The Story Of Markandeya

Continuing with ‘Poetry in Stone’ series, this week we present the tale of Markandeya as depicted in various reliefs

Sage Mrikandu and his wife Marudvati performed a penance to win the blessings of Shiva to beget a child. Shiva pleased with their penance offered a choice – a virtuous son who will have a short life of only 16 years or a foolish son who will have a long life. The pious couple chose to be parents of a virtuous son who they named Markandeya.

Legend has that towards the end of fifteenth year, Markandeya who had grown up to be a great devotee of Shiva questioned a look of gloom that his parents were trying in vain to hide and learned the truth about his lifespan. Consoling them that Shiva would take care of his devotees; he sat down praying in front of the Shiva Linga.

It is believed that pleased with the prayers Brahma taught Markandeya the “Mahamrityunjaya Mantra”

On the destined day Yama, the god of death, invariably had to come personally to draw the life out of Markandeya as his messengers failed in their attempts. Markandeya, seeing Yama and his demonic form, in fear holds on to the Linga like a child would cling to a parent. Yama bound by his duty has no choice but to fling the noose of death towards the boy holding the Linga.

At the touch of noose, it is said, Shiva emerged from the Linga, brought Yama down with a kick to the chest and killed him with the Trishul.  All the gods appeared before the angry Shiva and requested him to restore life of Yama as without death the world would be unbalanced.  Shiva relented to the other gods, blessed Markandeya immortality by a boon of never ageing beyond sixteen and brought Yama back to life.

Both Brihadeswara temple at Thanjavur and Kamarasavalli, are from the time of the Cholas and have sculptures portraying the above story.

Thanjavur – Big Temple

The story in Thanjavur is seen in a larger than life size. Shiva with four arms, trishul pointing down and stamping on Yama is in the center panel while Markandeya holding on to the Linga is presented to the left on a separate panel. The artist has made good use of the size in showing details of face & ornamentation. But the use of multiple panels breaks the flow of the story.

Kamarasavalli

The sculpture at Kamarasavalli fascinates for two reasons – firstly it narrates the story in a single panel and secondly the artist has managed it in a panel that is just about the size of a palm. Though it lacks the detailing seen in the Thanjavur work it more than makes it up in fluidity at its miniature scale.

The fury of shiva, the helpless and scared Yama trying to drag a Markandeya who so devotedly is holding on to a Linga is unmistakable. If you blinked fast enough it can fool you into believing it’s animated – like a flipbook. Kamarasavalli temple is located in the Trichi district around 35Kms from Thanjavur.

Shiva in this form is known by many names all of which bring out in meaning –  the death or end of Yama who is also called as Kaala. Kaalasamhara – slayer of death, Kaalantaka – one who ends death and Kaalakaala – death of death, are a few.