Mention a few stories.
Krishna
The story of Markandeya’s birth and immortality: Markandeya was born to a sage named Mrikanda and his wife Manasvini, who had prayed to Shiva for a son. Shiva granted them a choice: either a virtuous son who would live only for sixteen years, or a wicked son who would live for a hundred years. They chose the former, and named him Markandeya. Markandeya grew up to be a devout worshipper of Shiva, and learned the Vedas and the Shastras. When he was about to turn sixteen, he learned from his parents about his fate. He decided to spend his last days in meditation on Shiva. On the day of his death, Yama, the god of death, came to take his soul. But Markandeya clung to a Shiva linga, and Yama could not touch him. Shiva appeared and kicked Yama away, saving Markandeya from death. He blessed Markandeya with immortality and eternal youth, and made him his devotee.
The story of Markandeya’s vision of the cosmic deluge: Markandeya was once meditating on Shiva in a forest, when he saw a huge flood that submerged the whole world. He saw Vishnu sleeping on a serpent in the ocean, holding all beings in his dream. He saw a banyan leaf floating on the water, and a child lying on it, sucking his toe. The child was Vishnu himself, in his form as Vamana, the dwarf avatar. Markandeya was curious and entered the child’s mouth. There he saw the entire universe, with all its worlds and beings. He also saw himself meditating on Shiva in the forest. He realized that he had entered Vishnu’s dream, and that Vishnu was the source of all creation. He came out of the child’s mouth, and bowed to him. The child smiled and blessed him with divine knowledge. He told him that he had witnessed the end of a kalpa, or a cycle of four yugas, and that he would create a new world soon. He also told him that he and Shiva were one and the same, and that Markandeya was his beloved devotee.
The story of Devi Mahatmya: Devi Mahatmya is the most famous part of the Markandeya Purana, which narrates the glory of the Goddess and her victory over various demons. It consists of three episodes: the slaying of Madhu and Kaitabha by Vishnu’s power as Yogamaya; the slaying of Mahishasura by Durga; and the slaying of Shumbha and Nishumbha by Kali and other forms of the Goddess. The Devi Mahatmya is a hymn of praise to the Goddess as the supreme power and creator of the universe. It also describes her various forms, names, attributes and manifestations. It is recited by devotees as a source of protection, blessing and liberation. The Devi Mahatmya is considered as one of the most important texts of Shaktism, and as a scripture of universal significance.
Krishna
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