[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975) › c8.645 # Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.645 Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c8.645 - **Language:** English ### [c8.645](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.645) 3) Penance of Mārkaṇḍeya. The Purāṇas state that after getting the blessing from Śiva, Mārkaṇḍeya lived for ten crores of years. While he was in deep meditation six Manvantaras passed away. When Mārkaṇḍeya continued his meditation to the seventh Manvantara Indra got frightened and he made an attempt to abort the penance of Mārkaṇḍeya. Indra sent his troops of Gandharvas, nymphs, Manmatha and Vasanta to the āśrama of Mārkaṇḍeya. The āśrama of Mārkaṇḍeya was at a place which was on the northern side of the Himālayas and was famous by the presence there of the river Puṣpabhadrā and the rock Citra. The agents of Indra came there and tried to entice him with many temptations. Beautiful celestial maidens danced around the āśrama. Flowers fell from their hair when their waists shook by the weight of their heavy breasts. Enchanting girls played with balls here and there. As they played the bracelets on their waists fell down and the thin garments that hid their bodies flew up showing an alluring nakedness. Kāma (God of Love) sent his arrows at that time against the sage. But Mārkaṇḍeya sat unconcerned as rigid as a rock and Indra accepted defeat. When Indra and his troops returned disappointed Mahāviṣṇu with many sages went to Mārkaṇḍeya. He awoke from his meditation and worshipped Viṣṇu. - [Previous: c8.644](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.644) - [Next: c8.646](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.646) - [Up: c8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.645](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.mani-1975.c8.645) · Pramāṇa