MARKANDEYA PURANA

Kamakoti.org presents the Essence of Markandeya Puarana in English, condensed by Sri. V.D.N.Rao, devotee of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam and Retired Official of the Government of India. Markandeya Purana is one of the major eighteen Puranas and is in the style of a dialogue between the sage Jaimini, and the sage Markandeya

This is the second in the series of Puranas being condensed by Sri. Rao, Shiva Purana being the first. Click here to access the Shiva Purana. The author can be contacted at raovdn@gmail.com

INDEX

PREFACE

Muni Durvasa’s curse to Apsara leads to the birth of Holy Birds

Jaimini’s doubts on ‘Mahabharata’ clarified by the Holy Birds

Why did Draupadi marry all the five Pandava brothers?

Why did Balarama atone for the sin of ‘Brahmahatya’during his pilgrimage?

Why were the defenceless sons of Draupadi killed in sleep?

King Harischandra, an exceptional example of Dharma (Virtue) and Satya (Truth)

Rivalry of Vasishtha and Viswamitra and their mutual curses to become birds

Evolution of human lives from birth to death and mystery thereafter!

Recyling of Further Human Life

Fruits of ‘Punya’ (Rewards of Virtue / Goodness)

Eligibility to achieve Salvation-Examples of Kaushiki and Anasuya as ‘Pativratas’

Dhruva-Kuvalaashva and Ashvatara –Examples of Devotion, Duty and Determination

Duties of a Model King as prescribed by Queen Madalasa

Varnashrama Dharma with emphasis on Brahmanas

Some significant Do’s and Don’ts as human responsibilty

Queen Madalasa confers Kingship to Alarka

King Alarka approaches Dattatreya for solace

Yogadhyaya (Study of Yoga), Yoga Siddhi (Achievement) and Yogicharya (Practice)

‘Airshtas’ (premonitions) of death

King Alarka transformed as a Yogi by Mahatma Dattatreya

Creation of the Universe and its Destruction

Time measurement, Life span of Brahma and his various Creations

Dussaha the intolerant and his notorious sons, daughters and grandchildren

Creation of Rudra, his wives and descendants of Manasa Putras

Outlines of Manvantaras, ‘Prithvi’ (Earth) and of ‘Sapta’ (Seven) Dwipas

Bharata Varsha, its Mountains, Rivers and Territories

Pravarakhya and Varudhini - Swarochi and Manorama- Swarochisha Manu

Swan couple inspires Swarochi’s renunciation and implications of Padma Vidya

Accounts of further Manus- Uttama, Tamasa, Daivata, Chakshusa, and Vaivasvatha

DEVI MAHATMYA- Maha Maya enables Vishnu to kill the Demon Brothers Madhu and Kaitabha

Maha Devi destroys Mahishasura and his clan (Gratitude Hymns to Devi included)

Shumbha and Nishumbha executed by Maha Devi -(‘Stotras’ of ‘Ya Sarva Bhuteshu’, ‘Sarva Mangala Maangalye’ and ‘Sarva Swarupey’ included)

Devi Mahatmya Phala Shruti

Future Manus-Daksha, Brahma, Dharma and Rudra Saavarnis

Pitra’s ‘Upadesha’ (Instruction) on ‘Garhasthya’ (Family Life) to Ruchi Muni (‘Pitru Stuthi’ included)

Bhouthya last Manu-Prayers by ‘Shanti’ to Agni Deva to rekindle ‘Nitya Agni’

Manvantara Phala Shruti

Surya Deva-Vedic Origin, Physical Birth, Wedding and Progeny

‘Surya Mahatmya’-An illustration of Rajyavardhana (Surya ‘Stuti’ included)

Some highlights of ‘Surya Vamsa’ Kings and their unrelenting virtues

Phala Shruti of Markandeya Purana

Shri Durga Sapta Shloki

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