The Markandeya Purana (Study)
by Chandamita Bhattacharya | 2021 | 67,501 words
This page relates ‘Life of a Yogin’ of the study on the Markandeya Purana, one of the oldest of the eigtheen Mahapuranas preserving the history, civilisation, culture and traditions of ancient India. The Markandeyapurana commences with the questions raised by Rishi Jaimini (a pupil of Vyasa), who approaches the sage Markandeya with doubts related to the Mahabharata. This study examines various social topics such as the status of women, modes of worship, yoga, etc.
5. Life of a Yogin
Respect and disrespect, these two things cause pleasure and pain. The cause of the opposite feelings is pain and pleasure respectively to the Yogin.[1] The Yogin places his food after examining the ground with his eyes and drinks water after it it cleansed by peace of cloth, speaks word purified by the truth.[2] He is expected not to become a guest, nor to attend śrāddhas, sacrifices to the gods, or festival nor to visit the great men for getting any advantage. Also he has to control speech, action and mind.[3] The Yogins are said to have obtained unity with the supreme Brahman ultimately.
The Markaṇḍeyapurāṇa prescribes some rules for taking food. At first he should take a sip of water. Then he should offer oblations to the five vital airs viz; prāṇa, apāna, samāna, udāna and vyāna. Then he should eat and finish his food he should touch his heart. Multiplicity is considered as a hindrance to Yoga that affects one’s objectivity. Hence the Yogin must devote himself only to the essential knowledge.[4]
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
[2]:
cakṣuḥpūtaṃ nyasetpādaṃ vastupūtaṃ jalaṃ pibet /
satyapūtāṃ vadedvāṇīṃ bhuddhipūtaṃ ca cintayet // Ibid., 38.4
[3]:
Ibid., 38.20-23
[4]:
prāṇāyāmaiḥ pṛthakkṛtvāśeṣaṃ bhunjīta kāmataḥ /
apaḥ punaḥ sakṛtprāśya ācamya hṛdayaṃ spṛśet // Mārkaṇḍeyapurāṇa, 38.15