( The 'd' in this name is pronounced like 'd' in 'den' . The Y in this name is consonant and it is pronounced like Y in 'you'. )
Maarkandeya means son of Mrikanda. The original name of this sage was nowhere mentioned. He was known as Maarkandeya only. He is believed to be immortal. His father Mrikanda too got his name from the fact that he was undisturbed fron his meditation even when animals were rubbing against his body when he was in deep meditation, as if they scratch their bodies against a tree,to free themselves from their itching ( Mri is a part of the name Mriga or animal and kandu=itching ).
Born to his parents from Lord Shiva's boon, he was destined to live for sixteen years only. But Naarada advised him to meditate on Lord Shiva for longer life-span. The boy did acordingly and when yama arrived to take his life on the destined day, Maarkandeya struck hard to Shiva ( Linga ). Further force by Yama made Shiva furious and Yama was incur his wrath. Finally Shiva gave Maarkandeya a boon that he would live forever.
Maarkandeya met Yudhishthira when they were in the forests. He took them on pilgrimage, narrating about many holy places. On the occasion he told Yudhishthira that he had lived through many cycles of creation and destruction. Details can be seen in Aaranyaka parva of Mahaabhaaratham and also in Mahaabhaagavatham .