Scholars like Gopinatha Rao, Shanti Lal Nagara, S K Ramachandra Rao and Vettam Mani state that the story of Shiva attacking Yama to save Markandeya has a Puranic origin. But, I detailly searched this story in Puranas. A version of Bhagavatha Purana (16.12.6) says Mahakala (Shiva) turned away the Kala (Yama) and saved Markandeya. Similarly, Shiva Purana (6.2.4) says the sage Markandeya got eternity by the boon of Shiva. Besides these mentions, no major Purana gives a detailed account of this incident.
On the other hand, the Tamil literary works, namely Thevaram hymns, severely mention Shiva saving Markandeya from Yama. I'm baffled about it. It would be helpful if anybody could help me find this myth's source.
The story of Shiva saving Markandeya from Yama is a popular one in Hindu mythology, and it appears in various forms in different texts. While it is true that the story is not detailed in most Puranas, it is possible that the story was transmitted through oral traditions and later incorporated into literary works.
It is interesting to note that the story of Shiva saving Markandeya from Yama is prominently featured in Tamil literature, particularly in the hymns of the Nayanars, a group of 63 Tamil saints who were devoted to Shiva. The hymns, collectively known as Thevaram, were composed between the 6th and 9th centuries CE, and they are considered to be an important part of Tamil cultural heritage.
In the Thevaram hymns, the story of Shiva saving Markandeya is described in detail, and it is often presented as a metaphor for the power of devotion and the triumph of good over evil. While it is not clear where the Nayanars got their version of the story, it is possible that they drew from oral traditions or from earlier Tamil literary works.
In summary, while the story of Shiva saving Markandeya from Yama is not detailed in most Puranas, it appears in various forms in different texts, including the Bhagavatha Purana and the Shiva Purana. The story is also prominently featured in Tamil literature, particularly in the Thevaram hymns of the Nayanars. The exact source of the story in Tamil literature is not clear, but it is possible that it was transmitted through oral traditions or earlier literary works.
Rashid Manzoor Bhat Thank you for clarifying the issue, sir. When I ask questions in academic communities, I often do not receive satisfactory answers; even when I do receive responses, they are not always convincing. I rarely receive proper guidance, and your observations are a prime example of this.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Biological Science
- Bioecology
- Systems Ecology
- Landscape Ecology
- Connectivity