#Bhimashankar #Jyotirlinga in #Maharashtra, the Legend, the #TempleStories 3 on the banks of the River Bhima

We set on our journey to Bhimashankar very early in the morning. It took us a good four and a half hours to reach the temple from Mumbai. The drive was amazing, along winding roads in the midst of nature. Many devotees trek it to the temple on foot. The serene atmosphere enhances the divinity of this beautiful temple and infuses a feeling of calm and oneness with nature and God in the minds of the thousands of devotees undertaking the strenuous trek.

We took the easy option of driving up to the spacious parking lot. A huge gate with “Kshetra Jai Bhimashankar” inscribed on it welcomed us.

One has to descend a flight of steps to reach the temple. 

The golden kalash is instantly visible along with the exquisite shikara. The Kalash dates back to the 13th or 14th century and it is believed that the original temple was built by one Vinayak Rao Bhide.

The temple, though, as it is seen in present times has been built by Nana Phadnavis, during the Peshwa rule in the 18th century. 

On the way to the main temple there is a shrine to Goddess Kamalaja, believed to be an incarnation of Devi Parvati. 

The story goes that a demon lived here and harassed the people of the land. Indradev requested Devi Kamalaja to put an end to his atrocities. The Goddess fought a long battle with the demon and vanquished him upon which the Devas worshipped her with kamal (lotus). Hence the Goddess is called Kamalaja.

 The way to the main temple is flanked by shops on both sides which sell a host of puja materials, medicinal herbs and plants and temple artifacts. 

A signboard reading Bhimashankar Jyotirling Simhadwar leads us into the temple premises. The locals told us that Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to come here frequently for a darshan of Lord Bhimashankar and the Peshwas rebuilt the temple in the 18th century. The spacious Sabha Mandap also seems to be a recent addition. Just outside the Mandap one finds a shrine to Shaneeshwar Bhagwan.

 A huge panchadaatu bell of Portuguese origin hangs here on which is inscribed 1729. Two stone deepmalas and two Nandi statues are also seen in the temple premises. A sacred fireplace is seen from where the ashes are used to make vibhooti or bhasma for the Lord. The main sanctum houses the swayambu lingam of Bhimashankar covered with the archana flowers, mainly bright yellow marigold and the sacred Bilwa leaves. The Yoni is clad in silver and presents a divine sight as the aarti flame lights up the entire shrine and the feeling of spiritual fervour seems to rise to a crescendo with the sound of conches, bells and cymbals. There are small shrines to Lord Ganesh and Bharaivnathji inside the Garbagriha. A panchamukhi silver face is placed on the Shivling during the aarti, signifying the presence of Panchatatva (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Chandra and Parvati Mata), and both Shiv and Shakti are ever present at this holy place to bless their devotees. On Amavasya days and Mondays, there are special pujas conducted during the trikal pujas. Rudrabhishek and Panchamrut abhishek is done everyday for Lord Bhimashankar.

Legend 

Bhimashankar Jyotirling is the source of the River Bhima, which is said to have been formed from the sweat of Mahadev while he was resting here after the battle with Tripurasura. Bhima merges with the River Krishna at Raichur. The story goes thus. Tripurasura was the son of Sage Grutsamad and was initiated into the worship of Lord Ganesh. He was gifted three worlds (Three Puras) one of gold, another of silver and the third of iron. He was also bestowed with a boon that only Mahadev could kill him and that too with one arrow piercing the three Puras. Subsequently, the Asura was consumed with pride and harassed everyone. The Devas prayed to Lord Shivshankar who agreed to battle with Tripurasur. The long battle ended when Mahadev after praying to Chintamani Ganesh defeated the Asura and the sweat from Lord Shiva’s body fell to the earth at this spot. Another legend speaks of the Asur called Bhima who was staying in these forests with his mother Kartaki. After he grew up, he asked his mother to reveal his father’s identity. When his mother informed him, that he was the son of the mighty Kumbakarna, who along with his brother Ravana, had been killed by Mahavishnu in his Ramavathar, Bhima was furious and vowed to take revenge against Mahavishnu. He did great penance to Lord Brahma, acquired powerful boons, and started harassing the people and even the Devas. He captured King Kamarupeshwar who was a staunch devotee of Mahadev and ordered him to stop his worship of the Lord. Kamarupeshwar refused. Bhima at once lifted his sword to strike at the Shivlingam when a raging fire emanated which destroyed the Asura. Kamarupeshwar, the beloved devotee, requested the Lord to stay here as a Jyotirlingam and bless everyone. Thus Mahadev assumed the name Bhimashankar and is ever present in this beautiful village. 

#Bhimashankar #Jyotirling #Temple #Maharashtra #River_Bhima #Mahadev #Shiva  #Parvati #Kamalaja #Tripurasura

#Stories from the #Ramayana for #ChildrenStories 6 - Sita's Swayamvaram

Janaka Maharaja was the wise and learned king of Mithila. He was known to be a just and able ruler. Once when the king was on a mission, he heard the cry of a child. He discovered a girl child in a furrow under a ploughed field. He lifted her up and finding nobody to claim her, took her home to his queen Sunaina.  Believing her to be the child of Bhumi Devi, (Mother Earth) they adopted the child and named her Sita. Janaka and Sunaina adored Sita and brought her up with great love and care. In time, they had another daughter named Urmila, who was even more attached to Sita. Janaka’s brother had two daughters called Mandvi and Shrutakirti. The four cousins grew up together happily.

Once, when Sita was playing with her sisters she discovered a beautiful bow placed ceremoniously on a table. Being curious, she lifted the bow. Janaka, who was watching the entire incident, was stunned. Sita, a young girl had lifted the divine Shiva Dhanush, which no one had ever been able to do. He knew that his daughter was not an ordinary child. To lift the divine bow, she had to be divine too.

Years later, when Sita grew up to marriageable age, Maharaja Janaka remembered this incident and decided to make that the backdrop of her Swayamvaram.  In those days, Swayamvarams were held by royal families, and kings and princes of various regions were invited, to allow their princess to choose the man whom she wished to marry. Likewise, Janaka, realizing that only a divine and strong person could string the Shiva Dhanush, pronounced a condition for Sita’s swayamvaram.

“The man who lifts and strings the Shiva Dhanush will be offered Sita’s hand in marriage,” he announced.

Sita’s beauty was incomparable and every king or prince in the nearby kingdoms wanted to marry her. Since invitations for the Swayamvaram had been sent far and wide, all the Kings and Princes were expected to assemble in Mithila. The same invitation had been given to Sage Vishwamitra. He accepted the invitation and went to Mithila with Rama and Lakshmana. He was received with great respect and humility by the Janaka Maharaja, who personally led him to the dwelling allotted for the Sage. In the evening Sage Vishwamitra sent Rama and Lakshmana to collect flowers for his nitya puja.

While they were plucking the beautiful flowers in the pushpa vatika, Sita and her sisters were going for worship at the nearby Gowri Mata temple. Rama’s glance fell on Sita and at once he was attracted by her incredible beauty. Lakshmana noticed Rama’s attraction and realizing that Sita was an incarnation Goddess Lakshmi, he folded his hands in humble prayer. Sita’s eyes too fell on Rama and she knew at once that Rama (the incarnation of Lord Mahavishnu) was the man she wanted to marry.  She ran towards the temple and prayed to Goddess Parvati to bless her and grant her wish that only Rama should be her husband.

The next day dawned. Kings and princes from many lands were present at the swayamvaram hall in Janaka Maharaja’s palace. It is believed that the powerful king of Lanka, Ravana, too was in attendance. One by one all the great kings and princes tried their hand at lifting the Shiva Dhanush, but failed. It was the turn of Ravana. Ravana was a devout Shiva bhakt, and the other kings expected him to life the bow. But he too tried and failed. Seeing the powerful kings fail one by one, Sita was happy. Her heart was with Rama, who was seated along with Lakshmana and Sage Vishwamitra watching the scene. But Janaka Maharaja was sad. He was wondering whether Sita would remain unmarried because of the condition that he had laid.

“Is there no one in this Sabha who can fulfill the condition for winning my daughter’s hand?” he lamented. “Is this world bereft of strong men?”

At this Lakshmana could not contain his anger. “When my brother Rama is in this Sabha, how can you even think or say such a thing?” he thundered.

“Calm down Lakshmana,” said Sage Vishwamitra.

He then spoke to the Janaka Maharaja. “These two boys with me are sons of Maharaja Dashrath of Ayodhya. They are learned, strong and wise, and have protected our yagna from terrible demons like Tataka, Subahu and Marich. So with your permission, dear Maharaja Janaka, let Rama try to string the Shiva Dhanush.”

Rama breaks Shiva Dhanush (Raja Ravi Varma [Public domain] via Wikipedia)

Janaka Maharaj looked at the Sage and nodded. Vishwamitra looked at Rama and asked him to try.

Rama took Sage Vishwamitra’s blessing, and walked up to the table where the Shiva Dhanush was placed. He gave a quick glance to Sita, who was praying to Goddess Parvati. Then Rama humbly and respectfully prostrated before the Shiva Dhanush. Lifting the divine bow with ease he strung the thread to the bow, but the force broke the bow into two with a huge sound.

At last there was a relieved smile on the face of Maharaja Janaka and his Queen Sunaina. Sita flanked by her sister and cousins, walked towards Rama with the Varmala and garlanded him shyly.  

But there was a thundering voice which stopped them. They turned to see Lord Parashuram angrily asking "Who has the temerity to break the Shiva Dhanush?"

Rama calmly answered, "I broke it."

Parashuram looks at him and realizes that Rama is Mahavishnu's avatar, and blesses the divine couple. He then leaves.

#Ayodhya #stories_for_children #Vishwamitra #Rama #Lakshmana  #Sita #Swayamvaram #Sita_swayamvar #Janaka #Sunaina #Mithila #Shiva_dhanush

#Stories from the #Ramayana for #ChildrenStories 5 - Tataka is Killed

Rama and Lakshmana walked along behind the Sage Vishwamitra. When they reached the forest, the Sage sat under the shade of a tree.

“We have come a long way. I am sure you both must be feeling hungry.” he said tenderly.

After a simple meal, the Sage taught them how to use divine weapons. He also gave them knowledge of mantras to defeat hunger and sleep, as that would be of use to them in later battles.

They then proceeded deep into the forest. There was a frightening air about the forest. Rama could sense it. So could Sage Vishwamitra, who at once stopped for a second.

“Rama, this is Tatakavan (the forest of the terrible Tataka.) Now, both of you should be careful."

"Who is this Tataka?" asked Rama.

"Tataka is the daughter of a Yaksha called Suketu. Suketu prayed to Lord Brahma, who blessed him with a daughter with immense strength. Tataka grew up and was married to Sunda. They had two sons Subahu and Marich. Sunda earned the wrath of Sage Agasthya who killed him. Enraged by her husband's death, Tataka started harassing the Sage, who cursed her to lose her beauty and get demonic characteristics.  Tataka and her sons Subahu and Marich are deadly demons. They live here nowand do not allow us to perform our yagnas in peace.  As soon as we start the sacred fire, they appear from somewhere and pour bones, animal blood and other hideous items to douse the fire.”

Even as he was talking, they heard a horrible sound that made the earth tremble. Rama and Lakshmana looked up to see a huge ugly looking demonness sleeping on a rock nearby. The terrible noise belonged to her snore.

“This is Tataka,” said the Sage. The boys were amazed at the sight of the gigantic Tataka. 

Image of Tadaka Vadh via Wikipedia, Raja Ravi Press [Public domain]

Hearing their voices, however, Tataka woke up to see who was brave enough to come near her. When she saw the two young boys with Maharishi Vishwamitra, she let out a deafening roar. She looked around and lifted a huge boulder and threw it with full force at them.

Rama at once sent an arrow which broke the boulder into a thousand pieces. Tataka was looking bewildered. But she soon brought a weapon in her hand and threw it. Rama’s arrow broke this weapon too. It was almost evening and the sun was beginning to set. Sage Vishwamitra knew that the strength of the demons increase after twilight and it would get difficult to vanquish them.

“Rama, kill Tataka immediately,” he ordered.

Rama hesitated to kill her as she was a woman. He had already maimed her with his arrows. But hearing the Sage’s orders, Rama sent forth an arrow aimed at Tataka’s heart, which killed her instantly. Realising the significance of Tataka’s death, all the Devas showered Rama and Lakshmana with flowers from heaven. Thus Rama began his mission of removing evil forces from the earth by first killing Tataka.

Later the Maharishi and other Rishis gathered around the two princes.

“I am going to start my yagna now,” said the Sage. “And I want you both to keep a watch for the demons Subahu and Marich. They will not keep quiet when they know that their mother has been klled.” 

The Sage started his Yagna along with the other sages. As if on cue, as soon as the sacred havan fire was lit, Subahu and Marich, already enraged by the death of their powerful mother, came to stop the yagna with a huge demon army. Lakshmana killed all the other demons while Rama killed Subahu. Another arrow left by Rama, threw Marich very, very far away. Happy that the three evil demons had been vanquished, the sages peacefully completed the yagna. 

On the next day a messenger arrived from Mithila Nagari, the kingdom of Janaka Maharaja. It was an invitation for Sage Vishwamitra to attend the Swayamvara ceremony of the King’s beautiful daughter, Sita. Vishwamitra asked Rama and Lakshmana to get ready to accompany him to Mithila Nagari.  

#Ramayana #Rama #Lakshmana #Vishwamitra #Tataka #Subahu #Marich #Epic #StoriesForChildren