Brahmarishi Markandeya
Other names: Markendeya; Mārkaṇḍeya. A long-lived sage and great devotee of Shiva and Vishnu, traditionally the son of Mrikandu. Shiva is said to have rescued him from Yama, and later narratives remember him as the sage who witnessed the cosmic dissolution and received profound visions of divine reality.
“Thus fifteen years passed by, when sage Narada arrived at the Mrikandu hermitage. After receiving the honours from the parents and the son, Narada told Mrikandu: “Sir, Lord Siva granted only a limited span of life to your son, simply to test your faith. So please perform another penance and obtain the favour of the Lord to see that your son lives long.” Mrikandu and his wife decided to accept the advice of Narada…. Death’s long rope, Markandeya embraced the image of Lord Siva tightly and prayed: “Lord Siva, God of Mercy and Compassion and Forgiveness, the god of Death is approaching me. You alone can prevent his carrying me away. I seek your refuge with all my heart and mind and soul.” The god of Death was astounded at the uncompromising devotion of the boy-saint. Although he hated to take away that figure of saintly effulgence, he had no choice but to perform his apportioned duty. He threw out his lasso to pull up Markandeya, and it surrounded the Siva image along with the boy. Undeterred, Markandeya began worshipping Lord Siva, by unceasingly repeating NAMASSIVAAYA… Siva said: “Sir, be more careful in future in discharging your duty. In granting him a short life I was merely trying to put his devotion to test. I will now make him longliving. Now go back to your realm.” Accordingly Yama returned to his abode.”- Shivapuranam
