SELECT STORIES FROM PURANAS -6

SELECT STORIES FROM PURANAS

(Compiled  by  Brahmasree V.D.N.Rao)

The birth of Kartikeya, as Krittikas had a role to play, took place at the most sancrosant time viz.

Krittika Nakshatra Shashti of Suddha Margasira; Sage Viswamitra arrived and gave him the name of

Guhya as he bestowed the totality of Vedic Knowledge; the Six Goddesses offered their six heads

and six mouths; he was known as Shanmukha. As he grew for a couple of years or so he grew

restless and moved on to Krouncha Mountain and proved his valour by crumbling it. Shiva Ganas

located him and brought him to Shiva and Parvati who knew no bounds of joy that he was finally

home. He was crowned as the King of Kailasha puri and Indra appointed him as the Senapati or the

Commander in Chief of Deva Sena. Tarakasura confronted Devas and ridiculed them that he took

refuge of a boy little realising that indeed he was a ‘wizard boy’! Having despatched a few warm up

weapons, Skanda Deva engaged him with light Astras which attracted ridicule but taking an

opportune time, threw the Shakti missile suddenly and deftly that the Demon’s chest was pounded and

the greatest menace to the Universe was smashed for ever.

The erstwhile foe’s right and left shoulders called Banasura and Pralamb who suppressed Devas into

miserable submission for long many years were cut off by Skanda and the remnants of enemies were

wiped too without a scar even!

Glories of Maha Deva, his manifestations , origin of Shiva Lingas, Dwadasha Lingas and

significance of Shiva Ratri

Slow-poison of Atheism by Arihan led to the killings of Tripurasuras by Maha Deva:

As Skanda Kumara killed the most dreaded Tarakasura, his sons Tarkasha, Vidyunmali and

Kamalaksha who were dejected at their father’s death were anxious to take revenge against Devas

who planned for the birth of Shiva’s son Kartikeya. They all resorted to extreme Tapasya to please

Brahma and secured boons to construct three invincible forts built of gold, silver and iron situated in

the Skies, Earth and the Lower Worlds and dominated the Universe tormenting the three lokas and

tormenting Devas and Rishis. Devas had to vacate the higher lokas and approached Brahma and

subsequently to Vishnu for succor. Vishnu realised that the Asuras were adept in ‘Karmakanda’ or

performing rituals as per Vedas and Scriptures and as such some another method of deviating from

the Rituals. Vishnu created from his body an Athiest called Arihan who made way to the Asuras and

in the garb of teaching them rituals taught the medium of Reasoning and created confusion in their

minds the concepts of faith versus logic or religion versus skepticism.Thus the slow poison of nonbelief

got spread out from the Asura Kings to their Subjects. Thus firm grounds were prepared for the

destruction of their castles in which rituals were abolished and the ‘why and what’ kind of so-called

rationalism prevailed. Then it was a very easy situation of the invincible forts to be destroyed in one

go by Maha Deva himself by his most potent weapon viz. the Pashupataastra to terminate the Asuras

and uproot their followers.

Demon Jalandhar supported by Lakshmi but fascinated with Parvati and killed by Shiva :

Even as a child born at Gangasagar the terminal point of Ganga and the Ocean, Jalandhar was so

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mighty and energetic that when he kicked Brahma in his neck who fondled the child the latter had

tears in his eyes! Samudra brought up the child and thus Lakshmi the daughter of Samudra had a soft

corner for her brother. As Jalandhar grew up he was married to Vrinda the daughter another Daitya

King Kalanemi and the became the most cruel King of Daityas himself and forced Indra and Devas to

vacate their positions in Swarga.Vishnu remained neutral due to Lakshmi’s reluctance to harm

Jalandhar; instead the latter had access to Ksheera Samudra the abode of Lakshmi-Narayana. Narada

Muni meanwhile created a problem for Jalandhar on two counts that Shiva’s riches and powers were

by far the most superior and that his wife Parvati was the prettiest woman in the Universe. Jalandhar

sent Rahu as an emissary to Parvati with a proposal to wed him and the latter was motionless at the

Daitya’s audacity and kicked out Rahu as he was a mere emissary. She complained toVishnu about

this incident and the latter adopted the same technique of approaching Jalandhar’s wife Vrinda

disguised as a Brahmana with a similar proposal of marrying her. Some time later Vishnu

impersonated as Jalandhar and approached Vrinda and on knowing the truth later, she cursed Vishnu

before her self-immolation that he too would face similar situation later; indeed Rama was looking for

Sita all over as she was abducted by Ravanasura! Jalandhar instigated the Shubh-Nikumbh brothers to

attack Shiva who no doubt subdued them but assured them that eventually they would be terminated

by Devi Bhagavati herself. Finally Jalandhar faced Shiva in a battle and the latter slit his throat by a

fiery ‘chakra’ produced from his left toe! Vishnu suffered a guilt complex at the self-immolation of

Vrinda and performed penance. Maha Deva asked Parvati to rally the support of Lakshmi and

Sarasvati in this context and the three Devis materialised three seeds of trees viz. Amla, Tulsi and

Malati and sprayed them at the Place where Vrinda self-immolated. The seeds were sprayed at

Vrinda’s immolation place and as they grew to become big trees they were sent to Vaikuntha as

tokens of blessings to Vrinda’s soul there!

Demon Shankhachooda was terminated by Shiva while Vishnu impersonated the Demon to cheat the

latter’s wife Tulasi!

In his earlier birth the Demon Shankhacooda was Sudama the Chief Attendant of Lord Krishna’s

‘Raasa mandali’ or The Dance Group of Gopikas and Krishna at Brindavana; he was a ‘Jatismara’ or

the person with the knowledge of previous birth. He was cursed by Radha Devi due to an indisrcetion

to become a Demon. Sudama fell in love with Devi Tulasi and she too was cursed to be born along

with Sudama as his wfe and she too was a jatismara. Shankachooda was fortified with constant

recitation of Narayana Kavacha and thus became an invincible demon with enormous strength and

fortitude; he defeated Devas and dislodged Indra and Devas from their thrones. The latter approached

Maha Deva who sent Pushpadanta with a warning to Shankhachooda but the demon had the audacity

of attacking Maha Deva him self! Shiva sent Shivaganas along with Bhadrakaali but to no avail. Then

Ganesha and Kartikeya led Devas along with the Eleven Rudras, Dwadasha Bhaskaras and a huge

contingent of Pramatha Ganas. While Shankachooda was waging the battle, Vishnu spread out his

Maya and entered Devi Tulasi’s chamber as Shankhachooda and pretended that there was a victory in

the battle and that he was tired to rest with her. In the course of their union, Tulasi cursed Vishnu even

as the news of her husband’s death was learnt. The distraught Tulasi who lost her chastity gave a

curse to Vishnu to turn ino a Stone. Vishnu however blessed Tulasi to accept her as his consort and

become immortal as a Tree who was worthy of daily worship all over the World. As a result of

Tulasi’s curse Vishnu turned out to be a ‘Salagrama’ worthy of daily worship too.

Andhakasura’s each blood drop was drenched out by Chandika Devi as instructed by Maha Deva

Originally a darling boy of Devi Parvati, Andhakasura bacame a menace to the Universe. In a playful

mood, she closed Shiva’s eyes and the perspiration on the latter’s forehead created a boy of muscular

strength called Andhaka. Parvati nurtured the boy with affection and care. When the Daitya King

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g y y g

Hiranyaksha pleased Maha Deva with the King’s rigorous Tapasya for several years and obtained the

boons of longevity and invincibilty, Lord Shiva also gifted Andhaka to the King to assist him and

treat him as his own son. Together, both Hirankasha and Andhaka conquered the Three worlds and

the former even sought to pull down Bhumi besides Vedas and Scriptures to Rasatala and Vishnu had

to assume the Form of Varaha and destroyed Hiranyaksha. Andhaka then resorted to severe Tapasya

and obtained the boon that none other than Shiva could kill him. Empowered with the boon, Andhaka

became arrogant and tormented Devas and Rishis even ignoring Parvati and Shiva. Meanwhile Daitya

Guru Shukracharya pleased Maha Deva with his meditation and secured ‘Mrita Sanjeevani’ Vidya

and stalled the killings of Daitya-Danavas and revived the dead ones also. A fiery Shiva was incensed

that the Vidya was being misused and killed Shukracharya; as he was being killed, the Guru expressed

his sincere regret and the merciful Shiva released the Guru through his semen. Shiva then applied his

Trident and killed Andhakasura but thanks to his boon of Brahma, the Daitya multipled himself for

each drop of his blood. Maha Deva had then to instruct Devi Chandika to expand her tongue and

drenched out the blood of Andakasura’s body totally. Shiva lifted the body of the Demon as the latter

prayed to Maha Deva to grant him admission to Siva Ganas.

Gajasura’s boon to reside in his belly and got killed to attain Shiva Ganatwa:

Gajasura’s boon to reside in his belly and get killed only by Maha Deva: ajasura an ardent devotee of

Shiva performed severe penance and secured the boon of Shiva’s residing in the belly of the Asura. A

highly agitated Parvati requested Vishnu to locate the missing Shiva. Vishnu disguised himself as a

street player along with Nandeeswara searched all over the Kingdom of Gajasura and came to learn

that Shiva was inside the King’s belly. The dance of Nandi pleased the Asura and Vishnu requested

the latter to release Shiva on the condition that Shiva could exit from the belly by making him secure

everlasting glory and that was how Shiva wore the skin of the Elephant-Demon as ‘Gajambara

dhaari’ and assumed the name of Krittivaseshwara. [Another interpreation is that having pierced out

of the Asura’s belly, Shiva blessed the latter to let his head get fixed on his son’s shoulders and make

Gajasura’s memory permanent as Ganesha!]

Several such Shiva Leelas were ascribed to Maha Deva like the Daitya Nirhada the maternal uncle of

Prahlada who initiated the practice of co-Daityas killing Brahmanans in the form of tigers when the

Brahmanas were asleep at Yagna Shalaas and Shiva too assumed the form of another tiger to kill the

Asura tigers. On one Shiva Ratri, thousands of Brahmanas were awake after Shiva Lingaarchanas and

Shiva assumed thousands of tiger forms to kill the perpetrator Asuras. Another story described was

that of Vidal and Utpal Daityas who entered the Shiva Ganas in their forms during a ball game in

which Shiva and Parvati were at play and the Omnisceint Super Gods hit the balls so hard that the

masquerading Asuras died instantly and the balls got converted as Siva Lingas.

Basic Manifestations of Shiva :

Incarnations as Pancha Mukhaas or the Five Faces are: Sadyojaata in white complexion looking west

ward blessing Brahma to initiate the process of Creation; Vamadeva in red complexion looking

northward in deep meditative posture; Aghoresha in blue complexion looking southward representing

destructive as also regenerating energy with Roudra Mukham; Tatpurusha in yellow complexion

looking Eastward as a deluding or misleading Purusha Swarupa and Ishaana facing South East being

copmlexion-less Sada-Shiva who is Eternal, Omni Present- Omni Scient and Omni-Potent!

The Ashta Murtis or Eight Swarupas of Shiva are Sharva, Bhava, Rudra, Ugra, Bhima, Pashupati,

Ishana and Maha Deva; these Swarupas represent Pancha Bhutas or Five Elements of Earth-Water-

Radiance- Ether and Sky , besides Sun-Moon-and Kshetragjna. Sharva is All-Knowing, Bhava is the

B t d All M if l R d i th P i h d th C t U th D t Bhi

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Bestower and All- Merciful, Rudra is the Punisher and the Corrector, Ugra or the Destroyer , Bhima

the remover of all kinds of difficulties, Pashupati the Liberator of Samsara or the Earthly-bondages or

chains, Ishana the Supreme Witness of Actions and Sufferings and Shiva the ever-provider of

coolness and fulfillment also manifested in Moon as Maha Deva.

The Ekadasha Rudras are Kapali, Pingala, Bheema, Virupaksha, Vilohita, Shastra, Ajapaada,

Ahirbudhya, Shamshu, Chand and Bhava who are the regular and constant destroyers of Evil Forces

and the ever generating demonaic Shaktis in the Universe.

The corresponding Dasha Shakti Swarupas or the Counter-Part Maha Vidyas are: Maha Kaal-Kaali,

Tar- Tara, Bhuveneshwar-Bhuvaneshwari, Shodasha-Shodashi or Shri Vidyesha-Shri Vidyeshi,

Bhairava-Bharavi, Chhinna mastak-Chhinnamasta, Dhumavan-Dhumavati, BhagalaMukha-Bhagala

Mukhi, Matanga-Matangi and Kamal-Kamala.

Arthanaareshwara is a significant and Composite Form of Purusha and Prakriti. As Brahma felt a

major limitation of not being able to procreate freely and immensely, a Celestial voice was conveyed

to him that he should perform Tapasya to Bhagavan Shiva sincerely. Shiva manifested him self as

Arthanaareshwara and provided guidelineds to create male and female beings and thus expedite the

process of procreation.

Tri- Sishu Murtis were the Triplets born to Atri-Anasuya couples. Sage Atri was the Manasa Putra or

the the mind born son of Lord Brahma; the couple performed a powerful penance to Maha Deva and

the severity of the Sacrifice was such that extreme heat from the fire-pit radiated all over the world

and Devas approached Brahma who along with Vishnu conferred with Shiva and appeared before Atri

and Anasuya and desired to test her chastity in the forms of Munis who demanded that they should

serve food to them naked! She donned tree leaves and served food. Three boys were born: Chandra

with Brahma’s Amsha, Dattatreya with Vishnu’s Amsha and Durvasa with Shiva’s Amsha. Devi

Anasuya (literally meaning as the person without jealousy) was thus the unique woman with Tri

Murtis as her kids!

Durvasa: Being of the Amsha of Maha Deva, Maharshi Durvasa was stated to be of extremely short

temper. An interesting happening was narrated by Sage Suta to the congregation of Rishis

about Maharshi Durvasa: King Ambarisha was highly virtuous and pious who was in the

habit of observing fasts and worship to Bhagavan on every Ekadasi (eleventh) day of a month

and on the next day of Dwadasi (twelfth) day, he would break the fast only after a Brahmana

or more would commence their food. It was on a Dwadasi day that along with several of his

disciples, Durvasa made a sudden appearance, agreed to join for mid day meals and took

away all his Sishyas for taking bath in a river nearby. Just at the nick of time when Dwadasi

was nearing its end, Durvasa and disciples did not return; the King had to cut-short the fast

and took one sip of water and precisely at that split second Durvasa and others arrived.

Durvasa became furious that the King did not wait for him but had a sip of water already; he

pulled out a lock of hair which became a flame and would have turned the King into ash but

for the instantaneous appearance of ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ (since the King was a very high

devotee of Lord Vishnu) which not only put off the fire but chased the Sage. A celestial voice

was heard not to hurt the Sage as he was of part embodiment of Bhagavan Siva and that he

was only testing Ambarisha.The King beseeched Durvasa’s sincere pardon and so did

Sudarshan Chakra too. There were many other instances when Sage Durvasa used to test the

real characteristsics of illustrious personalities- apparently to enlighten the posterity - like Sri

Rama who was once ordered not to be disturbed by anyone but Lakshmana had to do so

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since Durvasa arrived and as an atonement discarded even Lakshmana for his wrong action;

when Durvasa was taking bath in Ganga naked by intention or mistake, Draupadi tore a part

of her sari to cover the Sage, and he blessed her that at the time of ‘Vastrapaharanam’ (

Draupadi’s disrobing) in an open Court, the piece of cloth would come to her rescue as

Dussasana tried to disrobe her; and finally saved another great embarrassment to Pandavas

and Draupadi by the sudden arrival of Durvasa with many disciples while she was unable to

cook so much of food for all of them, but Lord Krishna arrived and suppressed the hunger of

all of them as a morsel of rice remained in the utensil and that turned to be plentiful to

Durvasa and disciples!

Other manifestations of Maha Deva: Bhagavan Shiva assumed innumerable other forms. He

appeared as Yakshewara to humble Devas as they became arrogant as they secured ‘Amrit’

after churning Ocean and asked them to cut pieces of grass and they were so mighty but they

failed and realised that He was Maha Deva Himself; He incarnated as Hanuman when Lord

Siva was infatuated with Mohini, Saptarishis carried His semen to Anjana Devi through Vayu

Deva, as a child swallowed Sun God to release him only after Deities requested the child when

Sun agreed to be Hanuman’s teacher, joined Lord Rama as His devotee, assisted Rama to

locate Sita as also destroyed Ravana along with his clan and had became immortal eversince;

He assumed the form of Mahesha along with Girija since Bhairava, the door keeper of

Kailasa, made Parvati unhappy causing Her to curse as mortal named Vetal who performed

penance of such intensity that pleased Siva and Parvati; He embodied as Vrishabha

(Appearance of an Ox) to enter the lower lokas (nether worlds) with the aim of punishing

Vishnu’s wicked sons but when they were destroyed Vishnu fought with Vrishabha not

knowing the Ox-like form was of Siva’s; when Vishnu prayed to Siva the latter presented

Sudarsan Chakra to Vishnu. Lord Siva disguised as a Yatinath to test the depth of devotion by

a Bhil couple named Ahuk and Ahuka and sought resting place overnight but even while Ahuk

said that their hut was just enough for two persons, Ahuka agreed to sleep outside to let the

guest sleep inside the hut, while a wild animal killed Ahuk yet Ahuka quietly tried to jump in

the husband’s funeral pyre when Lord Siva manifested and blessed that the couple to become

Nala and Damayanti in the next birth as the Lord would appear as a ‘Hamsa’ (Swan) to unite

them; Siva disguised as a beggar to another poor woman who was hesitating to look after an

orphan boy as she had her own child too, yet advised the woman to bring up both the kids,

since the orphan boy was the son of King Satyarath who was killed by enemies while the

Queen went to forest along with the just born child but was killed by a crocodile in a river thus

prevailing on the poor woman not to abandon the orphan and eventually found a pot of gold to

her surprise; Lord Siva appeared as Sureshwara in the guise of Indra when child Upamanyu

performed concentrated penance to Bhagavan to become rich as he did not have enough money

to buy milk when his poor mother said that Siva could only provide money but as a result of

his penance Indra appeared and not Siva which disapponted Upamanu to resume the Tapasya

with far higher devotion and Siva Himself appeared; and Bhagavan’s Incarnation as Kirat

(hunter) when a forest bound boar (actually a Demon Mookasura sent by Duryodhana) killed

by Arjuna and Kirata simultaneously was claimed by both ending up in a mutual fight and

finally a victorious Siva was impressed by Arjuna’s valour and gifted ‘Pasupatastra’, the most

potent arrow of the World!

Nandikeshwara: As regards Nandikeshwara, the origin was that Sage Shailada secured a boon from

Maha Deva that a son of extraordinary Spiritual Knowledge would be born with four hands and three

eyes but would be short lived for seven years only. The boy was born was a prodigy of Vedas. But

realising that the lad would be short-lived the Sage took to severe Tapasya again to Maha Deva who

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realising that the lad would be short lived, the Sage took to severe Tapasya again to Maha Deva who

blessed the boy to live for ever! He instructed the Sage that a garland worn by Shiva himself should

imbibe His powers and sprinkled water from His locks as the water flowed as ‘Panchanadi’or five

rivers. Shiva then appointed the boy as the Chief of Shivaganaas. Devi Parvati brought up the boy as

her own and gave Nandeswara full freedom in their house-hold! Any prayer to Shiva should be

through him only!

Bhairava: was created from Bhagavan Siva’s third eye as He decided to snip the fifth head of

Brahma who annoyed the Lord for the sin of temptation with his own daughter. But the sin of

removing a head of Brahma construed as ‘Brahma hatya’ (killing a Brahmana that too of the

stature of Brahma) haunted Bhairava and he wished to atone the sin by begging alms in the

skull of the dropped Head. He reached Vaikuntha and Lakshmi Devi gifted a Vidya or learning

called ‘Manorath’ or fulfilment of one’s mental wishes. Lord Siva dropped oegrass (a plant in

sea akin to elephant grass) in the skull-bowl and directed Bhairava to Kasi as this sin of

Brahmahatya could not enter the Temple but he went to Patalaloka intead. As Bhairava

dropped the skull, he got rid of the sin for-ever.The place where the skull fell is regarded as that

of ‘Kapala Moksha’ or Salvation of the Skull.

Sharabheshwara: is another incarnation of Maha Deva, in the curious form of a giant bird

which is part-lion and part-human [depicted as a figure in the Temples of South India]. When

Lord Vishnu assumed the incarnation of Narasimha (Man-Lion) and devastated the Demon

Hiranyakasipu and saved Prahlada- the die-hard devotee of Vishnu, Narasimha continued His

fury for a long time and various efforts including Prahlad’s prayers and even Veerabhadra’s

intervention in the form of a mighty fight proved futile. The Giant Bird was able to control

Narasimha and flew the latter away held by its beak. On way, Lord Vishnu recovered His

normalcy and praised Siva for averting a universal havoc. The body of Narasimha was

destroyed and its Lion’s Head was worn in a garland of Sharabhevara or Lord Siva.

The Story of Siva Linga’s Origin:

In the secluded and thick forests of Darukavana, select Rishis and Yogis called were engaged in deep

Tapasya and their wives who were all Maha Pativratas were engaged in serving the Tapasis in their

Spiritual Activities of ‘Karma Kanda’ like ‘Japa-Homas’. Maha Deva arrived in that atmosphere to

test the depth and earnestness of their devotion in the disguise of a semi lunatic but as an

astonishingly handsome youth; he was half-naked some times laughing and some times crying but

behaving erratically. Out of curiosty in the beginning and as a temptation eventually the women folk

including the elderly ones, not to mention of the youthful ones and of course the ‘kanyas’ made a

beeline to the handsome young man and the Rishis found a noticeable transformation in their outlook

with sympathy and soft corner. Some entrerprising women even tried to converse with the person but

he did not respond positively. As the men in that small Society reprimanded him and even threatened

him to leave the Place, he did not reply and laughed away as though they were in a negative mode.

Finally, his presence became a nuisance upsetting their peace of mind as the women folk started

getting more and more attracted to him by the day. In one go, the Rishis confronted him and cursed

him that his Linga be dropped. Brahma appeared and admonished the Maharshis and apologised to

Maha Deva. The Munis too realised their terrible mistake and sought unreserved apologies to the

youth in disguise. Maha Deva no doubt accepted their sincere apologies but reprimanded them for

their flippant reactions without trying to assess the truth; he said that the entire Srishti occurred due to

Stree and Pumlingas and one shopuld not hasten to wrong conclusions ; a Brahmavaadi might be a

naked person, or ash-smeared or even a child and least-communicative as he might be engrossed in

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naked person, or ash smeared or even a child and least communicative as he might be engrossed in

inner-meditation enjoying bliss or crying for the betterment of Society around and as such ‘prima

facie’ interpretations might be misleading. This was how Shiva guided the Rishis not to confuse Maya

for Satya or Illusions for Reality! Maha Deva also suggested that ‘Karma Kanda’ could certainly be a

foundation to the path for Self-Realisation or a means for Salvation but not the end by itself just as

mistaking wood for the forest!

Shata-Rudreeyam: Thus Linga Formations are representations of Maha Deva and worship to Lingas is

most certainly the worship to Shiva and his virility itself. While there are crores of Linga Swarupas

made of sand, rock, metal and various other matetial bases all over the Universe, distinct Beings like

Brahma-Vishnus, Deva-Danavas, Yaksha-Gandharvas, Muni-Manavas and others were stated to

worship Shiva Lingas in their own ways having materialised them with varying materials and varying

names of Shiva. This staggering mateial base with which the Lingas were made and distinguished

with different names of Maha Devas was called Shata Rudreeyam.: Brahma meditated the feet of a

Golden Linga called Jagat Pradhana; Krishna to the head of a black stone Linga named Urjit;

Sanakadi Munis to the heart of Jagadrati Linga; Sapta Rishis worshipped a Darbha Linga named

Vishwa Yoni; Narada conceived an all-pervasive Akaakasha Linga and worshipped Jagatvija; Indra

worshipped a Vajra Linga named Vishwatma; Surya to a copper Linga called Vishwasruga; Chandra

to a pearl Linga named Jagatpati; Agni worshipped Indra Nila Mani Linga called Vishweshwara;

Brihaspati to a Pushparajamani called Vishwa Yoni; Yama Dharma Raja to a brass Linga called

Shambhu; Shukracharya paid penance to Padmaraaga Man Linga called Vishwakarma; Kubera

worshipped a Golden Linga called Ishwara; Vishwa Deva Ganas prayed to a Silver Linga named

Jagatgati; Ashtavasus to a Glass Linga known as Bhavodbhava; Marud Ganas to TriLoka Linga made

of three metals called Umesha/ Bhupesha; Rakshasas prayed to an Iron Linga called Bhuta Bhavya

Badhavya; Guhyaka Ganas prayed to a Mirror-made Shiva Linga named Yoga; Jaigeesha Muni

performed puja to Maya Linga named Jaigeeshwara; King Nimi did penance to a Ugala Netra Linga

or Two Eyed Linga called Sharva; Dhanvantari worshipped Gomaya Linga (cow-dung) in the name of

Sarva Lokeshwareshwara; Gandharvas made pujas to a wooden Linga called Sarva Shreshtha; Lord

Rama made intense Japa to Vidyunmani Linga named Jyeshtha; Banasura made sacrifices to a

Marakata Mani Linga named Varishtha; Varuna Deva revered Sphatika Mani Linga named

Parameshwara; Naga Ganas prayed to Munga (Black Pearl) Linga named Lokatrayankara; Shani

Deva performed Japa on Saturday Amavasya Midnights to Bhavari Swarupa Linga (Honey Bee)

called Jagannatha; Ravana worshipped Chameli Flower Linga named Sudurjaa; Siddha Ganas prayed

to Manasa Linga called ‘Kama Mrityu Jaraatiga’; and so on.

Dwadasha Jyotir Lingas: Nandeshwara described the most Celebrated Twelve Shiva Lingas viz.

Kedarnath in Himalayas [Uttaranchal], Bhima Shankar in Dakinya [Pune, Maharashtra],

Vishweshwara in Varanasi, Triambaka on Godavari Banks, Somanath in Sourashtra [Gujarat],

Mallikarjuna in Shri Shaila [Andhra Pradesh], Mahakaala in Ujjain [Madhya Pradesh], Omkareshwara

[also in Madhya Pradesh], Vaidyanath at Deogarh [Bihar], Nageshwara near Dwaraka [Gujarat],

Rameshwara [Tamil nadu] and Ghishneshwara [near Ellora Caves, Aurangabad, Maharashtra].

Somanath is a Sparsha Linga and the Water Body Chandra Kund is stated to cure Leprosy and

Tuberculosis. Its legend originated from Daksha Prajapati’s Curse since Daksha married off twenty

seven of his daughters to Chandra but the latter displayed extreme affection for Rohini to the

complete neglect of others and Daksha cursed Chandra to gradually disappear from the Sky. There

was havoc to the worlds in the absence of Chandra as there was neither moon shine nor coolness in

the nights and worse still there were no ‘Aoushadhis’ nor Brahmanas whose Lord Chandra was

performing Yagnas. Lord Shiva sorted the problem of creating Shukla Paksha or the First Bright

Fortnight as Chandra would reach a peak of Shine upto Pournami and in the subsequent fortnight of

i h k h ld

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Krishna Paksha would wane upto Amavasya.

Shri Shailam: Shiva and Parvati appeared as Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba as Kartikeya left for

Tapasya on the Krouncha Mountain since he felt cheated on his return from a ‘Bhu Pradakshina’or

circumambulation of Earth as per a Pact approved by his parents for an earlier wedding but his brother

Ganesha did not do so and merely performed three Pradakshinas around his parents much faster than

Kartik; Ganesha knew that the Pradakshinas were as good as Bhu Pradakshina around their parents as

per Scriptures! Shiva and Parvati tried to reach Kartikeya on Mountain to pacify him. Devi Parvati

assumed the form of bees all over her body to kill Mahishasura and hence her Avatara as

Bhramaramba. It is stated that Vrishabha Deva the Carrier of Maha Deva did severe Tapasya at the

same Place and Shiva Parvatis obliged their darshan in the form of Mallikarjuna and Bhramaramba

here. Also Rama installed a Sahasra Linga there and so did Pandavas the Pancha Pandava Lingas.

Further, Adi Shankara is stated to have scripted his memorable Work of ‘Shivananda Lahari’ here.

Ujjain: Lord Shiva’s Swayambhu (Self- Generated) Linga as Mahakaal on the banks of River

Kshipra is a unique specimen of Jyotirlingas maintained on Tantrik Principles. The mythological

background of the Temple related to a pious Brahmana well versed in Vedas and Sciptures who gave

birth to four highly learned sons named Deva Priya, Priyamedha, Survita and Suvrata. A demon

called named Dushana lived on a nearby hill Ratnamala who could not tolerate the very concept of

Vedas and their applications and particularly hated the Brahmana brothers and on one day along with

his co-demons encountered the brothers while they were engrossed in an ‘Abhisheka’ to the

Mahakaala Linga. As the demons surrounded the Brahmana brothers and were about to kill them,

there was a frightful and reverberating roar of ‘Humkaara’which instantly exterminated the killer

demons. The Brahmana brothers prostrated gratefully before the Linga and recited soulful stotras and

Maha Kaala made his unique appearance and intensified their Tri-Kaala pujas which were continued

grom generation to generation. The experience of early morning ‘Bhasmabhishekas’ with the bhasma

/ ash of the first dead body of Ujjain as purified appropriate Mantras with the Sacred waters of River

Ksdhipra continues to be awe-inspiring till date! Ujjain, the erstwhile Capital of Avanti has a glorious

past as it was ruled by Mauryas and Guptas, especially by Vikramaditya and his renowned ‘Nava-

Ratnas’ or the Nine Gems of Poets especially of Kalidaasaa, Vetala Bhatta and Varahamihira; his step

btother Saint Bhartuhari who spurned on Kingship is still reputed for Bhartruhari caves as one went

inside beyond a point would never return! Kala Bhairava Idol in the Temple in the vicinity of the

Caves accepts half of any intoxicating liquor and leaves behind as a ‘Prashad ‘ or return of the

Offerings. Ujjain is one of the Seven Illustrious ‘Mukti Sthalaas’ or Salvation Places in Bharat,

besides Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Varanasi, Kanchipuram and Dwaraka.

Omkareshwara: Situated on the banks of River Narmada on the Mandhata Island formed in the shape

of OM in Sanskrit, Omkareshwara is another famed Jyoir Lingas. The Legend was that Narada

provocked the powerful Vindhya Mountain as the latter boasted of his height and might; Vindhya was

noboubt high but was not comparable to that of Meru Mountain, Narada said. Vindhya Raja felt

jealous and resorted to concentrated Tapasya to Maha Deva who granted Vindhya’s request to

establish a Shiva Linga on the banks of Narmada River. Puffed by Shiva’s presence there, Vindhya

grew taller and taller to compete with Sumeru. This disturbed Surya’s routine circumambulation of

the Universe as he had to return half way as one half of the Universe remained dark. Devi Bhagavati

asked Sage Agastya from Varanasi to visit Vindhya Raja who out of veneration for the Muni bent

down as Agastya asked Vindhaya to be in that position till he returned and the Muni had yet to return

from Dakishna Bharat eversince!

Kedareswara: Flanked the snow-clad peaks of Himalayas at a height of 3585 m from Sea level Kedar

is the highest point of human comprehension where the Kedareshwara Jyotirlinga is present. The

i i ih d h hii h i di d

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incarnations of Vishnu as Nara and Narayana Maharshis in the form of Mountains meditated to

Shiva for times immemorial. Pandavas performed penance to Shiva for the welfare of humanity and

the latter was materialsed as a Swayambhu Linga as Kedareshwara- a large expanse of Black Stone

with an inclined elevation in the middle. The belief is that the Pancha Pandavas in their final journey

reached the Temple chasing a Bull- Lord Shiva Himself-and Bhima sought to catch the tail but failed;

finally they all attained Salvation at the Mountain Top. It is also believed that Adi Shankara too

attained his Moksha on the Mountain Top.

Bhima Shankar: Located in the Ghat Region of Sahyadri Hills near the head of the Bhima River that

merged with River Krishna too, Bhima Shankara Jyotir Linga was stated to have materialised on its

own as Maha Deva killed Demon Bhima the son of Kumbhakarna, the brother of Rananasura. Demon

Bhima wished to avenge the killings of his father and King Ravana by Shri Rama and secured the

boon of invincibility against Devas and other Beings from Brahma by the dint of extreme penance.

Besides dislodging Indra and Devas from their Seats of Power, the Demon Bhima provoked Maha

Deva as the Demon tormented his devotee a staunch Shiva Bhakta named King Kamarupeshwara

insisting that instead of worshipping Shiva the Demoon should worship him instead. As the Demon

was about to destroy the Shiva Linga worshipped by the King, Mahadeva appeared and sliced the

demon’s head and the sweat from Shiva’s forehead while killing the demon turned into a water flow

since called Bhima River. The Jyotir Linga manifested as a powerful representation of ‘Artha

Nareeswara’ bestowing proof of fulfilment of devotees who throng the Temple in large crowds

especially on Mondays and Shiva Ratris. As in respect of Ujjain, the Swayambhu Linga here too is set

at a level lower than the normal Ground. The Bhima Shankar Temple is also stated to have ben

associated wirh the killing of Tripurasuras and there was a manifestation of Devi Parvati in a Place

nearby as Kamalaja since Brahma worshipped her.

Another version from the Koti Rudra Samhita of Shiva Purana indicated Dakininam Bheema

Shankara as the slayer of Bhimasura and that Bhima Shankara’s Temple was situated at Kamarup

(Assam) on Bhimapur Hill where King Sudakshina was saved and the Jyotir Linga was consecrated as

Shiva Rathis were celebrated with tremendous pomp and show with great fervour. Yet another version

stated that Bhima Shankar Jyotir Linga appeared as a Swayambhu at Kashipur near Nainital which

was chronicled as the Dakini Country where Bhima of Pandavas married a Dakini woman named

Hidimba and there too there was a Jyotir Linga as Swayambhu.

Varanasi: Famed as the Place of Devas that was founded by Bhagavan Shiva Himself some thousand

years ago, Kasi the confluence of Rivers Varana and Asi, has a hoary legend with world-wide

reputation, referred to in Rig Veda and Puranas. This was the spot where Bhagavan Vishweshvara

manifested as Avimukta Jyotirlinga. Brahma was stated to have made such extraordinary Tapasya to

such an extent that Vishnu moved his head across so fast in disbelief and his ear-ring fell on the banks

of the River Ganges and continued his search there and the Sacred Spot was named ‘Manikarnika’

ever since. As Brahma recited Vedas in praise of Maha Deva once, the latter was annoyed as

Brahma’s wrong and misleading stanza was recited and Shiva sliced one of Brahma’s ‘Pancha

Mukhas’ or Five Faces in great exaspration; the sliced head found a lasting Place as Brahmakund.

Varanasi is also reputed as one of the Shakti Peethaas where Sati Devi’s ear-rings fell where Devi

Vishalakshi’s shrine stands now. The Shrine of Devi Annapurna exists where during a long spell of

famine broke in Kasi and Devi Bhagavati herself served ‘Anna’ or cooked rice food to one and all

daily and Maha Deva too was a beneficiary as a beggar of the charity of food so received into the

Brahma Kapala of the sliced head of Brahma since the Brahma Hatya sin haunted Shiva till his

Vimochana! The illustrious Harischandra Ghat where King Harischandra was posted as a Slave at

Smashana or burial ground continues its operations of despatching the Souls of dead bodies to

Kailasa! Ranging from Kings and Queens Foreign Plunderers Saints like Adi Shankara

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Kailasa! Ranging from Kings and Queens, Foreign Plunderers, Saints like Adi Shankara,

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Vivekananda, Dayananda, Tulasi Das, and Guru Nanak, non-Hindu

Followers and even athiests have been attracted to this Unique Kasi and Lord Vishweswara blesses

them all!

Tryambakshwara: Located some thirty kilometers away from Nasik in Maharashtra the Jyotirlinga

attracts thousands of pilgrims round the year providing boons of fulfillment of material desires and

spiritual solace. This is the Source Point of the Holy River Godavari; the famed couple of Sage

Gautama and his wife Ahalya made such selfless prayers to end the long spell of famine and Lord

Varuna blessed a constant flow of Water. As the incessant flow of water and the resultant abundance

of foodgrains created jealousy of co-Sages and their wives, they created a Maya Cow which destroyed

grains. Gautama killed the Maya Cow and the co-Sages banished the Gautama couple to a lonely

hermitage on the mountain called Brahmagiri.The Sage made an extraordinatry penance and the

pleased Maha Deva who bestowed a doubled boon of calling up Ganga in the form of a River called

Gautami and also to manifest a Jyotir Linga named Traibakeshwara. There was a legendary allusion

that when Narayana created from his navel a lotus stem and on top of it Brahma was generated,

Brahma did not approve of Narayana’s superiority and when a quarrel followed, a mammoth Shiva

Linga manifested on its own as a Column of Fire. The Column had no beginning nor top but Brahma

lied that he found the height of the Fire Column and quoted a Ketaki Flower as a witness. Shiva gave

a curse that the Ketaki flower should not be utilised for worship to any Deity and that there should not

be worship to Brahma. Brahma gave a return curse to Shiva that the Trayambakeshwara Linga should

be pushed underground. Indeed, the Trayambakeshwara was under Brahmagiri and the Jyotirlinga is

small in size in a depression on the floor with water constanly oozing out from the top. Varaha Tirtha

is famed as Lord Vishnu had a bath in the River in Varaha Swarupa. Kushwa Tirtha is called so as

Sage Gautami spread his Kushasana or Darbhasana while receiving the waters of Ganga.

Vaidyanath (At Deogarh/Parli?): Ravanasura performed a relentless penance for several years but

Shiva remained unresponsive. He dug up a pit and worshipped Shiva Linga and sacrificed his hands

one by one and finally Shiva appeared and gave the boon of invincibility of Devas, ignoring however

human and other Beings on Earth. He also secured the boon of a carrying Shiva to Lanka for

adoration in his Puja Griha; Shiva gave a Linga but cautioned that it should not be kept on ground,

lest it would not be pulled out again. Devas were concerned that Shiva’s absence from Kailasha

might adversely affect Dharma and thus prayed to Parvati and Ganesha to ensure that the Shiva Linga

would not reach Lanka. Parvati with Varuna creatred an illusion of sweet water and Ravana was

tempted and got his stomach bloated; he asked a passer- by boy (Ganesha) to hold the Linga for an

ablution and the boy kept the Sacred Linga on the ground and got stuck: that was the famed Jyotir

Linga of Vaidyanath.

The controversy is whether this Linga is at Deogarh in Jarkhand off some 220km from Patna or at

Parli or Kantipura in Maharashtra. In Deogarh, million devotees worship especially in the Shravana

Month (July-August). Several pilgrims traditionally carry Ganges water from Sultanganj to Deoghar,

a distance of hundred kilometers, to perform Abhisheka to the Linga and some Sadhus even carry by

walk water barefooted! The Legend was that Ravanasura desired to perform ablutions and as there

was no water, he used his fist to hit the Earth and there emerged a pond called Shiva Ganga.

In Parli in Maharashtra the legend is that Amba Yogeswari desired to marry Vaidyanath (Maha Deva)

and waited for the bridegroom party to arrrive even past the Muhurta or the precise time of wedding

and Amba cursed the party to turn into Stones. Another Story ascribed to this Kshetra was that after

Samudra Mathana or the churning of the Ocean of Milk, Dhanvantari was hidden among fourteen

gems inside the Shivalinga and as Demons tried to take them away forcibly, huge flames came out

and the latter had to retreat. The belief among the devotees is that after performing Abhisheka,the

Tirtha water contains medicinal properties to cure all kinds of diseases This Sacred Place is also

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Tirtha water contains medicinal properties to cure all kinds of diseases. This Sacred Place is also

considered as Mohini Avatara of Vishnu distributed Amrit to Devas and denied to Danavas. A

Vateswara Temple in the vicinity is believed to contain a Vata Vriksha (Banyan Tree) where the

incident of Satyavan and Savitri occurred and Yama Deva blessed the couple with long-life! A Pond

nearby named after Muni Markandeya signified the hallowed place where the Muni embraced the

Shiva Linga to escape death and Maha Deva was pleased by his devotion and granted eterrnal life.

Nageswara Jyotirlinga (Dwaraka/ Naganath/ Jagdeshwar):

The Place of Maha Deva’s manifestation of a Jyotirlinga as Nageswara at Dwaraka in Gujarat or

Naganath at Aoudh in Prabhasa Kshetra in Maharashjtra or as Jagdeshwar near Almora in

Uttarakhand is a controversy but all the three palces have substantial following of devotees in all the

Kshetras. The legend was that there was a Demon couple named Daruka and Daruki and the latter

performed extreme meditation to Devi Parvati who granted her the boon that whereever she went their

forest too should travel and the demons created havoc by way of destroying Yagnas and Spiritual

Tasks and killing Brahmanas and devotees. Sage Ourva gave a curse to the demons and followers

would be destroyed on Earth and the latter had to move into the Seas where too they attacked Ships

and harassed the Ship mates. One Vaishya traveller of a Ship named Supriya who was a staunch

devotee of Maha Deva was thrown into a prison along with fellow shipmates by the demons and as

Vaishya appealed to Shiva the latter appeared and destroyed the Demon and his party. The devotees

commemorated the joyous monent as Maha Deva manifested on the Sea Coast as Nageshwara Linga.

Some 18 km from Dwaraka the Jyoirlinga of a small size appeared as set underground of a few feet

and it could be touched by devotees. The Story was that Sant Namadeva and approached the Linga

and rendered soulful bhajans (group singings) even while a band of Brahmanas were reciting ‘Rudra

Paaraayana’ and the Temple Management asked the Sant’s party to shift to the back of the Temple

and when the bhajans were sung the Shiva Linga turned around facing the Bhajan Party and the

Management of the Temple prostrated to Namadeva. As the Temple is closed, the belief has been that

snakes hover around the Linga with their hoods opened up. A huge Shiva Idol was built to beckon

devotees visiting the Nageswara Linga.

Om Tat Sat

(Continued)

My humble salutations to the lotus feet of  H H Chandrasekharendra  Saraswathi Mahaswamy ji  and

 compiled , composed  and interpreted  by Brahmasri Sreeman  V D N Rao ji for the collection)