Markandey Purana is one of the eighteen Puranas, consisting of nine thousand verses.
- Commencing with the story of the birds that were acquainted with right and wrong, it is narrated completely by Markandey Legends of Vritrasur's death, Baldev, Harishchandra and the quarrel between Vasishth and Vishvamitra are followed by a discussion regarding birth, death and sin.
- There is an extensive description of the different hells or Narks.
- The account of creation is confined to the origin of the Vedas and patriarchal families and their descendants.
- An account of the different Manvantars is included, of which the eight, describing the deeds of the goddess Durga, is discussed in detail.