Markandeya – The one who conquered death/Endrendrum 16

Markandeya is an ancient rishi from the Hindu tradition, born in the clan of Bhrigu Rishi. He is celebrated as a great devotee of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva protected Markandeya in the form of Kaalasamhaara Moorthi from the clutch of death in Thirukadaiyur in Tamilnadu. Sri Amirthagateswarar kovil in Thirukadaiyur is dedicated to Lord Shiva in his manifestation as “Destroyer of Death” and his consort Parvathi as Abirami. The story of Markandeya is as follows.

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Mrikandu,  a great rishi and his wife Marudavathi,  were great devotees of Lord Shiva. They were very happy singing the songs of the Lord and spreading his stories everywhere. However they were sad as they did not have any children. 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, Marudavati, open your eyes!' said the three-eyed God.

Mrikandu and Marudavati opened their eyes and were stunned to see the handsome Lord Shiva before them.

'You have come...Lord!' Mrikandu whispered as both of them immediately fell on the Lord's feet unable to contain themselves.

Lord Shiva rejoiced on seeing the devotion in their eyes. He looked at them smiling, 'I am very pleased with your penance! I wish to grant you a boon. What do you desire, Mrikandu and Marudavati?'

Marudavati 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...'

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 Marudavati looked at each other confused. What sort of a question was that? They both turned and looked at the Lord waiting for him to explain.

Lord Shiva continued, 'What I meant was that, do you wish for a gifted child or a foolish child?'

Mrikandu and Marudavati still did not speak. They were confused. 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.'

Lord Shiva said plainly. 'Do you wish for a gifted child who will live only for 16 years or a foolish child who would live a very long life?'

Mrikandu and Marudavati looked at each other with troubled eyes. They realised that this was some sort of a test for them and that they had to choose one of them. Marudavati 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 life span.' She said looking straight at Lord Shiva. She then turned to her husband, who was looking at her alarmed. She nodded her head, 'It is ok. We will be happy with him for as long as he is with us...After that, we will still have his memories...'

Mrikandu realised the truth in her words and also looked at Lord Shiva and nodded his head. The two of them then fell at Lord Shiva's feet. Lord Shiva then blessed them and without another word went back to his home in Kailash.

Marudavati then gave birth to a boy. They 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. Looking at them from his childhood, Markandeya also became a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. He loved singing bhajans for Lord Shiva. He would lose himself singing and thinking about the Lord.

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.

Finally the day before 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 Marudavati broke down crying, 'NO...No...How could you even think we are unhappy with you?'

Mrikandu and Marudavati looked at each other each wanting the other to tell Markandeya. Finally Marudavati broke the silence.

'...It is...just..that...we got you as a boon from Lord Shiva...' Slowly Marudavati with the help of Mrikandu told the entire story to Markandeya.

Markandeya was a patient listener and did not interrupt until both his parents had finished. He felt sorry for his parents. They had loved and nourished him with a burden knowing that they were going to lose him. He looked at them proudly. They were the bravest people he knew.

Markandeya was not however bothered about himself. His parents had changed their destiny and had got him from the Lord. Changing destiny was nothing new to their family. He smiled. He looked at his parents lovingly.

'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.'

Marudavati also blessed her son. Markandeya with the blessings of his parents immediately set out. He came at the sea and felt peace seeping into him.

If I am to meet my end, I want it to be here...He thought and went to the sea shore and with the mud there, lovingly built a shiva linga there.

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He sat down there and started his prayers. He sang bhajans for some time and later he was deep in meditation.

In Hindu mythology, Yama is the God of Death. He along with his soldiers collected the souls of the dead people. Yama realised that Markandeya's time on earth was up. He sent his two servants to collect Markandeya's soul.

However by this time Markandeya 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 go close to him. Try as they might, they could not approach him.

Facing failure for the first time, the servants returned 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 nodded, 'It is ok. I will take care of this..' Yama then picked up his noose and sat on his buffalo vehicle and came up near Markandeya. Yama realised that Markandeya was pure and had lived a good life. That was protecting him. That was what had driven out the servants.

But Yama was the God of Death. Good man or not, nobody escaped from him. However as Markandeya was a noble child, Yama made himself visible.

'Markandeya' Yama spoke deeply, 'Your time on earth is up...'

Markandeya opened his eyes and looked at Yama. However Markandeya did not get afraid. He looked at Yama in the eye. 'I will not go with you...My Lord will protect me...'

Yama repeated, 'Your time on earth is up. I have come to take you...'

Markandeya smiled shook his head and hugged the shiva lingam 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 Save me my Lord...

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Markandeya was surprised when he felt the linga move with his closed eyes. He opened his eyes with astonishment.

Markandeya was thrilled to see the three-eyed Lord before him. His wish had 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...Markandeya looked at Yama and smiled...Not even death

However there was nothing calm about Shiva at that time. Every line of Shiva's face was fierce with anger. And Shiva's trident was raised and pointing at Yama, who had dropped the noose and backed away in fright.

'YOU DARE DISTURB HIM!' Lord Shiva yelled angrily, threatening to open his third eye.

'My Lord...' Yama said afraid, 'His time on earth is up. I have come...'

'HE WILL LIVE FOREVER!...HOW DARE YOU...' Shiva picked up his trident and pierced Yama. Yama tried dodging the trident, but Yama caught the weapon straight in his chest. He fell down dead. The Lord of the Dead was dead!

                                            image courtesy: Google images

Immediately Lord Indra and the other Devas appeared before Lord Shiva, who was still looking at Yama angrily.

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 the Dead... 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 at the dead form of Yama.

Hearing to Indra's words, Lord Shiva was pacified. He nodded slowly, 'Yes...Yes...Yama shall have his life back...if...' Lord Shiva looked at Markandeya who was still looking at Lord Shiva as if he had found the biggest treasure on earth. Lord Shiva smiled at Markandeya, '..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 opened his eyes as the wound in his chest healed. Yama looked at Markandeya, smiled and disappeared from there. The other Devas also went back to the heavens.

Markandeya then fell at the feet of Lord Shiva, 'Lord I want nothing more, I have seen you...'

Lord Shiva smiled, 'Go back to your parents Markandeya, and have a peaceful life.  You have my blessings. You will remain sixteen years for all eternity. You will always have my blessings...'

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Markandeya went back to his parents who were overjoyed on hearing his story. Markandeya was a good son and looked very well after his parents. He never aged more than sixteen.... [Endrendrum 16]

The form which Lord Shiva's assumed to kill Yama is called as 'Kalasamhara Murti' ['Kala' is Death, 'Samhara' is ender, 'Murti' is idol]

In Hindu Mythology it is believed that Markandeya is still alive and roaming the earth and continues to do good to all. He is a chiranjeevi [one who lives for ever].

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA

THIRUCHITRAMBALAM

Story of Savitri & Satyavaan from the Mahabharata

The oldest known version of the story of Savitri and Satyavaan is found in “Aranya Parvam” of the Mahabharata. This story was told by Markandeyah when Yudhisthira asks Markandeyah whether there has even been a woman whose devotion matched Draupadi’s. Markandeyah replies with this story.

Long long ago, there ruled a king named Ashvapati, who ruled the great and glorious kingdom of Madra. The king had everything at his disposal - wealth, power and luxury, but he had no offspring. So he prayed, observed tapas and offered everyday ten thousand oblations in the sacred fire repeating the Gayatri mantra as special prayers for Goddess Savitri. For eighteen years, he repeated this performance. Finally goddess Savitri, the presiding deity of Gayatri mantra was pleased with Ashvapati’s devotion and appeared and grants him a boon, that he will soon have a daughter. The king was joyful at the prospect of a child.

The king and his entire kingdom were overjoyed when his daughter was born and named Savitri in honour of the goddess. The king was very fond of her, gave her full freedom to do whatever she liked. Savitri grew up as a beautiful girl and the fame of her beauty spread far and wide. Royal families around the country asked for her hand by sending marriage proposals to the king. However Savitri refused to marry, saying that she would herself go out in the world and find a husband for herself. The king left the choice to Savitri.

Savitri sets out on a pilgrimage for this same purpose and finds Satyavaan, the son of a blind king name Dyumatsena, who after lost everything lives in exile as a forest-dweller. Hearing that Savitri has chosen a penniless prince, her father was severely disappointed. But Savitri was keen on marrying Satyavaan.

Meanwhile Sage Narada met the king and announced that Savitri had made a bad selection, although Satyavaan is perfect in every way, he was destined to die one year from the day of their marriage. The king Aswapati pleaded to Savitri to forget Satyavaan and choose more suitable husband. But Savitri insisted that she had already accepted Satyavaan as her husband and cannot think of anyone else. The king finally agreed and got Savitri and Satyavaan married.

                       image courtesy: Google

The wedding of Savitri and Satyavaan took place with a lot of fanfare and the couple went back to the forest hut and lived with her parents-in-law. For the whole year they lived happily. Three days before the predicted death of Satyavaan, Savitri started to observe a fast and vigil. Her father-in-law warned her that she had taken on too harsh a regimen, but Savitri assured him that she had taken an oath to perform these austerities and Dyumatsena offered her his full support.

The morning of Satyavaan’s predicted death, Savitri asked for her father-in-law’s permission to accompany her husband into the forest. Since she has never asked for anything during the entire year she has spent with them, Dyumatsena granted her wish.

The couple went into the forest. Under a tall tree, Satyavaan made a seat of soft green leaves and plucked flowers for her to weave into a garland while he chopped wood. Towards noon Satyavaan felt a little tired, and after a while he came and lay down resting his head in Savitri’s lap and within no time he was on the verge of death.

Suddenly the whole forest grew dark and soon Savitri saw Lord Yama - God of Death standing in front of her. Within no time Lord Yama carried out his duty of taking away Satyavaan’s soul and proceeded towards Yamlok.

                                                     image courtesy: Google

When Yama was about to leave, Savitri walked after him, pleaded lord Yama to take her too along with him to Yamalok, the land of the dead, or give back the life of Satyavaan. Lord Yama replied that he can’t take her to Yamalok because her time has not yet come. He advised her to go back to her home and offered her any boon except the life of Satyavaan. She first asked for eyesight and restoration of the kingdom for her father-in-law. Lord Yama granted the boon and moved towards Yamalok.

Instead of returning, Savitri continued to walk behind Lord Yama through the rough roads of thorns and ditches. Savitri continued to follow, with torn clothes and bleeding feet. Lord Yama was impressed at her noble conduct and offered her another boon except the life of Satyavaan. She asked for a hundred sons for her father. Yama immediately granted the boon and again proceeded towards Yamlok. Savitri still continued to follow him instead of returning.

Lord Yama was about to reach the gate of Yamalok and saw that Savitri was still following him. He was irritated with this act of Savitri and warned her that what she is doing is against nature and she should immediately return. Savitri praised Yama as he is the king of Dharma and praised about the glory of righteousness, on law, justice and mercy and appealed to Yama as the embodiment of all these. 

Lord Yama was impressed by her praise and offered her a final boon with a promised from her to return immediately. She asked for many sons for herself. Out of distraction, Yama granted the boon. Savitri instantly asked Yamaraj how she could give birth to many sons without Satyavaan? Yama laughed noting that he has been outwitted by the cleverness of Savitri. He then released the soul of Satyavaan, blessed them both and disappeared.

Savitri found herself under the tree where Satyavaan was laying. Satyavaan woke up as if he was in deep sleep, he saw Savitri both crying and laughing. When asked, she said “nothing my love, let’s go back to the hut”.

Meanwhile Dyumatsena regained his eyesight even before Savitri and Satyavaan’s return. Dyumatsena became the king and Satyavvan as the crown prince. Savitri came to get one hundred brothers and many sons. Satyavaan ultimately ruled the Salwa kingdom and led a very happy and peaceful life with Savitri.

The End

Source: Wikipedia, Aurobindo, Mahabharat