Markandeya — Conquering Death

Sage Mrikandu and his wife prayed for a son. Lord Shiva appeared and offered them a choice: a foolish son who would live a long life, or an exceptionally brilliant and devoted son who would only live to the age of sixteen. They chose the latter, and named him Markandeya.

Markandeya grew into a wise and devoted child. As his sixteenth birthday approached, his parents became overwhelmed with grief. Seeing their sorrow, Markandeya learned of his fate and decided to seek refuge in Lord Shiva.

On the fateful day, Markandeya sat in the temple, deeply engrossed in meditating upon the Shivalinga. First, Yama's messengers arrived, but the spiritual radiance of the boy drove them away. Finally, Yama, the God of Death, arrived in person on his buffalo.

Yama threw his noose, which caught both the boy and the Shivalinga he was embracing. Furious at the disrespect shown to His symbol, the Shivalinga split open and Lord Shiva emerged in a terrifying form. He struck Yama with His trident, saving Markandeya.

Shiva declared, "My devotee shall not die. He will remain a sixteen-year-old forever, an immortal sage." The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is attributed to Markandeya's devotion, a powerful chant that protects against untimely death.