Rishi Markandeya was one of the greatest sages of Bharat. He composed the famous ‘Maha Mrityunjay’ mantra which protects individuals from sudden death. He also wrote the ‘Markandeya Purana’ on the banks of river Narmada.
Rishi Markandeya was born to Rishi Mrukandu and his wife. The couple was childless and performed severe austerities to Lord Shiva. Shiva was immensely pleased with their devotion and granted them their wish of having a child. However the couple had to choose between a son who would be brilliant but live only for sixteen years or a son who would be a fool and would live a very long life.
Rishi Mrukandu and his wife chose to have a brilliant son who would live only for sixteen years. Markandeya was born with immense capabilities. He was naturally gifted with enormous knowledge and he was extra-ordinarily wise. He mastered the Vedas and the Shastras and became a great devotee of Shiva. Markandeya used to worship ‘Shivlinga’ (i.e. Shiva in his linga form).
Years passed and his parents became increasingly worried and saddened as the sixteenth year approached. With tearful eyes, they explained to Markandeya the boon they had received from Shiva and the choice they had made. Markandeya remained calm and continued to worship Shiva.
When the time of his death came, Yamaraj – the God of Death arrived to take Markandeya’s life. Markandeya was worshipping the Shivlinga at that moment and he did one simple thing. He just hugged the ‘Shivlinga’. That very moment, Shiva appeared from the ‘Shivlinga’ and attacked Yamaraj. Now, Yamaraj could not take Markandeya’s life.
Lord Shiva bestowed immortality and declared Markandeya “Chiranjeevi”. It is said that Markandeya never aged beyond the age of fifteen. This is because Shiva stopped ‘time’ or ‘Kaal’ for him.
