Markandeya’s Vision of Maya

Chapter 9, 10

Seeing Markandeya’s impeccable spiritual character and hearing his beautiful prayers, the Lord was ready to benedict him as he desired. Markandeya considered the audience of the Lord to be the highest benediction. That said, he was still intrigued by the Lord’s illusory potency (maya) which orchestrates the movements of the entire creation. Understanding his desire, the Lord agreed to grant him a vision of maya.

One day, a great storm suddenly appeared, bringing gushing winds, deafening thunderbolts and torrents of rain. The waters of devastation violently appeared and flooded the three worlds! After the deluge, Markandeya Rishi wandered amongst the carnage, hungry and thirsty, feeling increasingly exhausted with every step. Millions of years passed in this torturous condition, being attacked by the elements, until the Rishi spotted a blossoming banyan tree with fruits. On a leaf of that tree was a beautiful, effulgent boy sucking on His toe. As the Rishi inched forward for closer examination, he was sucked into that boy’s body!

Inside the body, Markandeya Rishi saw the universe exactly as it had been before annihilation. Within a moment, however, the vision was interrupted and he was thrust outside again. When the Rishi went to embrace the Lord, the charming boy disappeared, as did the waters of annihilation, and he found himself back in his hermitage exactly as before. Markandeya Rishi had now experienced the incredible power of the Lord’s illusory potency.

Later, whilst travelling through the universe, Siva saw Markandeya in trance and was impressed. He entered the heart of Markandeya Rishi, who subsequently saw Siva in his meditation. When Markandeya Rishi opened his eyes, he saw Lord Siva right in front of him and offered his respectful homage. In great appreciation, Siva offered him a series of unique benedictions to aid him in his spiritual ascent.