The Markandeya Purana (Study)

by Chandamita Bhattacharya | 2021 | 67,501 words

Hinduism Purana

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Summary: This essay studies the Markandeya Purana, one of the oldest of the eigtheen Mahapuranas. It commences with the questions raised by Rishi Jaimini (a pupil of Vyasa), who approaches the sage Markandeya with doubts related to the Mahabharata. The Markandeyapurana contains a wealth of information regarding the history, civilisation, culture and traditions of ancient India. This study examines various social topics such as the status of women, food habit, modes of worship, the practice of yoga, etc.

Source 1: exoticindiaart.com
Source 2: shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the The Markandeya Purana (Study) in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

+ Chapter 1

. 1.1: Introduction to the Purāṇa Literature

. 1.2: The Meaning and Definition of Purāṇa

. 1.3: Characteristics of Purāṇa

. 1.4: Date of the Purāṇas

. 1.5: Divisions of the Purāṇas

. 1.6: Number of Purāṇa

. 1.7: Importance of the Purāṇas

. 1.8: An Introduction of the Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa

. 1.9: The Authorship of the Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa

. 1.10: Date of the Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa

. 1.11: Importance of the Mārkaṇḍeya-purāṇa

. 1.12: Aims and Objectives of the Study

. 1.13: Review of Literature

. 1.14-15: Scope of the Study and Methodology

+ Chapter 2

. Socio-Cultural aspects reflected in the Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa (Introduction)

. Varṇāśrama-dharma (Introduction)

. Division of Varṇa (a): The Brāhmaṇas

. Division of Varṇa (b): The Kṣatriyas

. Division of Varṇa (c): The Vaiśyas

. Division of Varṇa (D): The Śūdras

. Divisions of Āśrama (Introduction)

. Divisions of Āśrama (a): Brahmacarya

. Divisions of Āśrama (b): Gārhasthya

. Divisions of Āśrama (c): Vānaprastha

. Divisions of Āśrama (d): Nyāsin or Sannyāsin

. Marriage System (Introduction)

. Forms of Marriage

. Marriage (a): Monogamy

. Marriage (b): Polygamy

. Marriage (c): Polyandry

. Svayaṃvara system of marriage

. Intercaste Marriage

. Required Qualifications for a Bride and a Bridegroom

. Family Structure (Introduction)

. Relation of Husband and Wife

. Family Relations

. Position of Women (Introduction)

. Role of Women as Wife

. Role of Woman as Mother

. Women as Daughter

. Women in the Field of Education

. Women in the Field of Yoga

. Women in Religious Activities

. Women as Satī

. Widow Remarriage

. Pativratā Wives

. Food and Drink (Introduction)

. Vegetarian Food

. Non-vegetarian food

. Edible Juices

. Wine (alcoholic drinks)

. Foods and Oṣadhīs Used in Sacrificess (Yajñiya)

. Used and Prohibited Food and Vegetables for Śrāddha Ceremony

. Proper Food for Yogins

. Food that are not to be Stolen

. Dress and Clothing

. Types of Ornaments

. Use of Cosmetics, Perfumes, Incense, etc.

. General Outfits

. Customs (Systems Followed By The Community)

. Serving a guest (atithi)

. Duties (Āhnika) or Moral obligation

. Common Beliefs

. Superstitions Related to New Born Babies

. Superstitions Related to Women

. Superstitions Related to House-holders

. Superstitions Related to Crops

. Superstitions Related to Home

+ Chapter 3

. Religion and Mythology (Introduction)

. Śakti Worship and Mythology (Introduction)

. Śakti Worship

. Śakti Mythology (Introduction)

. 1. The Story of Yoganidrā and Birth of Mahāmāyā

. 2. Killing of Mahisāura and Birth of Mahāmāyā

. 3. Birth of Ambikā / Kauśikī out of Pārvati’s body

. 4. Birth of Kālī from Ambikā’s Forehead

. 5. Origin of Caṇḍikā Śakti

. 6. Future Birth of Mahāmāyā

. 7. Description Devi’s Function

. Sun Worship and Mythology (Introduction)

. 1. The Birth of Sūrya (Mārtaṇḍa)

. 2. Description of Solar Family

. 3. Description of God Sūrya

. 4. Worship of Sūrya

. Worship of other Gods and the Mythology therein

. 1. Worship and Mythology of Dattātreya (Nārāyaṇa)

. 2. Worship and Mythology of Brahmā

. 3. Worship and Mythology of Agni

. 4. Worship and Mythology of Viṣṇu

. Worship of Indra

. Śrāddha ceremony (worship of ancestors)

. Worship of Śiva

. Rules and restrictions of Śrāddha

+ Chapter 4

. Philosophical aspects reflected in the Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa

. Śaktism (worship of Śakti as the female goddess)

. The philosophy of Vaiṣṇavism

. The philosophy of Yoga (Introduction)

. 1. The Basic Features of the Yoga

. 2. Various Processes of Yoga Practice

. 3. Yoga Practice and Its Specificities

. 4. Harmful Results of Neglecting Rules

. 5. Life of a Yogin

. 6. A Successful Yogin

. 7. The Sacred Syllable ‘OM’

. 8. Obstacles (upasarga) in the Path of Yoga

. 9. Outcome of Yoga Practice

. 10. Signs of Ill Omen (ariṣṭa)

Chapter 5: Conclusion

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Last Updated: 29 June, 2022

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