As we read about seven personalities who are immortal according to our Hindu scripture. Some believe there are seven immortal personalities and some believe there are eight. The immortal shloka also mentions there are eight immortal personalities. The immortal shloka reads like this –
अश्वत्थामा बलिव्र्यासो हनूमांश्च विभीषण:। कृप: परशुरामश्च सप्तएतै चिरजीविन:॥ सप्तैतान् संस्मरेन्नित्यं मार्कण्डेयमथाष्टमम्। जीवेद्वर्षशतं सोपि सर्वव्याधिविवर्जित॥Ashwathaama Balirvyaaso Hanumanshcha VibheeshanahaKrupaha Parshuramascha Saptaitey Chiranjivinaha Saptaitaan Samsmareynnityam Markandeymathaashtamam Jivedvarshshatam Sopi Sarvavyadhivivarjit
Now let’s read about how Sage Markandeya was blessed with immorality. Sage Markandeya was born in Bhrigu Rishi clan. His father was Mrikandu Rishi and mother was Madhumati. After worshipping Lord Shiva for a long time for a son, Lord Shiva provided them with two options either a brave son with short life span or a son with low intelligence and long life. Mrikandu Rishi wanted a brave and intelligent son with short life span. Lord Shiva gave them sage Markandeya as a son whose age was just upto 16 years old on earth.
So here is the incident how Sage Markandeya became immortal. As Markandeya grew up he became a great devotee of Lord Shiva. When it was the last day of Markandeya on this earth he was worshipping Lord Shiva. The God of death Yamaraja was unable to take Markandeya’s life in many attempts so Yamaraja came in personal for this work. Yamaraja sprung his noose on the neck of Markandeya but accidentally or may be by fate the noose landed on the Shivalingam which was being worshipped by Markandeya. Lord Shiva came out from the Shivalingam with anger and defeated Yamaraja in the fight. And after that Lord Shiva revived Yamaraja and put a condition that Sage Markandeya should live forever. By this act of Lord Shiva, he is also known an Kalantaka (one who ends the death). It is believed that this incident took place in Kurukshetra district near Markand river where an ancient temple named Markandeshwar Mahadev temple is built.