"Markendeya was allotted only a lifespan of sixteen years. The mother looked after him all those sweet sixteen years as the apple of her eye. The father protected him from all dangers from any quarter. The teacher took care of his education. But none of them had any control over his life span. The lad realised this truth. Hence he placed his reliance on God regarding his destiny.
A few days before he was to complete his sixteenth year, he went to the Siva temple and prayed: "Oh Lord! My parents have protected my body. The teacher looked after my education. But God alone can protect my life. Hence, make me one with you." Placing his head on the Siva linga, hugging the linga with both his arms, he declared: "Easwara! You are my sole refuge!" saying so he closed his eyes.
When the sixteen years were over, the Lord of Death arrived and cast his noose to take the life of Markendeya. The noose did not cover Markendeya alone. The Siva linga was also caught in the noose because Markendeya was embracing the linga. When the Lord of Death started drawing the noose, Siva emerged from the linga. Siva asked the Lord of Death: "How dare you cast your noose on the one who had become one with me and also cast me in the noose?" Siva chastised the Lord of Death saying that he would be entitled to take the life of Markendeya if he had been alone, but not when he had become one with Him. "No one is entitled to touch a person who has united himself with Me," said Siva.
Siva chastised Yama and protected Markendeya with immortality. With the grace of the Divine, Markandeya got the blessings of both his parents and preceptor.
Students should not only revere parents and teachers but also strive to earn God's grace."
~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(Divine Discourse - 23.1.1997)
When the sixteen years were over, the Lord of Death arrived and cast his noose to take the life of Markendeya. The noose did not cover Markendeya alone. The Siva linga was also caught in the noose because Markendeya was embracing the linga. When the Lord of Death started drawing the noose, Siva emerged from the linga. Siva asked the Lord of Death: "How dare you cast your noose on the one who had become one with me and also cast me in the noose?" Siva chastised the Lord of Death saying that he would be entitled to take the life of Markendeya if he had been alone, but not when he had become one with Him. "No one is entitled to touch a person who has united himself with Me," said Siva.
Siva chastised Yama and protected Markendeya with immortality. With the grace of the Divine, Markandeya got the blessings of both his parents and preceptor.
Students should not only revere parents and teachers but also strive to earn God's grace."
~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~
(Divine Discourse - 23.1.1997)
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