Markandeya Purana: Structure and Main Sections Explained

 With the story the Adi and Baka, the first section of Markandeya Purana ends.

There is no fixed demarcation, but a logical one based on the contents.

Markandeya Purana can be roughly divided into five sections. These are

Section 1

Jaimini approached Markandeya to seek answers on four specific questions. Markandeya, in response, directed him to four Birds. These Birds were the offspring of Drona and the Apsara Vapu, the latter having been subjected to a transformation into a bird through a curse. Markandeya proceeded to recount the circumstances of the birth of the birds. He further told Jaimini that these Birds were, in a previous birth, four brahmins who had incurred a curse from their father for declining to offer themselves as food to a hungry bird. Jaimini consequently went to the Vindhya Mountains and consulted with the aforementioned Birds. They gave responses to his four questions. This prompted the Birds, at Jaimini's request, to provide a comprehensive account of King Harishchandra's tribulations. They further talked about the conflict that ensued thereafter between Vasishta and Vishvamitra, who fought in the form of gigantic birds.

Section 2

Jaimini proceeded to ask questions concerning the processes of conception, mortality and the ramifications of one's actions. The Birds answered this by talking about the teachings previously given by a brahmin named Sumati, also known as Jada, to his father. In accordance with Jada's discourse, the Birds described death, the states of existence subsequent to death, and accounts of various hells. Continuing, the Birds introduced the subject of yoga. They spoke about a brahmin, Mandavya, who was saved from a curse through the devotion of his wife. Anasuya, wife of Atri resolved the issue, when the devoted wife forbade the sun to rise. The gods blessed Anasuya, resulting in the births of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva as her three sons: Soma, Dattatreya, and Durvasa.

This story then spoke about Alarka, which served as a vehicle for conveying instruction on political, religious, and social matters. There they talked about Ritadhvaja and his friendship with two Naga princes. These princes informed their father how Ritadhvaja had helped the brahmin Galava and married the Gandharva princess Madalasa. They told about how a demon caused Madalasa's death. King Asvatara restored Madalasa to life. Ritadhvaja had four sons naming the youngest Alarka. Then there is description of political, religious and social doctrine given by Madalasa to Alarka, who became the king. Alarka initially indulged in pleasures but sought help from Dattatreya. Dattatreya spoke on the nature of the soul and religious devotion (yoga).

Section 3

Jaimini asked questions, which the Birds answered by repeating the instructions Markandeya had previously given to Kraustuki. This continues until the end of the Purana. Markandeya began describing the process of creation. he then detailed the creation of the Earth and all its contents, gods, demons, ancestors (pitrs), and humanity, specifying the positions assigned to each. Markandeya then described the various Manus and their respective periods, known as Manvantaras. Markandeya provided a description of the Earth and its continents, focusing particularly on Jambudvipa and Mount Meru. Markandeya then talked about the birth and history of the subsequent Manus. Continuing the accounts of the Manvantaras, Markandeya said that the Sun married Sanjna, the daughter of Tvasta, and had two sons, Vaivasvata and Yama. Sanjna left the Sun, leaving her Shadow behind, due to his excessive radiance. Tvasta subsequently reduced the Sun's brightness. The Sun eventually regained Sanjna. By the Shadow, he had a son, Savarni.

Section 4

The mention of Savarni led to the introduction of the Devi-mahatmya. Markandeya told how King Suratha met a merchant who had been expelled by his family. Both men consulted a sage regarding their longing for their homes and attachments. The sage attributed these feelings to the influence of the goddess Mahamaya (the Great Illusion). He then related an early instance of her power, describing how she enabled Vishnu to vanquish the demons Madhu and Kaitabha. The sage then proceeded to narrate the goddess's major exploit. The first major account details the fight with the demon Mahisa. The demons, under Mahisa's leadership, had defeated the gods. In response, the goddess was formed as Chandika (also known as Ambika) from the combined energies of the gods. She destroyed the demon chiefs and ultimately Mahisa himself. When the gods were again defeated by the demons Sumbha and Nisumbha, they invoked the goddess, and she appeared. Sumbha desired to marry her, but she declined. He then dispatched an army, which she destroyed. He sent another force led by Chanda and Munda; the goddess Kali destroyed them, and Chandika gave upon her the name Chamunda. Sumbha then sent all his remaining forces. Chandika killed the powerful demon Raktavija, then killed Nisumbha ,  numerous other demons, and finally defeated Sumbha himself. With the demons defeated, the gods regained their supremacy. After hearing this account, King Suratha worshipped the goddess Chandika. Pleased with his devotion, she promised him that he would become the eighth Manu, Savarni.

Section 5

Markandeya's discourse continued by mentioning the remaining future Manus beyond Savarni. He then spoke about the fourteenth and final Manu, Bhautya. At Kraustuki's request, Markandeya then began to relate genealogies. Markandeya told the story of King Rajyavardhana. Markandeya continued the genealogies by mentioning Manu Vaivasvata's seven sons and their lineages.

Conclusion

The Birds concluded their lengthy recitation of Markandeya's instructions to Kraustuki with high praise for the Puranas in general and this specific Purana in particular. Jaimini expressed his gratitude to the Birds for their comprehensive teachings.