“ To those who surrender with love and purity, I stand between them and death.” — Lord Shiva In the rich spiritual lore of Sanatana Dharma, few stories shine as brightly as that of Markandeya , a boy blessed by fate, bound by time, yet liberated by love. His tale is a living reminder that sincere devotion can transcend even death itself. The Birth of a Miracle Long ago, in the kingdom of Sage Mrikandu , there lived a couple who were devout devotees of Lord Shiva but remained childless for many years. After deep penance, Shiva appeared before them and offered a choice: “ Do you wish for a foolish son who will live a long life, or a wise son who will live only for sixteen years?” Without hesitation, they chose the second. And so, Markandeya was born radiant, intelligent, and immersed in divine thought even as a child. From a very young age, Markandeya was drawn to Lord Shiva. He spent his days reciting the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra , offering flowers to the Lingam, an...