page_title: Mrikanda
section_title: In mythology and history
hierarchical_section_title: Mrikanda / In mythology and history
caption_attribution_description: English: From the source, Illustrations of Siva rescuing Markandeya from Dasavatara Cave, Cave XV, at Ellora from James Burgess' 'Original Drawings [of] Elura Cave Temples Buddhist and Brahmanical.' The spectacular site of Ellora, in Maharashtra, is famous for its series of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain cave temples excavated into the rocky façade of a cliff of basalt. The works were done under the patronage of the Kalachuri, the Chalukya and the Rashtrakuta dynasties between the sixth and the ninth centuries. The Dashavatara Cave was started as a Buddhist monastery, but in the eight century was converted into a Hindu sanctuary under the patronage of the Rashtrakuta king Dantidurga (r.c.730-55). It consists of an open court with a free-standing monolithic mandapa in the middle and a two-storeyed hall at the back, the original Buddhist monastery, the walls of which are covered with reliefs illustrating Hindu mythology. The columns are decorated with elaborate pot and foliage motifs carved on the shafts. Inscribed: 'From the Das Avatra Elura'
context_page_description: 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.
context_section_description: 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.
  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.
  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). 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.
caption: Shiva is depicted rescuing the teenage son of Mrikanda.
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