until both his parents had finished. He felt sorry for his parents. They had loved and nourished him while carrying a secret burden, knowing that they were going to lose him...He looked at them proudly. Yes, they were the bravest people he knew.

Destinies can change

Markandeya was, however, not worried. He knew his parents had changed their destiny and got him as a child. With a knowing smile that changing destinies was nothing new to their family, Markandeya looked at his parents lovingly.

Faith in the Lord

“Father, Mother...Please do not be worried. I will pray to the Lord...” Markandeya said with steely determination. “I am sure the Lord will not let anything happen to me...” His parents could not help but feel optimistic when they heard the words of the boy. Mrikandu hugged his son and blessed him. “Go on son! I am sure you will overcome whatever comes in your way.” Marudvati also blessed her son.

The power of prayer

Armed with the blessings of his parents, Markandeya immediately sets out. He reaches the sea-shore and feels peace seeping into him. “If I am to meet my end, I want it to be here...” he thinks, and sitting down on the seashore, lovingly builds a Shiva Linga there. After building a Shiva linga, Markandeya begins praying to his beloved god.

Yama sends emissaries

Meanwhile, Yama - the god of Death – realising that Markandeya's time on earth was up, sends two emissaries to collect Markandeya's soul.

Deep in Meditation

However, by the time they reach Markandeya’s side, he was so deep in meditation that a strange fierce light emerged from him. The light from him was burning so bright that the servants of Yama could not get close to him. Try as they might, they could not approach him.

Yama informed

Facing failure, the emissaries return crestfallen to their Master. “Master, we could not approach him. There was something coming from him. Something very bright...” The servants shook their head, “It was so bright that it almost burnt us...”

Yama approaches

Yama nodded, 'It is okay. I will take care of this…' Yama then picks up his noose and sits on his buffalo and approaches Markandeya. Yama realises that Markandeya has led a pure and good life, which was the aura protecting him.

God of Death

But Yama being the God of Death, good man or not, nobody can escape him when their time is up. Yama then made himself visible. “Markandeya,” Yama spoke in his deep voice, “your time on earth is up...” Markandeya then opened his eyes and looked at Yama. However, there was no fear in his eyes on seeing the lord of death. Looking at Yama in the eye, Markandeya says, “I will not go with you...My Lord will protect me...”

Yama argues

Yama says, “Your time on earth is up. I have come to take you...” Markandeya, however, shakes his head and hugs the Shiva Linga tightly. Realising that he had no choice, Yama threw his noose around Markandeya's neck to pull out his soul. Unfortunately Yama's noose fell around both Markandeya and the linga. Markandeya closed his eyes tightly, saying “ Save me, my Lord...”

Linga Moves

Markandeya was surprised to feel the linga moving. He opened his eyes in astonishment. Markandeya is thrilled to see the three-eyed Lord before him. His wish had, indeed, been fulfilled. He had seen Lord Shiva now... Markandeya suddenly felt like as if he was inside a protective shield. Nothing could hurt him now...not even death!

Shiva to the rescue

Shiva then raised his trident and pointed it at Yama, who had dropped the noose and backed away in fright. Yama tried dodging the trident, but the weapon pierced his chest. He falls down dead. Imagine - the Lord of Death himself dead!

Devas rush to the scene

Immediately, Lord Indra and other Devas appear on the scene, before Lord Shiva, who was still glaring at Yama. Lord Indra looked at peaceful face of Markandeya with astonishment. The boy had done what no one had done before. Indra turned and bowed to Lord Shiva, 'Lord Shiva...We need to have a Lord of Death... Without death, there would be no balance on earth...People would continue to be born and never die. That is not the way of life. Life is not meant to be this way. Please Lord...Give Yama his life back. So that the balance of life can be restored...' Indra said, pointing to the dead form of Yama.

Shiva agrees

Hearing Indra's words, Lord Shiva was pacified. He nodded slowly, 'Yes...Yama shall have his life back, if...Markandeya is spared...Markandeya will live forever. He will be the one who has conquered death...' The Devas realised that this was a fair deal and accepted the condition.

Yama returns empty-handed

Yama opens his eyes as the wound in his chest healed. Yama looked at Markandeya, smiled and disappeared from there. Markandeya then falls at the feet of Lord Shiva, 'Lord, I want nothing more, I have seen you.'

Shiva blesses Markandeya

Lord Shiva smiles, “Go back to your parents, Markandeya. Look after them for their entire life. You will remain 16 for all eternity” Markandeya goes back to his parents, who are overjoyed to learn of their son’s fate.