Word

Markandeya Purana

Sanskrit

मार्कण्डेय पुराण

IAST

mārkaṇḍeya purāṇa

In General

Markandeya Puran explains the magnificence and glory of Trimuthis, Durga, Indra, Sun, Agni etc. It is classed under Rajasik Purana and talks about various relevant topics through its 137 chapters and nine thousand slokas. This great work which named after Sage Markandeya is a celebrated work compared to many other of its class. The 700 slokas of Durga Sapthasati (Chandi Path or DeviMahtmya ) is from this Purana. The authorship of Markandya Purana like all other Mahapurana is ascribed to Veda Vyasa. The Markandya Purana originated from Brahma. Brahma taught this to Brighu. Then Brighu to Chyavanan, Daksha, Markandya in the order of precedence.

Once Sage Jaimini , the disciple of Veda Vyasa , asked Markandeya on how to critically evaluate the four kinds of ‘ Purusharthas ’ (human aspirations), namely: Dharma (Virtue), Artha (Wealth), Kama (desire) and Moksha (Salvation) in real life as told in the great Epic Mahabharatha. Sage Jaimini's moral dilemma came in the form of four questions: Why the Supreme Force that create, preserve and also destroy the Universe, took to a human form as Vasudeva , a subject to death? Why did Devi Draupadi become the common of five of Pandavas ? Why did an Avatara , the illustrious Balarama atone the sin of ' Brahmahatya ' (killing of a Brahmana) during his pilgrimage? What cause the unceremonious death of Draupadi’s Sons?

The Sage Markandeya do not cleared the doubt in the first instance and replied that he was busy with his routine rituals and as such the Sage Jaimini might better contact Four Sacred Birds, namely, Pingaksha , Subodha , Suputra and Sumukha , who were experts in Vedas and Scriptures. The Holy birds welcomed Jaimini and answered the doubts which they learned when Markandeya taught the same to Kraustuki. To the first question the answer was:

" Yada Yadahi dharmasya Glanirbhavati Jaiminey

Abhuthhaanamadharmasya thadaatmaanam Srujasthyasow"

Hey Jaiminey! As and when Dharma is distressed and Adharma is encouraged, Paramatma takes a Form and creates the Self as an Incarnation

The way of divine power is not just to solve the problem but to teach humanity on how to get adhered to Dharma and live in proper way.

The birds answered the other questions also and each answer were so apt that Jaimini became cleared of all doubt. Markandeya Purana also talks about a person's responsibilities, duties, day-to-day works etc. According to scriptures Generosity and Dharma is above worshiping, prayers and pujas. Examples of modesty are expressed by many examples like Atri-Anasuya. The story of King Harishchandra is told with full detail in Markandeya Purana.

Purana

The Contents of Markandeya Purana

Various Creations and Famous Mythological Characters. Birth of Four Birds. Birds Migrate to Vindhyachal. Divine Plays of God. Draupadi’s Five Husbands. Expiation of Balaram. Impartial in war and went for pilgrimage with wife Revathi. Sutaji did not stand up.

King Harishchandra. The Stork and the Partridge. Birth of Living Creatures. Story of Sumati. Description of Different Hells. Yamadoot and the King of Videha. Description of Tortures in Hell. Attenuation of Sins. Famous Mythological Characters

Greatness of Being Chaste (and birth of Durvasa, Dattatreya, Chandrama). Dattatreya Preaches Kartaveerya Arjuna. Kuvalayashva and the Horse Kuvalaya. Kuvalaya goes to Patal Loka, Killing of Demon Patal Ketu and Marriage with Madalasa

Prince Ritudhwaj stayed in the hermitage of sage Gaalav. Separation of Madalasa. Madalasa is Reborn. Ritudhwaj Reunites with Madalasa. . Birth of Madalasa’s Sons. Preachings of Madalasa. Duties of People Belonging to Various Ashrams. 1Varnashram Dharma. Duties of a Grihastha (Householder)

Shradha and its Rituals. Regular and Causal Duties. Dos and Don’t During a Shraadha. Auspicious Days and Months. Fruits of Shraadh performed during different Nakshatras. Forbidden and Permitted Items

King Alark and his queries about Yoga. King Alark Receives a Ring. Wisdom of Alark. Dattatreya Preaches Alark. Perfection in Yoga. .Daily Routine of a Yogi. Description of Omkar. Description of Disastrous Traps. Alark Masters Yoga and Penance of Jada and his Father

The Universe and Lord Brahma’s Manifestation. The Origin of the Universe. creation came into being just like lightning. Lord Brahma’s Life Span. Natural and Flawed Creations. how Brahma did his creations? Creation of the Deities. Copulative Creations

Daksha’s Lineage. Descendants of Duhsah. The Creation of Rudras. The Various Manavantars. Swayambhuva Manavantar. Jambudveep. The Origin of the Ganga. A Description of Bharat-Varsha. Tortoise Incarnation

The Descriptions of Bhadrashva. The Description of Kimpurush-Varsha. The Beginning of Swarochish Manavantar. Varudhini’s Modesty Breached. His Marriage with Manorama. Swarochi’s Other Marriages. Swarochi’s Reproachment. The Origin of Swarochish Manu. Swarochish Manavantar.

Auttam Manavantar. King Uttam Abandons his Wife. Brahmin’s Wife Returns Home. The Sage and King Uttam. The Birth of Auttam Manu. Auttam Manavantar. Tamas Manavantar. Raivat Manavantar. Chakshush Manavantar. Vaivasvat Manavantar. The Sages of Saavarnik Manavantar.

Killing of Madhu Kaitabha. The Destruction of Mahishasura’s Army. The Deities Eulogize Goddess Bhagwati. Goddess Parvati and Shumbh’s Messenger. Killing of Dhumralochan. Killing of Chand and Mund. Killing of Raktabeej. Killing of Nishumbh. Killing of Shumbh. Devi Stotra. Goddess Bhagwati Blesses the Deities. Goddess Bhagwati Blesses Surath and the Vaishya.

Savarna Manavantar. Rauchya Manavantar. Birth of Rauchya Manu. Ruchi Advised to get Married. Ruchi Eulogizes his Ancestors. Ancestors Bless Ruchi.

The Beginning of Bhautya Manavantar. Birth of Martandadev. Manifestation of the Sun God (Aditya) and the Vedas. Lord Brahma Eulogizes Surya. Progeny of Kashyap Prajapati and Aditi’s Eulogy of Divakar. Aditi gives birth to Aditya. Vishwakarma Eulogizes Aditya. Rajyavardan’s Subjects Eulogize Aditya for their King’s Long Life. Martandadev and his Descendants

Famous Mythological Tales. King Prishadhna. Prince Nabhag. Curse of Sage Pramati. Agastya’s Brother Curses Kripavati. Bhalandan and Vatsapri. The Kingdoms of Pranshu, Prajaati and Khanitra. King Khanitra. King Vivinsha. King Khaninetra. Karandham. King Aveekshit. Birth of Aveekshit and Abduction of Vaishaalini. Aveekshit gets defeated in Battle. Liberation of Aveekshit and his Disenchantment. Aveekshit Promises his Father to get Married. Aveekshit Rescues Vaishalini. Aveekshit Marries Vaishalini.

King Marut. Birth of Marut. Marut Ascends the Throne. The Serpents take the Refuge of Bhamini (Vaishalini). The Hermit’s Sons Come to Life Again. King Narishyant. Sumana Chooses Dama as her Husband. Killing of Narishyant. King Dama and his Marriage with Sumana. Dama Vows to Kill Vayushmaan. Killing of Vayushmaan. The Benefits of Listening to the Markandaya Purana.