Markandey Ashram:

Rishi Markandey was in Meditation, when he suddenly felt fluctuations and heard ground trembling footsteps of Manihara. He came out to see what the commotion was; the people of the ashram were already looking outside.

Markandeya stepped out and saw Apoorva running towards his ashram with Manihara on her flank. She failed to see a stone and tripped over. Markandeya quickly caught her, before she can fall. He slowly lifted up and helped her stand on her legs.

Manihara was just a hair away from her, as he was in thought putting the situations to see the clear picture and about why he was attacking Apoorva, also still hesitating and in doing so did not look at his surroundings.

As he was about to lay his hand on her, Markandey appeared infront of him. A small wave of his hand sent Manihara few steps back.

“Maharshi Markandey...” said Manihara with shock. He was shocked to see one of the immortals.

Manihara cleared his mind and looked around. It looked like they were still in Himalaya mountain range. But it was little different, there was greenery all around, the snow mountains are visible some distance away. An ashram was in the middle. The houses are made of wood and leaves. There were people living here. The men wore dhotis and the woman plain brick colour sarees. There were children as well present at the place. They were all looking at him.

He looked at Markandey straight in the eyes, hesitating a little bit before speaking.

“Hand me the woman and I’ll let you live otherwise you will die” he warned.

“Me? You think you can kill me?” asked Markandey smiling at his words.

“Yes, you don’t know my power; I can turn you all into ash just in a blink” he boasted.

“Okay, just try to turn this leaf into ash. I’ll give this woman” said Rishi Markandey. He showed his palm, which had a Bilva leaf. Each leaf had three leaves more.

Manihara looked at it, he knew what that leaf represents, and he did not even think of putting a scratch on it. It was a sacred leaf and in the hands of Markandey it was a weapon.

“I’m warning you again” said Manihara trying to gain some ground.

Markandey laughed at his bluff and punched the air with his palm, which pushed Manihara back some distance. Then he hit his stick on the ground, the ground vibrated and there was a thrust in the air. Manihara lost his balance and fell on his butt.

“Now, go away asura. If you ever come here or try to hurt her, then you’ll face the lord’s wrath. Go away from here and never come back” warned the Rishi.

The asura got up on his feet and disappeared. Markandeya turned towards her and asked about her.

Apoorva looked at Makandey who looked like he was in his thirties. His black hair tied like a mountain. He had a short beard. He still looked young. A kind smile on his lips and soft eyes which looked like they can see everything, he was a great saint and one of the 7 Hindu immortals known to the world.

He wore a dhoti and long cloth covering his upper body. The ceremonial thread is visible on his shoulder.

As she saw the danger averted, Apoorva fell on her knees exhausted. Her body shaking because of the near death experience, a lady nearby quickly came to hold her.

She explained the situation with hiccups to Rishi Markandey. “I’m Apoorva, lost my husband...” she wept and explained in the middle “lost to that asura, he killed him.”

Rishi Markandey closed his eyes concentrating, and all the thing that happened came to his view. He opened his eyes in shock “what did you do Mahendra?” he thought in his mind.

Some ladies came forward and took Apoorva inside the ashram.

Markandeya’s eyes burned with anger. “What did you do Mahendra?” he again said a little louder this time.