Interesting story of Shiva devotee Rishi Markandeya who conquered death and attained immortality!
Sage Mrikand was leading an ascetic life in a forest. His wife was Marudhwati. They remained childless for a long time. Mrikand did rigorous penance for many years to please Lord Shiva for a child.
Lord Shiva appeared before him in all his glory. He said, “I am pleased with your devotion. Ask me for any boon you desire.” Mrikandu was very happy.
He prayed to Lord Shiva thus: “O Lord! I am childless. Grant me a son.”
Lord Shiva replied, “Do you want a virtuous, intelligent and pious son who will live for sixteen years or a dull-witted, evil-tempered son who will live for a long time?”
Sage Mrikandu did not hesitate over the choice. He did not want a useless son. He only pleaded for a short-lived son whom he could be proud of.
Lord Shiva accepted the request of his devotee and departed. After some time Marudhvati conceived and gave birth to a son.
The parents were extremely happy with the new arrival whom they named “Markandeya”. When Markandeya was five years old, Mrikandu arranged for his studies. Even as a child, Markandeya had studied all the Vedas. and had mastered the scriptures.
His pleasing ways made him the darling of his teachers. The boy was liked by all. When he turned twelve his parents arranged for his Upanayana. He was initiated into the chanting of the mystic Gayatri Mantra.
The boy was very regular in performing Sandhya Vandana which pleased his parents and other elders. Thus he was passing his days very happily pleasing everyone with his attractive looks and pleasant behaviour.
But the parents were sad in heart and a gloom spread across their faces whenever they saw their son. They did not tell Markandeya that he was not destined to live much longer.
The sixteenth year was fast approaching. One day, unable to control their grief, they wept before him. Markandeya was shocked. He gently asked them the reason for their grief.
Mrikandu said with tears rolling down his cheeks, “O my son! According to the boon of Lord Shiva you are destined to live only for sixteen years. How can we face it? We are helpless and do not know what to do.”
Markandeya consoled his parents saying that death is not something that wise people should fear. It is as natural as birth.
The next day the boy came to them and said, “Dear father and mother, do not worry about me. I have the faith to conquer death. Bless me so that I may succeed in my attempt. Allow me to perform severe penance to please the Lord.”
The parents heartily blessed him and sent him off for penance.
Markandeya was to complete his sixteenth year on a certain day. Yama knew that Markandeya’s life was about to end. As usual Yama’s servants came to take his life. But they could not approach him as the radiation from him was too intense for them.
So, Yama, the god of death himself came on his habitual black buffalo. In his hand was the famous rope with a noose to take the boy's soul out of his body.
Yama saw the young devotee absorbed in worshiping Lord Shiva. Yama could not allow the worship to be completed if he had to properly perform his duty as the Lord of Death.
Markandeya could not be allowed to live even a minute more after completing his sixteenth year.
Normally invisible to human eyes, this time Yama was forced to show himself to the young boy because of the latter's intense piety and devotion to the Lord.
Yama threw his rope from the noose and it went and encircled Markandeya's neck and also the Shiva Linga. The Shiva Linga split into two parts at once.
Just then Shiva appeared with a trident in his hand. He pushed Yama aside and killed him to save the child.
From that day onwards Markandeya got the name Mrityunjaya and Kalakala.
Thereafter, at the request of other gods, Shiva granted life to Yama.
Then, turning to the young devotee, whose devotion pleased him immensely, Lord Shiva blessed him with deathlessness.
During this time, Markandeya composed the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra.
This is the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra – Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam. Urvarukamiva Bandhanat, Mrityormukshiy Maamritaat.
The simple meaning of this mantra is that we remember the three-eyed Lord Shiva with all our heart. You nourish and strengthen the sweetness of our life. Free yourself from the bondage of life and death and move towards Amrit.
Shiva told Markandeya that from now on, any devotee who chants the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra will be relieved of all his sufferings and will also be saved from the fear of untimely death.
He told Markandeya, “Your every wish will be fulfilled. You will never become old or grey-haired. You will remain virtuous and famous till the end of the world.
To this day, Hindus consider Markandeya as one of the immortals who lived even in Kali Yuga.
मृत्यु पर विजय प्राप्त करके अमरता पाने वाले शिव भक्त ऋषि मार्कंडेय की रोचक कथा!
यह सनातन प्रेरक कथा अल्पायु मार्कंडेय के चिरंजीवी ऋषि मार्कंडेय के शिव जी के आशीर्वाद से अमर बनने की कथा हैं| यह २ मिनट की कथा भगवन शिव के द्वारा यम को हराकर अपने भक्त मार्कंडेय को अमरता प्रदान करने की रोचक कथा है|
ऋषि मृकंडु एक जंगल में एक तपस्वी जीवन व्यतीत कर रहे थे। उसकी पत्नी मरुध्वती थी। वे बहुत समय तक निःसंतान रहे। मृकंडु ने भगवान शिव को संतान प्राप्ति के लिए प्रसन्न करने के लिए कई वर्षों तक कठोर तपस्या की।
भगवान शिव अपने पूरे वैभव में उनके सामने प्रकट हुए। उन्होंने कहा, "मैं आपकी भक्ति से प्रसन्न हूं। जो वर चाहो, वह मुझ से मांग लो। मृकंडु बहुत खुश हुआ।
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