Markandeya Purana (मार्कण्डेय पुराण) is one of the eighteen major Puranas from the vast Hindu literature. Markandeya is a sage born in the clan of the Bhrigu (भृगु) Rishi. He is the son of Rishi Mrikandu and his mother’s name is Marudmati. Both of them worshipped Lord Shiva for a son. When the Lord appeared he offered them the choice of either a righteous son with a short life on earth or a child with low intelligence but long life. Rishi Mrikandu chose the former and Markandeya was born. He was destined to live only till the age of 16.

However, the latter grew up to become a great devotee of Lord Shiva and on the day he was destined to die he continued worshipping Lord Shiva in his abstract representation of Shiva Lingam (शिव लिङ्गम्). Neither the messengers of Yama (यम) nor Yama, the lord of death, himself could take Markandeya’s life because of his utmost devotion and continual worship of Lord Shiva. Yama out of aggression through his noose to capture Markandeya but that noose fell on the Shiva Lingam. Lord Shiva appeared in all his fury and fought Yama to the point of this death. Lord Shiva let go of Yama and in return asked for eternal life for the young Markandeya. Thus, Markandeya obtained the boon to live forever.

Markandeya Purana¹ comprises of 137 chapters that cover theories of Karma, Samsara, Dharma, Shraddha, Yoga, among others.

Chapter 1