Sage Markandeya was an ancient rishi and seer born in the clan of Brighu Rishi and one of the most prolific writers of Puranic Sanskrit literature. The Markandeya Purana is the first spiritual text to discuss the nature of the Devi (the Divine Mother Goddess known as Shri Adi Shakti) and to reveal Her reflection in all human beings as the power of the Kundalini. A number of his prayers and dialogues appear in the Bhagavata Purana and his influence extends beyond the Mahabharata to the later writings of many key spiritual figures such as Shri Adi Shankaracharya.
