Markandeya – The one who conquered death - Mythological story

Deity Yama - Lord of death story - for Nakshtra Bharani

Markandeya – The one who conquered death.  

There once lived a sage called as Mrikandu. He and his wife Marudvati were strong devotees of Lord Shiva.

 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.

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...'

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?'  Do you wish for an exemplary  child of short life or a foolish child of a long life?

Both of them opted for an exemplary child of short life. Lord Shiva then blessed them and without another word went back to his home in Kailash.

Marudvati 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.

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 Marudvati broke down crying, 'NO...No...How could you even think we are unhappy with you?'

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

'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...'

In Hindu mythology, Yama is the God of Death. He along with his agents collected the souls of the dead people.

Yama realised that Markandeya's time on earth was up. He sent his two agents 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 agents of Yama could not go close to him. Try as they might, they could not approach him.

Facing failure for the first time, the agents returned crestfallen to their master.

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.

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

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

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. .Markandeya will live forever. He will be the one who has conquered death...'

Lord Shiva known to be the ender of death (kalaantika).