BHAGAWATHAM--12--Markandeya Puranam

Maharshi Markandeya in the Mayalokam

Balam Mukundam Manasa Smarami
Maharaja Parikshit listened to the Bhagawat Katha by Sukadeva with rapt attention and heard the Vaikuntaarohanam of Bhagawan Sree Krishna. And was waiting for the Thakshaka (the Sanke) to come and bite him as it was the seventh day. Sure Thakshaka did come, but before it could bite Parikshit, he had attained the Moksham as all the shrothas of Bhagawatham are likely to get liberated from this world.
Once Muni Mrikantu,as a boon for his rigorous penance, got a son and named him Markandeya. But he was worried to know that Markandeya had only 12 years of life as per his grahas. But Markandeya did Shiva Pooja and at the end of twelve years when he was followed by the Yama Raja he went to the Shiva Lingam and surrendered to Him. Siva saved the boy from the Yamaraja and gave the boon that Markandeya will always be of 12 years only. This gave him the Amaratwa. And Lord Siva got the name of MRITYUNJAYA.

Markandeya then became an ardent Bhaktha of Sree Krishna . Lord Krishna was pleased with Muni Markandeya's Tapas and appeared before him as Nara Narayana. And tried to please the Muni with lots of boons. But Muni was not to be lured at all and when Krishna asked him what he wanted then Markandeya wished that he would like to see the Maya Shakthi of the Lord. Then there came the heavy rains and thunders and the whole world was under the Pralaya Jalam and then Markandeya was alone swimming on this Pralaya Jalam for many many years. Then one day he saw the small infant Krishna on the banyan leaf sucking His toe and the Muni wanted to touch the Bhagawan.....Balam Mukundam Manasa Smarami.But when he reached near the boy, Muni went into Bhagawan's stomach and saw the whole of Universe functioning there, and before he could see the whole scene, he was out of Krishna's body. And at once the whole scenery of Balakrishna floating on the leaf disappeared and Muni found himself where he was before the illusion of Pralaya. And he knew that Krishna had given him the wish of the sight of His Maya Shakthi.