According to mythology, Ravana was a very religious person and an ardent follower of Lord Shiva. He prayed to the lord to obtain Atma-Linga (Soul of Shiva) that will make him immortal. Happy with his devotion, Shiva granted him the boon, and asked him to carry the Linga to Lanka, where he ruled. There was one condition though: the Linga should never be placed on the ground on the way. If the Linga was ever placed on the ground, it will settle there and it would be impossible to move it further. Ravana did not consider this condition a big deal. Lanka was anyway a day's journey for him. Having obtained the boon, Ravana happily set on his return journey to Lanka, wrapping the Linga with a piece of cloth and carrying it carefully on his shoulder, and with a hymn on his lips.
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| The Shiva temple complex of Murdeshwara (Karnataka) |
Narada, who travelled all around the world to spy for the Devas, became aware of this development. He promptly reported it to the Devas, who became alarmed at the prospect of Ravana's immortality. In order to prevent Ravana to carry the Linga to Lanka, they worked out a sinister plan.
By mid-day, while Ravana was still on his way to Lanka, Vishnu, the most powerful wizard in the Deva clan, blotted the Sun to make it appear like evening. Alas, Ravana didn't have a wrist-watch (or a cellphone) with him, and could not judge the time correctly! He was in a fix. He could not conduct his prayers, which he did religiously every evening, with the Linga on his shoulder. The mischievous elder offspring of Shiva joined the Devas: Ganesha appeared in guise of a Brahmin (priest) and offered Ravana to carry the Linga till he completed his rituals.
Now, Ravana had no other option, but to trust the Brahmin and accept his offer. By the time he completed his rituals, Ganesha played his trick; he put the Linga on the ground and fled. Fait accomplis, Vishnu unblocked the Sun to make it broad daylight again.
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| The shrine of Shiva, Murdeshwara (Karnataka) |
When Ravana realized how he has been hoodwinked, he was infuriated. He drew he sword to avenge the culprits. But, none of the Devas, on whom he could vent his anger, were anywhere in sight. In utter frustration, he tried to destroy the Linga and tore it to pieces. In the process, it got scattered all over the place. Myth claims that the cloth covering the Linga fell here in Murdeshwar (Karnataka coast), where eventually this grand temple dedicated to Shiva has been built and Ravana is remembered with pride.
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| The coastline at Murdeshwara |
There may not be any truth in the story, and all the characters may be mythical. They do not reflect my personal belief either. They are not intended to hurt the sentiments of any community. They are just shreds of stories that I have heard here and there, and tried to string them together with some colors and spices added to them.
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A similar story we heard during our visit (1974) to famous Shiva temple at Deoghar (Jharkhand/ then Bihar).
ReplyDeleteWhat is the story behind Baidyanath Jyotirlinga?
It is said that demon king Ravana prayed to Lord Shiva seeking boons that would make him omnipotent. As a sacrifice, he offered each of his ten heads one after another. This pleased Lord Shiva, who came down to earth and cured the injured Ravana. The act of curing made Lord Shiva equivalent to a doctor or vaidhya/baidhya. Hence, the name Baidyanath.
Another version says that Ravana, one of the greatest devotees of Lord Shiva, requested him to make Lanka his home. The Lord could not acquiesce to that but said that the Shiva Linga would be as good as his presence. He placed the condition that while transporting the linga, Ravana must not put it down anywhere. If he did, the place where he put it down would be the site of the linga. As Ravana was transporting it to Lanka, the gods feared the consequences of the linga at Ravana’s kingdom and requested Lord Varuna, lord of the waters, to break his journey. Varuna entered Ravana’s stomach, making the demon king want to relieve himself. He descended to the ground and handed the linga to a Brahmin (Lord Vishnu in disguise) and asked him to hold it.
As soon as Ravana went to relieve himself, Lord Vishnu placed the linga on the ground and disappeared. When Ravana returned, he realized that he had been tricked. The linga was fixed to the ground. He tried with all his might to displace it. However, he could not. So, he paid obeisance to it right there. This spot is believed to be Deoghar.
This temple doubles as a Shakti Peetha as well. When Lord Shiva’s first consort, Sati immolated herself after her father Daksha’s yagna (sacrifice or offering), the grief-stricken Lord, roamed the world with her body. Lord Vishnu cut it up into 52 parts. It is said that her heart fell at Deoghar – making it a Shakti Peetha.
https://www.artofliving.org/mahashivratri/vaidyanath-jyotirlinga
Thanks for sharing the story of Baidyanath Jyotirlinga. It is remarkably similar to the story of Murudeshwara. I am amazed to see how many such gems are strewn around India.
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