Text-07-11
SB 12.8.7-11
prapta-dvijati-samskaro
markandeyah pituh kramat
chandamsy adhitya dharmena
tapah-svadhyaya-samyutah
brhad-vrata-dharah santo
jatilo valkalambarah
bibhrat kamandalum dandam
upavitam sa-mekhalam
krsnajinam saksa-sutram
kusams ca niyamarddhaye
agny-arka-guru-vipratmasv
arcayan sandhyayor harim
sayam pratah sa gurave
bhaiksyam ahrtya vag-yatah
bubhuje gurv-anujñatah
sakrn no ced upositah
evam tapah-svadhyaya-paro
varsanam ayutayutam
aradhayan hrsikesam
jigye mrtyum su-durjayam
Translation:
After being purified by his father’s performance of the prescribed rituals leading to Markandeya’s brahminical initiation, Markandeya studied the Vedic hymns and strictly observed the regulative principles. He became advanced in austerity and Vedic knowledge and remained a lifelong celibate. Appearing most peaceful with his matted hair and his clothing made of bark, he furthered his spiritual progress by carrying the mendicant’s waterpot, staff, sacred thread, brahmacari belt, black deerskin, lotus-seed prayer beads and bundles of kusa grass. At the sacred junctures of the day he regularly worshiped the Supreme Personality of Godhead in five forms — the sacrificial fire, the sun, his spiritual master, the brahmanas and the Supersoul within his heart. Morning and evening he would go out begging, and upon returning he would present all the food he had collected to his spiritual master. Only when his spiritual master invited him would he silently take his one meal of the day; otherwise he would fast. Thus devoted to austerity and Vedic study, Markandeya Rsi worshiped the supreme master of the senses, the Personality of Godhead, for countless millions of years, and in this way he conquered unconquerable death.