The Markandeya Purana (Study)
by Chandamita Bhattacharya | 2021 | 67,501 words
This page relates ‘The Story of Yoganidra and Birth of Mahamaya’ of the study on the Markandeya Purana, one of the oldest of the eigtheen Mahapuranas preserving the history, civilisation, culture and traditions of ancient India. The Markandeyapurana commences with the questions raised by Rishi Jaimini (a pupil of Vyasa), who approaches the sage Markandeya with doubts related to the Mahabharata. This study examines various social topics such as the status of women, modes of worship, yoga, etc.
1. The Story of Yoganidrā and Birth of Mahāmāyā
After the dissolution of the world lord Viṣṇu resorted to take deep rest. The two terrible demons, Madhu and Kaitabha, appeared from Viṣṇu’s ear wax sought to kill Brahmā, stationed on the navel lotus of lord Viṣṇu. Then Brahmā offered prayer to the Goddess in order to get Viṣṇu awakened from his yoganidrā and slayed these two demons with her exalted powers.[1] Gratified at lord Brahmā’s prayer, lord Viṣṇu casted Mahāmāyā for the demons’ death. After that, lord Viṣṇu slayed those demons and saved Brahmā from those demons. Thus Mahāmāyā was born after praising lord Brahmā.[2]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Ibid., 78.49-51
[2]:
Ibid., 78.68-78