Shri Shirdi Sai Speaks-8th July/ Shri Markandeya - Wonderful stories of Lord Shiva

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Shri Shirdi Sai Speaks-8th July/ Shri Markandeya - Wonderful stories of Lord Shiva Posted: 07 Jul 2012 07:18 PM PDT Om Sai Ram The wonderful stories related to Lord Shiva Markandeya  is an ancient rishi (sage) from the Hindu tradition, born in the clan of Bhrigu Rishi. He is celebrated as a devotee of both Shiva and Vishnu and is mentioned in a number of stories from the Puranas. Mrikandu was a great rishi. Marudvati was his wife. For a long time they had no children. The rishi prayed to lord Siva. Lord Siva appeared to him, and said, "I am pleased with you, Mrikandu. Tell me, do you want a hundred sons, who will live for a long time, but will all be foolish? Or, do you want one very intelligent son, who will live for only sixteen years?" The rishi at once said, "Lord, give me that one intelligent son." Lord Siva said, "Good! You shall have him." Soon the rishi got a son. He named him Markandeya. The boy grew to be very intelligent and handsome. The rishi invested him with the sacred thread. Markandeya learnt the Vedas and Sastras, easily. Everyone liked him. As the boy was getting on to be sixteen, Rishi Mrikandu became sadder and sadder. One day Markandeya asked his father: "Father, why do you look so sad?" The rishi said, "Son! What shall I say? When Lord Siva gave you to me, he said you would live only sixteen years. You are now about to reach that age. How can Iand your mother bear to lose you as we will at the end of this year?" Markandeya said, "Father! Is that the reason? Lord Siva is very kind to His devo- tees. You yourself told me that. He has saved many from death before. I have read about it in the Puranas. I shall therefore worship Lord Siva day and night from today. I am sure, He will save -me too! " RishiMrikandu was very happy to hear his son say this. He blessed his son. Markandeya built a Siva-Linga at a spot on the sea-shore. He started worshipping Lord Siva morning, noon and night. He sang bhajans, and often danced in joy. On the last day, Markandeya was about to sing bhajans, when Yama, the Lord of Death, came to him. Yama rode on a buffalo. He held a noose in his hand. He spoke to Markandeya, "Stop your bhajan! You boy! Your life in this world is over. Be ready to die." Markandeya was not afraid. He clung to the Siva-Linga as one clings to one's mother. Yama threw his noose round the boy's neck, and pulled him along with the Siva- Linga.Then the Siva-Linga burst open and Lord Siva came out of it, Lord kicked Yama in the chest, and said, "Yama, begone! Don't touch this boy. He is my beloved devotee. He will live forever!" Yama went away crest-fallen. Markandeya then prayed to Lord Siva more fervently than ever. This prayer says at the end of each line, "What can Death do to me?" Many people recite this prayer even now. Having conquered Mrtyu (Death), Markandeya was called Mrtyunjaya. Markandeya was therefore called a Chiranjiva and he was always 16 years old. Markandeya came home, and fell at the feet of his parents. They embraced him, and wept with joy. Markandeya became a great rishi, and lived very long. Sri Markandeya Devastanam in worli Shri Markandey Mahamunu Sulapur Maharashtra India. Shri Markandeya temple in Bilaspur Markandeya is 20 km from Bilaspur. Markandeya is a small village in Bilaspur District noted for the Markandeya Temple. It is on Ghagus- Brahmpukhar road. This place is named after Rishi Markanday, who was born here. Nearby flows a spring of water, which attracts the pilgrims of Char Dham. A festival is celebrated here annually on Baisakhi with great pomp and splendor. Markandeya Temple isdedicated to Sage Markandeya who lived and worshipped there. Legends claim that a tunnel connected Markandeya and Vyas caves and the sages used to visit each other through this subterranean route. A night fair held in the nearby spring on the Baisakhi day draws a large number of devotees. The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra  also called the Tryambakam Mantra, is a verse of the Rigveda .It is addressed to Tryambaka "the three-eyed one", an epithet of Rudra, later identified with Shiva.The verse also recurs in the Yajurveda The Mahamritryunjaya Mantra was found by Rishi Markandey. It was a secret Mantra, and Rishi Markandey was the only one in the world who knew this Mantra. The Moon was once in trouble, cursed by King Daksh. Rishi Markandey gave the Mahamritryunjay Mantra to Sati, Daksh's daughter, for the Moon. This is how the mantra came into common knowledge. When chanted with love and devotion, this mantra will protect us from all evil, remove diseases, and bestow upon us peace, prosperity and good health. It will ultimately free us from the cycle of birth and death. Six months before a disease is noticeable, the aura of the body becomes very weak. To strengthen the aura, chant the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra or listen to it using headphones. Do not repeat it in silent meditation. This mantra is an external mantra which should only be heard or chanted. If played at the bedside of an ailing person, it will bring them great relief.