Mrikanda

Mrikanda (Sanskrit: मृकण्ड, romanized: Mṛkaṇḍa) is a sage in Hindu mythology. He is the husband of Manasvini^[1] and the father of Markandeya.^[2]

Mrikanda
Texts	Puranas
Genealogy
Parents	Vidhatri (father), Niyati (mother)
Spouse	Manasvini
Children	Markandeya

Legend

In the Vishnu Purana, Mrikanda is described as the son of Vidhatri, a son of Bhrigu and Khyati, and Niyati, one of the two daughters of Meru.^[3] Mrikanda becomes the father of the sage Markandeya.^[4] The Markandeya Purana names Manasvini as Mrikanda's wife.^[5]

Mrikanda is venerated as the founder of weaving, and as a result of the gods' gratitude he was granted two boons--a tiger and a giant. The giant disobeyed Mrikandaʻs orders and was summarily slain, but the tiger was obedient, and thus lived. According to modern Koshta folklore, if a tiger is encountered in the jungle it is enough only to speak Mrikanda's name to prevent oneself from being attacked by it. Mrikanda is still seen as a watchful and protective figure in folklore.^[6]

In addition to being the father of modern weaving, he is also venerated as the father of Markandeya, the rishi (sage) who is featured extensively in the Markandeya Purana.^[7][8] According to legend, Mrikanda and his wife Marudmati worshipped Shiva and sought from him the boon of begetting a son. As a result, he was given the choice of either a righteous son, but with a short life on earth or a child of low intelligence but with a long life. Mrikanda chose the former, and was blessed with Markandeya, an exemplary son, who was nevertheless destined to die at the age of 16.^{[citation needed]}