17. Markandeya Rishi and Nilachala Dham

Markandeya Rishi and Nilachala Dham:

There was once a rishi called Markandeya. He had received a boon that he would remain alive for seven kalpas (seven days of Brahma). At the end of a day of Brahma, devastation takes place. At that time the whole world was inundated by water. Everyone and everything dies in that devastation. But Markandeya rishi did not die. He floated in the devastation water. He suffered greatly, being tossed in the fierce waves. After a long time he reached a bank near Nilachala. He could see that the land was above the water level. There was a huge banyan tree standing on this track of land. He was surprised to hear some one calling him saying, "Markandeya! Do not be worried. Come near me." Markandeya was astonished. "Who is calling me? Where is this affectionate voice coming from?" Then Markandeya saw Lord Narayana and Laxmi Devi. He offered his obeisances and prayers to Lord Vishnu.

The Lord spoke to His devotee. "You do not know My tattva, and that is why you are suffering. Oh great sage, climb on top of this tree. There on top of a leaf you will see My childhood form. You may enter into His wide open mouth and stay there happily."

Markandeya was surprised to hear this. He climbed the tree and saw the childhood form of the Lord. The sage cautiously entered His mouth. He saw there the 14 planetary systems and all of the demigods including Brahmadeva, the Dikpalas, siddhas. gavandharvas, raksasyas, munis, devarsis, oceans, tirthas, rivers, mountains and forests. He saw Sesa naga with His thousands of hoods. He saw there whatever Brahmaji had created. He travelled deep inside the belly of the childhood form of the Lord. Finally the sage came out of the belly through His neck and met with Lord Narayana and Laxmi Devi again.

Upon seeing Markandeya Rsi Lord Vishnu said. "Markandeya, you should know for sure that this most wonderful place is My eternal dham. No creation or annihilation takes place here. No material bondage is found here. Whoever enters My abode, with the understanding that I am present here, will not have to take birth again in this material world."

"My dear Lord," the rishi said, bowing his head. "I desire to stay here. Please give Your blessings that I may take up residence in Your dham."

The Lord replied, "I will stay here until the end of the devastation. After that I will create for you one nice place where you can stay peacefully and worship My second form, Mahadeva. Thus by My mercy you can conquer death." After receiving this boon, Markandeya performed tapasya to please Lord Shiva, who is known as Markandeswar.



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