Long ago, there lived a sage named Mrikandu and his wife Marudvati who were staunch devotees of Lord Siva. Even after long years of wait, the sage couple could not beget a child. "Hey! Natha, there is no meaning for our life without children", said Marudvati to her husband in a disappointed voice. "Dear, I think Lord Siva is not yet pleased with our prayers", replied sage Mrikandu. The disappointed sage couple decided to perform hard penance to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva for having children. After several years of penance in the deep forests, finally one fine day Lord Siva was pleased with their determination, descended on to Earth and appeared in front of the sage couple. "Bhakta! I'm pleased with you both", the sage couple who were in deep penance heard these words. They slowly opened their eyes and shouted with joy, "Hara Hara Mahadeva! Sambho Shankara!". The sage couple were much rejoiced to see Lord Siva in front of them and prostrated before Him. Lord Shiva was much pleased with their devotion. "My dear child! tell me your wish", said Lord Siva in a hollow voice. "Shankara! you are omniscient. You know what we are longing for", replied sage Mrikandu. "Well! you are longing for a child. But tell me what type of a child you want?" questioned Shankara.The sage couple were puzzled with such a strange question and asked, "What do you mean Mahadev?" "Do you want a gifted child who will live only for 16 years or a dullard who will have a long life?", asked Lord Siva. On hearing these words of Shankara, the sage couple were in confusion. For a while they thought this could be yet another test for their patience. After a while Marudvati spoke to Lord Siva, "Eeswara, we wish to have a gifted child, be it short-lived. A gifted child forever will live in our hearts". The sage couple once again prostrated before Lord Shiva who was pleased with their wise decision. He blessed the couple and disappeared. After an year Marudvati gave birth to a boy and the couple named him Markandeya. As the child grew up, he was initiated to learn Vedas. As he was a gifted child, he could easily master Vedas and Upanishads. He was an obedient child with great respect for his parents. From his childhood, Markandeya too became a great devotee of Lord Shiva. As the years were rolling on and the time was passing out, the sage couple started becoming gloomy and sad. Seeing the gloomy look on his parent's face, Markandeya questioned, "Mata, Pitah. Why are you looking so sad ? Have I done anything wrong or did I disobey your words at any time?" Hearing such sweet words of their son, the couple broke down into tears. "Oh no! dear child. In fact, we are proud to have a son like you but......", said Mrikandu with a sad voice.