Stories From The Bhagawatham - Markandeya And His Divine Vision Part 1

 


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The Bhagawatham mentions a Rishi by name Markandeya who is believed to have witnessed the Mahapralaya and survived it too.

Markandeya was born into a pious family. At a very young age, he mastered all the holy scriptures and lived the life of a Brahmachari. Such was the power of his tapas that he is said to have even conquered death. The Devas were always in awe of him.

However, King Indra doubted Markandeya’s righteousness. Wanting to test as well as disturb the yogi’s resolve, Indra sent his people to play havoc and disrupt Markandeya’s tapas. He sent the Gandharvas to the Rishi to unsettle him with their songs and dances. Vasantha, the spring season and Manmatha, the lord of love also tried to divert Markandeya’s mind.

The Apsaras were dancing before him. Manmatha kept his bow ready, to shoot a five-pointed arrow that could disturb the five senses of Markandeya, who was into deep meditation at that time. When the great Rishi opened his eyes, the fire of his tapas reflected in them and everyone who had gathered there to disrupt his resolve fled away in fear. Such was the power of Markandeya.

Pleased with his devotion, Lord Narayana came to visit Markandeya as Nar and Narayana. Such was the divine form of both these entities that Markandeya felt as if all his accumulated Tapas had taken the form of these two heavenly beings. He received them with great respect and performed all the necessary rituals for their worship. With folded hands, he said to them, “I salute you, Lord Narayana who has taken the twin forms of Nar and Narayana for the good of the world. You pervade the whole world. You are the lord of everything. The one who has found refuge in your holy feet will not want for anything.”

Nar and Narayana were immensely pleased with Markandeya’s worship. “Your tapas and bhakti have already made you a siddha. Ask any boon of us and we will give it to you.”

Markandeya said humbly, “What more can anyone wish for after seeing You!? But I will not disrespect Your command. I humbly request you to provide knowledge about Maya that causes ignorance in human beings.”

“This Maya will be revealed to you shortly.” So saying, the twin deities departed to their dwelling place Badrikashrama.

Markandeya was soon to be granted a vision that no one in the universe could claim to have seen!

Read The Next Part Here

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