Page 6 - markandeya – The death conqueror

SHRAVAN RUDRABHISHEK BLESSINGS

Yama was disappointed, but had no choice, and thus chastised, and crest-fallen, left for his
abode. Markandeya then prayed to Lord Shiva, more fervently than ever. Markandeya was full
of happiness and bliss to see the plight of Yama and the divine form of his Lord. With tears
trickling down his eyes, he prostrated the Lord and said –

cNÔzeormaïye mm ik< kir:yit vE ym>,

candraçekharamäçraye mama kià kariñyati vai yamaù |

“How can Yama slay me, who has taken refuge in Lord Chandrashekhara.”

Many people recite this prayer even now.

The Lord was pleased and said, “One who is born has to die, this has been the law on earth. You
come to Kailasha, my divine abode. You will have the freedom to come down on earth at your
will. I bless you to become a chiranjivi (immortal). You will remain as a sixteen year old always.”
Lord Shiva blessed Markandeya not just with a long life, but also with immense knowledge.

It also appears that during this time, the Divine Mother also appeared along with Lord Shiva.
She said to Yama, “You cannot take him. He has other karma to perform. I will give him a boon.”
She told Markandeya, “You will write about me and share that knowledge with the humanity so
that they will understand how they can be united with me.” So Markandeya, who was now a
sage, was not only saved but wrote the popular Chandi Path too. It is endowed with extremely
effective shlokas. It has become the saviour of countless devotees on chanting.

To this day, the Hindus reckon Markandeya as one of their immortals. It is said that
Markandeya is a great Chiranjivi, one who lives with the body forever and whose body always
appears young, beautiful and saintly on account of his yogic powers. Markandeya has become
proverbial for long life. The blessing of the elders even today is, "May you live like Markandeya,
forever youthful and beautiful." People believe that even now, he is living somewhere in the
Himalayas, in deep meditation, for the good of the world.

Markandeya became a great rishi. He was devoted to Lord Vishnu also. With his great
austerities and penance Markandeya pleased Lord Vishnu. When Lord Vishnu appeared in front
of Markandeya, he said, “Oh Lord! If you are pleased with me, then I want to have a glimpse of
Your Maya. That Maya, through which You create, sustain and slay this entire world of names
and forms.” Lord granted him the boon. It is well-known that in time, Markandeya witnessed
the ferocious Pralaya (periodical destruction of the world) and also beheld the beautiful and
divine form of the Lord Krishna in a child form, sucking His own thumb on a peepal leaf.

Through the blessings of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, he became the creator of Markandeya
Purana - a storehouse of knowledge and information. The Devi Mahatmayam, a treatise on the
Devi, is part of this Purana. There are many powerful stotras, such as the Maha Mrityunjaya