The Markandeya Purana: An Introduction to Goddess Durga's Battles and More

The Markandeya Purana, like other Puranas, contains many topics. It is most widely known for a section called Devi Mahatmya (also known as the Durga Saptashati or Chandi Path). This section is the primary basis for the worship of Goddess Durga. This text talks about the various forms of the goddess and describes her battles with many demons. Out of these, the most prominent one is the killing of the buffalo demon Mahishasura.

The Devi Mahatmya can be divided into three parts, which are attributed to three goddesses - Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasarasvati. These three goddesses also represent the depictions of the Gunas. Mahakali is tamasic, Mahalakshmi is rajasic, and Mahasarasvati is sattvic. In the first part, she is described as Mahamaya, the great illusion, who puts Lord Vishnu to sleep. From the earwax in Vishnu's ears, two demons, Madhu and Kaitabha, emerge. They see Brahma and threaten to kill him. Brahma prays to Mahamaya, who leaves Vishnu, allowing him to awaken and kill the demons. The second part is about the killing of Mahishasura. The gods combine their energies to create Goddess Durga. Armed with weapons, Durga engages in a battle with Mahishasura and ultimately kills him. The third part is about the battles with demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. The Goddess, as Kali and Chandika and others, kills these demons.

While the Devi Mahatmya is probably the most popular part of the Markandeya Purana, the Purana offers a lot more than just that. The Purana is structured around sage Jaimini, a disciple of Vyasa. He approaches sage Markandeya with four complex questions from the Mahabharata. Unable to immediately answer, Markandeya directs Jaimini to four wise birds. These birds then become the primary narrators for the Purana.

A significant portion of the Purana describes the Manvantaras and the Manus. These sections detail the events, deities, and prominent figures of each age, providing a framework for understanding the vast timeline of Hindu cosmology. The Purana has many stories about various gods, goddesses (apart from Durga), and sages. For example, it talks about the birth of Dattatreya. Another example is the story of King Harishchandra. This text includes descriptions of the earth and its geography, which are discussed by Markandeya and his disciple Kraustuki.

There are many speakers in the Purana. While sage Markandeya, after whom the Purana is named, initially directs Jaimini to the birds, he himself becomes the main speaker and narrator in some parts of the Purana where he talks to his disciple Kraustuki. Sage Medhas is the speaker who narrates the Devi Mahatmya. This is repeated by Markandeya to Kraustuki. Another speaker is Sumati, also called Jada or the dumb one. He talks to his father, and this conversation is told by the birds to Jaimini.

The Markandeya Purana brings together a vast range of stories. Its many layers make it a fascinating text. In the upcoming posts, I will start talking about what is there in the Purana and tell its stories.