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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DIAGNOSTICS AND RESEARCH
Corresponding Author: Prof. Dr. Subhash Waghe
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Article Info: Article Received on : 21/02/2026 Article Reviewed on: 31/03/2026 Article Published on : 15/04/2026
Cite this article as: - Waghe, S. (2026). An Introduction To Charak Samhitokta Rishi Markandeya and Evaluation of His
Contribution To Ayurveda. International Journal of Diagnostics And Research, 3(3), 158–165.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19598029
Abstract
The reference of sage Markandeya apart from Ayurveda is found in Skanda Purana, Padma Purana,
Markandeya Purana, and Mahabharata. Maharishi Markandeya had got boon of longevity from lord Shiva.
Hence, he lived long. His presence is seen during the Ramayan as well as during Mahabharata period. He
had met the Ayodhya king lord Rama as well as the Hasteenapur king Yudhishthira. He guided lord Rama
about the ‘Shraddha Karma’ for his ancestors. When Maharishi Markandeya came to know about the
gloomy state of King Yudhishthira, he guided him about the pilgrimage to get rid of the sins which
Pandavas committed during Mahabharata war. He belonged to illustrious Bhrigu lineage. He participated in
the symposium on embryonic organogenesis organized by Kashi king Divodasa. Maharishi Markandeya is
also credited with the invention of medicinal preparation called ‘Pancha-nimba choorna’ along with
acharya Shaunaka. Maharishi Markandeya was present in the conclave of rishis conducted beneath the
mountains of Himalayas, some 5000 years ago. This not only shows his interest in the medical science but
also put him as the caring person for the sufferings of mankind. Hence, it becomes essential to explore the
life of sage Markandeya to know about his contribution to the Ayurveda.
.
Keywords – Markandeya, Pancha-nimba choorna
An Introduction To Charak Samhitokta Rishi Markandeya and Evaluation of
His Contribution To Ayurveda
Prof. Dr. Subhash Waghe
1
1
Dept. of Rog Nidan, SAM College of Ayurvedic Sciences, Raisen (MP) – 464 551
G
A
R
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Introduction :
Maharishi Markandeya belonged to illustrious
Bhrigu lineage. His father’s name was Mrukundu
and his mother’s name was Marudwati. He had a
son called Vedashira. In Markandeya Purana,
Maharishi Markandeya explained regarding the
evolution of the universe, evolution of Gods, sages
etc, what are Manvantaras, division of Kalpas,
situation of the Manvantarasa (time zones),
expansion of the earth, location of underwater
world Patala and different regions (lokas),
movement of stars and planets etc. He participated
in the symposium on embryonic organogenesis
organized by Kashi king Divodasa. Maharishi
Markandeya is also credited with the invention of
medicinal preparation called ‘Pancha-nimba
choorna’ along with acharya Shaunaka. Maharishi
Markandeya was present in the conclave of rishis
conducted beneath the mountains of Himalayas,
some 5000 years ago.
[1]
Material And Method :
Literary method of research is followed in this
article. All the available Ayurvedic and Indological
literature is explored to find the maximum
information about the sage Markandeya.
Review Of Literature :
Lineage of Markandeya Maharshi :
Lord Bramha’s one of the sons was Bhrigu. He
married to the daughter of Prajapati Daksha called
‘Khyati. Bhrigu from his wife Khyati, got 2 sons
naming Dhata and Vidhata and 1 daughter namely
Lakshmi. Dhata and Vidhata married to Aayati and
Niyati respectively who were the daughters of
mahatma Meru. From Niyati, Bhrigu’s other son
Vidhata got the son called ‘Mrukundu’. This
Mrukundu fathered a son called Markandeya. Thus,
Markandeya was great grandson of illustrious
Brahmarishi Bhrigu.
[2] [3]
Birth And Parenting of Markandeya Muni :
Mrukund muni was residing at Kashi (present day
Varanasi city). He was childless. Hence, he along
with his wife Marudwati started observing penance
to please the lord, Shiva. Pleased with their penance
lord Shiva, kept option before the couple either to
accept the learned, religious, famed son with only
16 year’s life or long-lived silly son. Duo accepted
the first offer and accordingly lord Shiva blessed
them. After some time Marudwati conceived.
Mrukund muni performed the pusanvahan
samskara in the first month and seemantonayan
samskara in 8
th
month of pregnancy. After the
delivery of the male child, Jatakarma samskara
was performed by the Veda Vyasa. Assembly of
rishis was gathered to greet the newborn baby. All
of them blessed the baby while suggesting the
Rakshavidhan (measures of child protection)
Nishkraman samskara was done in the 4
th
month in
which baby was taken out of the city to a temple.
Annaprashan samsakara was done in the 6
th
month
of age wherein semisolid food is given to the baby.
When the baby was two and half years old,
Chudakarma samskara was done in which the scalp
hairs were cut. Soon after that Karnavedhan
samskara was done in which ears were pierced to
enhance the immunity. When the Markandeya was
5 years old, his Veadarambha and Vidyadhyan
samskara was done to institute the formal
education of Vedas and its branches (upangas).
Markandeya completed his education and become
well versed in all the branches of knowledge
system.
[ 4 ]
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Markandeya Getting Aware About His Short
Life Span :
After completing education, Markandeya muni
came back home and started serving the parents
very honestly as like noble son. But still, his
parents were unhappy and uses to remain in
sorrowful condition. Seeing them sorrowful, he
asked them the reason. Accordingly, they told him
about the conditional boon granted by the lord
Shiva. And now as he attained the 16
th
year,
disaster may fall on him anytime. Hearing this,
young Markandeya reassured his parents saying
that he will please the lord shiva and will get boon
from him.
[ 5 ]
Markandeya Getting Boon From Lord Shiva :
After that Markandeya went to south and on the
sea, shore created the Shivalinga and started
worshipping it continuously. One day while he was
worshipping the Shivalinga, king of death tried to
took away his life but at the same time lord shiva
came out of the Shivalinga and kicked away the
death king Yamaraj and offered the endless life to
the Mrakandeya muni. After this incident,
Mrakandeya muni came back home and narrated
the whole incident to his parents. His parents
became much pleased on this accomplishment of
their son.
[ 6 ] [7]
The place of penance of Markandeya Maharashi is
said to be in the Sahyadri mountain from where the
river Tungabhadra and Netravathi flows. Whereas
river Netravathi joins Arabian sea, river
Tungabhadra joins river Krishna rat Sangameshwar
and empties in Bay of Bengal.
Marriage and Progeny of Markandeya :
After winning over the death, Maharishi
Markandeya went home. His parents greeted him
joyfully. Later Maharshi Markandeya married
ritually. He fathered a son called Vedashira. After
that he went to Varanasi and started observing the
long penance under the banyan tree (Akshay Vata).
[
8 ]
Guidance to Brahmarishi Vishwamitra :
When Bramharishi Vishwamitra was on penance in
the forest, crown prince of Ayodhya Satyavrata
alias Trishanku sheltered the family of sage
Vishwamitra. In between sage Vasishtha conspired
against king Trishanku and made him to leave the
capital. Trishanku then did low quality works
which were referred as ‘Chandal Karma’ during
that time. When Bramharishi Vishwamitra returned
from the penance and came to know about the care
of his family taken by Trishanku, to remain
grateful, he decided to restore the pride of
Trishanku. First to get rid of the sins committed by
Trishanku, sage Vishwamitra took him to the
various places of worship (teertas) throughout the
world. But could not make Trishanku pure. Hence,
he decided to leave the earth. While returning from
the Achaleshwar temple on the mountain Arbuda
(Mount Abu in present day Rajasthan), he met with
Maharshi Markandeya and told him his decision.
Knowing this, Maharshi Markandeya guided sage
Vishwamitra to go to the Anarta Pradesh (area near
Khambhat gulf in present day Gujrat) where
Hatkeshwar Shivalinga is present. At that place
there is river called Patal Ganga which had come
from the Rasatala. Maharshi Markandeya told that
after bathing in that river, Trishanku would become
pure.
[9]
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Meeting With Lord Rama :
Rishi Markandeya built his hermitage at Pushkara.
Once lord Rama while on the way to forest, got
information from Atri muni about holy Pushkar
Teerta (hindu holy place at Rajasthan) and decided
to visit it to offer Pindadana (donation of food
bolus) to lost ancestors. When he reached there, he
met with Markandeya muni and got the information
about the Shraddha procedure. Accordingly, lord
Rama performed the Shraddha of his ancestors.
[10]
Meeting With Yudhishthira :
After the Mahabharata war, king Yudhishthira was
very much upset over the killings of his own
relatives and teachers. Knowing such condition of
king Yudhishthira, Maharshi Markandeya came at
Hasteenapur to console him and gave him an
advice to undertake a pilgrimage at Varanasai to
get the mental peace. Maharshi Markandeya
explained the importance of places of worship at
Varanasi to Yudhishthira in detail. He told to the
Yudhishthira that lord Shiva resides at Varanasi.
The river ganga at Varanasi clears all the sins.
[11]
[12]
Conversation With Kroshthuka :
Once Brahmin Kroushthuka asked various
questions to Maharashi Markandeya regarding the
evolution of the world and the universe, evolution
of Gods, sages etc, what are Manvantaras, division
of Kalpas, situation of the Manvantarasa,
expansion of the earth, location of underwater
world Patala and different regions (lokas),
movement of stars and planets etc. Maharshi
Markandeya replied very well to the queries of
Bramhin Kroushthuka.
[ 13]
Explaining the Places of Worship To
Yudhishthira :
Rewa Khanda of Skanda Purana is the
conversation between Maharshi Markandeya and
Yudhishthira. In this section Maharshi
Markandeya, narrated Yudhishthira about the
evolution of river ‘Narmada/Rewa’ on the earth and
fruits of worshipping and holy bath in it. He also
told him about the various places of worship
surrounding the river Narmada such as Kapila
Teertha, Bhrugu Teertha, Bhaskar Teertha, Varaha
Teertha, Ganjal Teertha, Kalhanseshwar Teertha,
Maheshwar Teertha, Amarkantak Teertha,
Matanga Teertha, Ashok Vanika Teertha, Meghnad
Teertha, Karnajeshwar Teertha, Dhanad Teertha,
Gautameshwar Teertha. In this section, Maharshi
Markandeya also told the story of kartaveerya
Arjun, Parshuram, Vishwamitra to the
Yudhishthira. He also the stories of kings like
Mandhata, Banasura, Vasudana and
Ravishchandra.
[ 14]
Contribution To Ayurveda Participation in
Ayurvedic Symposium :
As per Sushrut Samhita, sage Markandeya had
participated in the debate with acharya Kashiraj
Dhanwantari and others regarding organogenesis in
foetus. Maharshi Markandeya was of the view that
during embryonic organogenesis, first hands and
feet gets evolved.
[15]
Medicinal Preparation – Pancha-nimbadi
Choorna :
Acharya Nischalkara in his commentary
Ratnaprabha on Chakradutta, mentioned the
medicinal formulation called ‘Panchanimba
Choorna’ given by acharya Markandeya and
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Bhadra Shaunaka for the treatment of Kushtha
(skin diseases).
[16]
Intera-uterine Foetal Development As Per
Markandeya :
The sperm ejaculated during intercourse unite with
the ovum to form the zygote. Then this zygote goes
through the transformation in shapes from Kalala
(Semisolid jelly), Budbud (like cluster of Bubbles),
Peshi (Flesh like). As like the embryo sprout from
the seed, the rest of the organs like fingers, legs,
eyes, nose, ears, mouth, skin, nails, hairs sprout
from this embryo. The embryo grows as foetus in a
sac and get nutrition from the mother through
umbilical cord.
Foetal Position In Womb As Per Markandeya
Purana :
As like coconut, the foetus stays upside down
(Occipito anterior) in the intrauterine life and
grows. It’s both thighs and knees lie together and
hands stays inside the thighs and knees. Thumb is
upward and fingers stay in front of the thighs. Eyes
remain on the knee joint and nose in the middle of
the thighs. Both arms are adjacent to the lateral of
the thighs. Staying in this position, foetus grows in
intrauterine life. Foetus gets nutrition from mother
though umbilical cord.
[ 17]
Maharishi Markandeya was present in the famous
conference that held almost 5000 years ago beneath
the mountain Himalaya in which sages discussed
about the diseases in society. In this conference, all
the sages unanimously selected sage Bharadwaja as
their leader to bring Ayurveda from the God king
Indra. After bringing the knowledge of Ayurveda
from the Indra, sage Bhardwaja taught it to all the
Rishis and Munis present in the first conference as
mentioned by acharya Charaka. Hence, it is likely
that as like other rishis, sage Markandeya may have
created his own treatise on Ayurveda which is not
available today.
Observation :
Maharishi Markandeya in nutshell
1
Originator
Brahma
2
Great grand
father + mother
Bhrigu + Khyati
3
Grand Father +
Grand mother
Vidhata + Niyati
4
Father + Mother
Mrukundu +
Marudwati
5
Son
Vedashira
6
Lineage
Bhrigu Vansha
7
Boon from
Lord Mahadeva
8
Contemporary
sages
Vishwamitra,
Vasishtha, Agasti
9
Contemporary
Ramayan king
Trishanku &
Rama
10
Contemporary
Mahabharat king
Yudhishthira
11
Ayurvedic
contribution
Pancha-nimba
Choorna
Intrauterine foetal
development
Participation in
Ayurvedic
symposium
Discussion :
Maharishi Markandeya had got boon of longevity
from lord Shiva. Hence, he lived long. His presence
is seen during the Ramayan as well as during
Mahabharta period. He had met the Ayodhya king
lord Rama as well as the Hasteenapur king
Yudhishthira. He guided lord Rama about the
‘Shraddha Karma’ for his ancestors. When
Maharishi Markandeya came to know about the
gloomy state of King Yudhishthira, he guided him
about the pilgrimage to get rid of the sins which
Pandavas committed during Mahabharata war. He
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belonged to illustrious Bhrigu lineage. Even when
his short life was predicted my many, he did not
give up but kept on exploring the ways to get rid of
the fate. He relieved the anxiety of his short life by
devotion to lord Shiva. He also participated in the
symposium on embryonic organogenesis organized
by Kashiraj Divodasa. Maharishi Markandeya is
also credited with the invention of medicinal
preparation called ‘Pancha-nimba coorna’ along
with acharya Shaunaka.
Conclusion :
Maharishi Markandeya was not only present in the
famous conference that held almost 5000 years ago
beneath the mountain Himalaya in which sages
discussed about the diseases in society but also
participated in the symposium on embryonic
organogenesis organized by Kashiraj Divodasa.
Maharishi Markandeya is also credited with the
invention of medicinal preparation called ‘Pancha-
nimba coorna’ along with acharya Shaunaka.
Maharishi Markandeya had also given the vivid
description of intrauterine foetal growth. Maharishi
Markandeya learnt Ayurveda from Maharishi
Bhardwaja and in turn may have created his own
treatise called ‘Markandeya Samhita’ which is
unavailable today.
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Declaration :
Conflict of Interest : None
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ISSN: 2584-2757
DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19598029
Dr. Subhash Waghe
Inter. J.Digno. and Research
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