Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 9
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Tested by Indra and Blessed by Nara-Nārāyaṇa
प्राप्तद्विजातिसंस्कारो मार्कण्डेय: पितु: क्रमात् । छन्दांस्यधीत्य धर्मेण तप:स्वाध्यायसंयुत: ॥ ७ ॥ बृहद्व्रतधर: शान्तो जटिलो वल्कलाम्बर: । बिभ्रत् कमण्डलुं दण्डमुपवीतं समेखलम् ॥ ८ ॥ कृष्णाजिनं साक्षसूत्रं कुशांश्च नियमर्द्धये । अग्न्यर्कगुरुविप्रात्मस्वर्चयन् सन्ध्ययोर्हरिम् ॥ ९ ॥ सायं प्रात: स गुरवे भैक्ष्यमाहृत्य वाग्यत: । बुभुजे गुर्वनुज्ञात: सकृन्नो चेदुपोषित: ॥ १० ॥ एवं तप:स्वाध्यायपरो वर्षाणामयुतायुतम् । आराधयन् हृषीकेशं जिग्ये मृत्युं सुदुर्जयम् ॥ ११ ॥
prāpta-dvijāti-saṁskāro mārkaṇḍeyaḥ pituḥ kramāt chandāṁsy adhītya dharmeṇa tapaḥ-svādhyāya-saṁyutaḥ
Purified by the prescribed dvijāti rites performed by his father, Mārkaṇḍeya studied the Vedic hymns and strictly followed dharma’s disciplines. He advanced in austerity and sacred study, remaining a lifelong brahmacārī. Peaceful, with matted locks and bark garments, he carried the mendicant’s waterpot and staff, the sacred thread and brahmacārī belt, black deerskin, prayer beads, and kuśa grass. At the sandhyā junctures he regularly worshiped Śrī Hari in five forms: the sacrificial fire, the sun, his guru, the brāhmaṇas, and the Paramātmā within his heart.
FAQs
This verse shows Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi worshiping Hari at both sandhyās, indicating that regular, time-bound devotion and remembrance of God are integral to Vedic dharma.
The Bhāgavatam presents them as sacred representatives and supports of dharma; honoring them as part of Hari’s worship integrates devotion with reverence for divine order, spiritual authority, and the Lord’s presence as Paramātmā.
Keep a steady daily practice—morning and evening prayer/meditation—while showing respect to teachers, sacred knowledge, and the divine presence in all people.