English
Markandeya and the Mahamrityunjaya
Source: The story of Shiva as Kalantaka, told in the Puranas and in Shaiva tradition; the Mahamrityunjaya mantra: Rig Veda, Mandala 7, Sukta 59, mantra 12
The sage Mrikandu and his wife were devoted to dharma, but they had no child. Longing for a child, they performed hard austerities to Lord Shiva.
Shiva was pleased, appeared and said, “I will give you a son. But choose: a son who lives long but has no virtues, or a son who is wise, virtuous and devoted to me, but whose life will be only sixteen years.”
For a moment the parents were torn. Then Mrikandu folded his hands and said, “Lord, give us a virtuous son, even if his life be short.” Shiva said, “So be it.”
In time a son was born. He was named Markandeya. The child was wonderful. At a young age he had mastered the Vedas and shastras, and his mind was always absorbed in devotion to Shiva.
But a hidden pain lived in his parents' hearts. As the boy grew, they counted the days. When his sixteenth year came, their tears would not stop.
Markandeya asked why, and his parents told him everything. The boy was not afraid. He said, “Do not worry. I will take refuge in Shiva, who gave me to you.” He sat before a Shivalinga and began to worship Shiva with complete devotion.
The appointed day came. Yama's messengers came, but could not approach the radiance of the boy's devotion. Then Yama himself came, riding his buffalo. He swung his noose and threw it at Markandeya. The boy ran and clasped the Shivalinga tightly with both arms, and the noose fell around the boy and the Shivalinga too…
As soon as the noose fell on the Shivalinga, the linga burst open, and Lord Shiva himself emerged in a fierce form. Seeing death's hand raised against his devotee, his anger blazed.
Shiva struck Yama, and the god of death fell to the ground. From that day Shiva was called Kalantaka, the one who ends even death, and Mrityunjaya, the conqueror of death.
Shiva blessed Markandeya that he would remain sixteen forever and be a chiranjeevi, one who lives on. Markandeya is counted among the chiranjeevis who live through the ages.
Tradition tells that later, at the gods' request, Shiva revived Yama, for the balance of creation cannot run without death. But it became the rule that Yama has no power over a true devotee of Shiva.
This Markandeya went on to become a great sage. The Markandeya Purana, which contains the Durga Saptashati, is associated with his name.
Folk tradition links Markandeya with the Mahamrityunjaya mantra: “Om tryambakam yajamahe sugandhim pushtivardhanam, urvarukamiva bandhanan mrityor mukshiya mamritat.” The mantra itself is from the Rig Veda. Its meaning: we worship the three-eyed Shiva, who is fragrant and increases nourishment. As the ripe cucumber is easily released from the vine, may he free us from the bondage of death, not from immortality.
At Thirukkadaiyur in Tamil Nadu stands a famous temple of Shiva in his form as the destroyer of death, where this story is still remembered with devotion.
What this story teaches
Devotion is greater than fear. For one who takes refuge in Shiva with a whole heart, even the fear of death grows small.
The Mahamrityunjaya mantra is especially chanted on Masik Shivratri, on Mondays and in the month of Shravan. Linking Markandeya to the mantra is folk tradition; the mantra itself is from the Rig Veda. The episode appears in different Puranas with somewhat different details.
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