Mrikanda

Mrikanda
Mrikanda
Spouse(s)	Marudmati
Children	Markandeya

Mrikanda is a folk hero of the Koshte, a caste of Indian weavers. According to the legend, he was the first to weave cloth from lotus plant fibers, and was granted many boons by the gods as a result of his great skill.[1]

In mythology and history

Mrikanda was the descendant of daughter of Daksha (son of the Hindu god Brahma), who married a rishi and bore him two sons. Mrikanda—the elder of the two sons—had a son, the renowned sage Markandeya.[2]

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 so lived. According to modern Koshte folklore if a tiger is encountered in the jungle it is enough only to speak Mrikanda's name allowed to prevent being attacked. Mrikanda is still seen as a watchful and protective figure in mythology.

Shiva is depicted rescuing the teenage son of Mrikanda.

In addition to being the father of modern weaving, he is also venerated as the biological ancestor of the great sage Markandeya, the rishi (sage) who is featured extensively in the Markandeya Purana (meditations on ancient myth, legend, and lore).[3][4] According to the legends, 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.

Sources

Graham Seal; Kim Kennedy White (14 March 2016). Folk Heroes and Heroines around the World, 2nd Edition. ABC-CLIO. pp. 169–. ISBN 978-1-4408-3861-3.
The Vishnu Purana a System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition Translated from the Original Sanskrit, and Illustrated by Notes Derived Chiefly from Other Puranas by the Late H.H. Wilson: 1. Trubner. 1864. pp. 152–.
A. L. Dallapiccola (November 2003). Hindu Myths. University of Texas Press. pp. 15–. ISBN 978-0-292-70233-2.
John Dowson (1888). A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature. Trübner & Company. pp. 203–.

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[SealWhite2016-1] Graham Seal; Kim Kennedy White (14 March 2016). Folk Heroes and Heroines around the World, 2nd Edition. ABC-CLIO. pp. 169–. ISBN 978-1-4408-3861-3.

[2] The Vishnu Purana a System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition Translated from the Original Sanskrit, and Illustrated by Notes Derived Chiefly from Other Puranas by the Late H.H. Wilson: 1. Trubner. 1864. pp. 152–.

[Dallapiccola2003-3] A. L. Dallapiccola (November 2003). Hindu Myths. University of Texas Press. pp. 15–. ISBN 978-0-292-70233-2.

[Dowson1888-4] John Dowson (1888). A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature. Trübner & Company. pp. 203–.