THE GLORY OF 12 JYOTIRLING

1. SOMNATH JYOTIRLING

This Jyotirlinga is established in the world famous temple named Somnath. This temple is situated on the bank of the sea in the Kathiawar region of Gujarat state. Earlier this area was known as Prabhas Kshetra. Here Lord Shri Krishna shot the arrows of a hunter named Jara. By making an instrument, he had dressed up his lilac. The story of Jyotirlinga here is given in the Puranas as follows

‘ Daksha Prajapati had twenty seven daughters. All of them were married to the moon god. But all the affection of the moon was only for one of them, Rohini. Due to this act, other daughters of Daksha Prajapati used to suffer a lot. He narrated this sad story to his father. Daksha Prajapati explained this in many ways to Chandradev. But it had no effect on his heart under the control of Rohini. Eventually, Daksha got angry and cursed him to become ‘decay’. Due to this curse, Chandradev immediately became devastated. As soon as they were decayed, their green work of coolness-precipitation on the earth stopped. There was uproar all around. Moon was also very sad and worried. Hearing his prayer, the gods Indra and Vasishtha etc. went to the grandfather Brahma for their salvation. Hearing all the things, Brahmaji said- ‘The moon should go to the holy Prabhas Kshetra with other gods and worship the Lord Mrityunjay for the release of his curse. His grace will surely destroy his curse and he will be disease free.According to his statement, Chandradev completed all the work of worshiping Lord Mrityunjay. While doing severe penance, he chanted ten crore Mrityunjayamantra. Pleased with this, Mrityunjaya – Lord Shiva gave him the boon of immortality. He said- ‘Chandradev! you don’t grieve Due to my blessings, you will not only get rid of your curse, but at the same time the words of Prajapati Daksha will also be protected. Every day in the Krishna Paksha your one art will decrease, but again in the Shukla Paksha, each and every art of yours will increase in the same order. In this way you will continue to get full moon on every full moon.’ The living beings of all the worlds were pleased with this boon of Lord Brahma, the grandfather who received the moon. Sudhakar Chandradev again started undoing the work of Sudha-Varshan in the ten directions.

Being freed from the curse, Chandradev along with other deities prayed to Lord Mrityunjay that you should reside here with Mother Parvati for the salvation of the living beings forever. Lord Shiva accepted this prayer and started living here with Mother Parvati in the form of Jyotirlinga.

The glory of this Somnath Jyotirlinga situated in the holy Prabhas Kshetra has been described in detail in Mahabharata, Shrimad Bhagwat and Skandapuranadi. One of the names of the moon is also Soma, he had done penance here considering Lord Shiva as his Nath-swami. Hence this Jyotirlinga is called Somnath. By its darshan, worship, worship, all the evil and evil deeds of the devotees after birth are destroyed. He becomes a vessel of the blessings of Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati. The path to salvation becomes easily accessible to them. All their worldly and transcendental actions automatically, spontaneously become successful.

2. SHRI MALLIKARJUN JYOTIRLING

This Jyotirlinga is situated on the Srisailam Parvat on the banks of the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh. This mountain is called Dakshinaka Kailas. Its glory and importance have been described in detail in the scriptures like Mahabharata, Shiva Purana and Padma Purana. The story of this Jyotirlinga in the Puranas is as follows

It is said that once upon a time, Lord Shankar’s two sons Shri Ganesh and Shri Swami Kartikeya started quarreling with each other for marriage. Everyone’s request was that I should be married first. Seeing them fighting and quarreling, Lord Shankar and Mother Bhavani said- ‘The one of you who will come back here after circling the whole earth, will be married first.’ Hearing this from his parents, Shri Swami Kartikeya immediately rushed to the earth for circumambulation. But for Ganeshji, this task was very difficult. One, his physique was gross, secondly his vehicle was also a mouse-rat. Well, how would he be able to equate Swami Karthikeya in the race? But his intellect was as subtle and sharp as his physique was. He quickly found an easy way to orbit the earth. After worshiping the parents sitting in front, they completed the earth circumambulation by doing seven rounds of them. This work of his was scripture-approved.

By the time Swami Kartikeya returned after circling the whole earth, Ganesha was married to two girls named ‘Siddhi’ and ‘Ruddhi’ and had also got two sons named ‘Kshem’ and ‘Labh’. Seeing all this, Swami Kartikeya went to the mountain of Krauncha very angry. Mother Parvati came there to persuade him. After reaching there, Lord Shankar appeared in thei form of Jyotirlinga and since then became famous as Mallikarjuna-Jyotirlinga. They were first worshiped with Mahika-flowers. This is the reason for getting the name Malkarjuna.

Another story is also told that at some time near this Shailparvat was the capital of King Chandragupta. For the prevention of any particular calamity, one of his daughters came out of the palace and came under the shelter of this mountain king and started living with the gopas here. The girl had a very good sign, the beautiful Shyama gi. Somebody used to steal milk from that cow’s milk in the night. One day, by chance, the princess saw the thief milking her and ran towards the thief in anger, but after reaching the cow, she saw that there was nothing other than the Shivling. After some time, the princess got a huge temple built on that Shivling. This Shivling is famous by the name of Malikarjuna. A huge fair is held here on Shivratri festival.

This mallikarjuna-Shivalinga and Tirtha Kshetra have been given great glory in the Puranas. By coming here, all the sattvik wishes of the devotees who worship-worship the Shivling are fulfilled. His love becomes steady at the feet of Lord Shiva. One becomes free from all kinds of obstacles, physical, divine, material. Devotion to Lord Shiva is going to take man on the path of salvation.

3. SHRI MAHAKALESHWAR JYOTIRLING

This most sacred Jyotirling is located in Ujjain city of Madhya Pradesh. Situated on the banks of the Punyasalila Kshipra-Shipra river, this Ujjain was famous in ancient times as Ujjaini. It was also called Avantikapuri. It is one of the most sacred saptapuris of India.

The story of this Jyotirlinga is told in the Puranas as follows – King Chandrasen used to rule in Ujjayini in ancient times. He was a supreme Shiva devotee. One day a five year old cowboy named Shrikar was passing by with his mother. Seeing the king’s worship of Shiva, he was very astonished and curious. He himself became eager to worship Shiva with similar materials. When he could not get the means of material, while returning, he picked up a piece of stone from the way. After coming home, installing the same stone in the form of Shiva, started worshiping him with utmost devotion with flowers, sandalwood etc. Mother came to call her for food, but she was not ready in any way to leave the worship. In the end, the mother got angry and picked up that piece of stone and threw it away. Being very sad because of this, the child started crying loudly calling Lord Shiva. In the end, he fell unconscious while crying. Seeing this devotion and love of the child towards himself, Ashutosh Lord Shiva became very pleased. As soon as the child came to his senses and opened his eyes, he saw that a very grand and very huge temple made of gold and gems stood in front of him. Inside that temple there is a very luminous, phosphorous, stunning Jyotirlinga stands out. The child, filled with happiness and joy, started praising Lord Shiva. When Mother got this news, she ran and hugged her beloved Lal. After reaching there King Chandrasen also appreciated the devotion and accomplishment of that child very much. Gradually a large crowd gathered there. In this, Hanumanji appeared at that place. He said- ‘Humans! Lord Shankar is the first among the gods to give quick fruits. Pleased with the devotion of this child, he has bestowed upon him such a fruit, which great sages and sages could not attain even by penance for crores of births. Dharmatya Nandgopa will be born in the eighth generation of this gopa-child. In Dwapara Yuga, Lord Vishnu will take Krishna incarnation and perform various pastimes there. Hanumanji disappeared after saying this. At that place, worshiping Lord Shiva with the rules, in the end Shrikar Gopa and King Chandrasen went to Shivdham.

Another story about this Jyotirlinga is told as follows: Once upon a time in Avantikapuri (Ujjayini), there lived a very brilliant Brahmin named Vedapathi Taponistha. One day a tyrannical demon named Dushan came there to disturb his penance. He had become very powerful because of Brahmaji. There was uproar all around because of his atrocities. Seeing the brahmin in trouble, Lord Shankar, the one who did the welfare of the soul, appeared there. He burnt that cruel tyrannical demon to ashes there with just a hunk. The Lord appeared there without a hoot and hence his name was Mahakal. That is why this most sacred Jyotirlinga is known as Mahakal.

The glory of this Jyotirlinga has been described in full detail in Mahabharata, Shiva Purana and Skanda Purana.

4. SHRI OMKARESHWAR /AMLESHWAR JYOTIRLING

This Jyotirlinga is situated on the banks of holy river Narmada in Madhya Pradesh. At this place, due to the splitting of Narmada into two streams, an island has been formed in the middle. This island is called Mandhata Parvat or Shivpuri. One stream of the river flows north and the other south of this mountain. The southernmost stream is considered to be the main stream. Sri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga temple is situated on this Mandhata mountain. In the past, Maharaj Mandhatana had pleased Lord Shiva with his penance on this mountain. That is why this mountain came to be called Mandhata-Parvat. One has to go through two chambers inside this Jyotirlinga-temple. Due to the darkness inside, the light keeps burning here continuously. Omkareshwarlinga is not man-made. Nature itself has created it. There is always water around it. The entire Mandhata mountain is believed to be the form of Lord Shiva. That is why it is also called Shivpuri. People worship it with devotion.

A huge fair is held here on the day of Kartiki Purnima. Here people offer gram dal to Lord Shiva. The night rituals are performed with great grandeur. Pilgrims must visit it.

There are two forms of this Onkareshwar Jyotirlinga. One is named after Amaleshwar. It is a short distance away from the over on the south bank of the Narmada. Despite being separate, both are calculated in the same way.

The story of the two forms of Linga is given in the Puranas as follows – Once Vidhyapawant performed hard worship of Lord Shiva with the earthly archana for six months. Pleased by his worship, Bhutabhavan Shankari appeared there. He blessed Vindhya with his desired boon. Many sages and sages also came there on the occasion of getting the boon of Vindhyachal. On his request, Shiva divided his linga named Omkareshwar into two parts. One was named Omkareshwar and the other was Amaleshwar. Even though the place and temple of both the sexes are separate, the existence and form of both are considered to be the same.

The glory of this Jyotirling has been described in detail in Shiv Purana. Describing the virtue of having darshan of Shri Omkareshwar and Shri Amaleshwar, the holy fruit of Narmada-bath has also been described. Every person must visit this area. The attainment of the best results of both the worldly and transcendental types becomes easily by the grace of Lord Omkareshwar. Artha, Dharma, Kama, all means of salvation are easily accessible to him. In the end, he also attains the supreme abode of Lord Shiva, Lokeshwar Mahadev.

Lord Shiva is the one who showers blessings on the devotees without any reason. She is an underdog. Then what to say about the good fortune of those who come here and see them? For him, all kinds of good virtuous paths are opened for ever and ever.

5. SHRI KEDARESHWAR JYOTIRLING / KEDARNATH DHAM

Shri kedareshwar Jyotirlinga is in Puranas and Shastras. The glory has been described time and again. This Jyotirlinga mountain is situated on a peak named Kedar of the Himalayas. The natural beauty of this place is made on sight. Kedareshwar Mahadev’s temple situated on the banks of river Punyamati Mandakini in the west of this peak gives us the message of moving towards religion and spirituality by its very nature. To the east of the peak is the most famous temple of Badrinath on the picturesque banks of Alaknanda. Alaknanda and Mandakini – These two rivers come down and join at Rudraprayag. This combined stream of both the rivers and downstream joins the Bhagirathi Ganges at Devprayag. In this way, even those bathing in His Holiness the Ganges get the touch of the water that washes the feet of Sri Kedareshwar and Badrinath.

This story has been given in the Puranas about the establishment of this very holy virtuous Jyotirlinga – the father of infinite gems, extremely pious, abode of ascetics, rishis, siddhas, deities, the great ascetic Shrinar and Narayan on a very beautiful horn named Kedar of the mountain king Himalaya for many years to please Lord Shiva. He did great penance. After several thousand years, he kept on living without food, standing on one leg and chanting the name of Shiva. Due to this penance, he was discussed in all the worlds. The deities, rishis, sages, yakshas, Gandharvas all started praising his sadhana and restraint.

Brahmaji, the father of Charachar, and Lord Vishnu, the sustainer of all, also started praising the austerity of the great ascetic Nar-Narayan. Lord Shankarji, the last incarnation of Bhutbhavna, also became pleased with his difficult sadhna. He appeared directly and gave darshan to both those sages. Nara and Narayana, overwhelmed by the darshan of Lord Bholenath and filled with joy, worshiped him with a variety of sacred hymns and mantras. Lord Shiva was very pleased and asked him to ask for a boon. Hearing this talk of Lord Shiva, both those sages said to him, ‘Devadhidev Mahadev! If you are pleased with us, then for the welfare of the devotees, please establish your form here forever and ever. By residing here, this place will become very holy in all respects. The people who come here and worship you will get your imperishable devotion. Lord! You must accept our prayer to establish your form here for the welfare and salvation of human beings.

Hearing his prayer, Lord Shiva accepted to reside there in the form of Jyotirlinga. This Jyotirlinga is known as Shri Kedareshwar Jyotirlinga because of its location on the Himalaya Shring named Kedar.

Whatever Nar and Narayan said about this Jyotirlinga and this holy place while asking Lord Shiva for a boon is literally true. By worshiping and worshiping this Jyotirlinga, devotees get cosmic fruits, along with immovable devotion to Shiva and attainment of salvation.

6. SHRI BHIMESHWAR JYOTIRLING

This Jyotirling is situated on the Brahmapur hill near Gauhati. This story has been given in Shivpuran about the establishment of this Jyotirlinga.

In ancient times there was a majestic demon named Bhima. He lived with his mother in Kamrup region. That great demon, the demon king Ravana. The younger brother was the son of Kumbhakarna. But he had never seen his father. Kumbhakarna was killed by Lord Rama before he regained his senses. When he attained puberty, his mother told him everything. Hearing about the killing of his father by Shri Ramchandra, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the Mahavali demon became very angry and furious. Now he constantly started thinking about the way to kill Lord Shri Hari. He did hard penance for a thousand years for the attainment of his desired. Pleased with his penance, Brahma gave him the boon of being victorious. Now that demon started to suffer all the living beings due to the effect of that boon of Brahma. He attacked Devlok and drove all the deities like Indra out of there. Now Bhima has got the right over the entire Devlok. After this he also defeated Lord Sri Hariko in the battle. After defeating Sri Hariko, he attacked Sudakshin, the supreme devotee of Shiva, and made him a prisoner along with his ministers and followers. In this way gradually he accumulated all his rights. The Vedas, Puranas, Shastras and Smritis have disappeared everywhere due to his atrocities.

He did not allow anyone to perform any religious act. In this way all the works of sacrifice, charity, penance, self-study etc. came to a halt. The sages, sages, and gods were frightened by the horrors of his tyranny.

He took refuge in Shiva and told him the sorrow of himself and all other beings. Hearing this prayer, Lord Shiva said, “I will kill that tyrannical demon very soon. He has also taken my dear devotee, Kamrup-king Sudakshin, as a prisoner along with his servants. That tyrannical Asura is no longer entitled to live any longer.” Seeing this assurance from Lord Shiva, the sages, sages and the gods returned to their respective places.

Here King Sudakshin, who was lying in the prison of the demon Bhima, meditated on Lord Shiva. He was offering prayers by placing the earthly Shivling in front of him. Seeing them doing this, the demon Bhima, in a fit of rage, attacked that earthly Shivling with his sword. But his sword could not even touch that linga that from within, Shankarji, the spiritual spirit, appeared there. He burnt that demon to ashes with his mere hoot.

Seeing this wonderful act of Lord Shiva, all the sages, sages and gods gathered there and started praising him. They prayed to Lord Shiva that Mahadev! You now reside here forever for the welfare of the people. This area has been described as impure in the scriptures. By your abode, it will become the most holy holy place. Lord Shiva accepted this prayer of all of them. There he started living forever in the form of Jyotirlinga. This Jyotirlinga of his became famous by the name of Bhimeshwar.

This story is given in full detail in Shivpuran (Adhyay 19 to 21). The glory of this Jyotirlinga is infallible. The fruit of its vision never goes in vain. All the wishes of the devotees are fulfilled by coming here.

7. SHRI KASHI VISHWANATH / VISHWESHWAR JYOTIRLING

This Jyotirlinga is located in the famous city of North India, Kashi(Varanasi). This city does not disappear even in the time of Holocaust. At that time, the Lord takes this holy city, his abode, on his trident and puts it back in its place at the time of creation. The original place of creation is also said to be this city. Lord Vishnu had pleased Lord Shankar by doing penance at this place with the desire of creation. Agastya Muni had also satisfied Lord Shiva by his penance at this place. The glory of this holy city is such that whosoever sacrifices his life here, he attains salvation. Lord Shankar preaches the ‘Tarak’ mantra in his ear. With the effect of this mantra, even the most sinful beings easily cross over the obstacles of the ocean of the universe.

This field is dead: sopi samsare na punarbhavet. That is, “even if a person who is attached to the objects of unrighteousness dies in this Kashikshetra, then he also does not have to come again in the bondage of the world.” Describing the importance of this city in the Matsya Purana, it has been said – “Kashi is the only supreme destination for the people without chanting, meditation and knowledge and suffering from sorrows. It is called the ‘unfree zone’.

Karkhand is on the north side of this most holy city, Kedarkhand in the south and Vishweshwarkhand in the middle. The famous Vishweshwar Jyotirlinga is located in this section. In the Puranas, this story has been given in relation to this Jyotirlinga.

Lord Shankar was living on Mount Kailas after accepting the offerings of Parvati. But Parvati did not like to spend married life in the father’s house there. One day she said to Lord Shiva- “You take me to your home. I do not like to stay here. All the girls go to their husband’s house after marriage, I have to stay in the father’s house.” Lord Shiva accepted his word. He came to his holy city Kashi with mother Parvati. Coming here, he was established in the form of Vishweshwar Jyotirlinga.

In the scriptures, the glory of this Jyotirlinga has been described in the form of Pushkal. By worshiping this Jyotirlinga man gets rid of all sins and austerities. Bhootbhavna Lord Shankara takes on himself all the burden of the yoga field of devotees who visit Sri Vishveshwara daily by rules. Such a devotee becomes an officer of his supreme abode. The grace of Lord Shiva always remains on him. Diseases, sorrows, sorrows and sorrows never go to him even after forgetting.

8. SHRI TRYAMBHKESHWAR JYOTIRLING

This Jyotirlinga is situated in 30km west from Nashik in Maharashtra state

This story has been given in Shivpuran about the establishment of this Jyotirlinga.

Once the letters of the Brahmins living in the tapovan of Maharishi Gautam got angry with his wife Ahalya on some matter. They inspired their husbands to disrespect the sage Gautam. Those brahmins worshiped Lord Shri Ganesh ji for this. Pleased with his worship, Ganesha appeared and asked him to ask for a boon. Those brahmins said – “Lord! If you are pleased with us, then somehow get sage Gautam out of this ashram.” Hearing this, Ganeshji explained to him not to ask for such a boon. But he remained adamant on his insistence. In the end, Ganeshji was compelled to obey him. In order to keep the mind of his devotees, he took the form of a weak singer and started grazing in the field of sage Gautama. Seeing the singers grazing the crop, the sage softly took a straw in his hand and rushed to make it run. On being touched by those straws, the cow died there and fell down. Now there is a big outcry. All the brahmins gathered and started criticizing the sage Gautam, calling them cow killers. Sage Gautam was very surprised and saddened by this incident. Now all those brahmins told him that you should leave this ashram and go somewhere far away. We will also incur sin by being near a cow killer. Being compelled, sage Gautama with his wife Ahalya went to live a kos away from there.Started. But those Brahmins made it difficult for them to stay there too. They started saying – “Due to the killing, you no longer have any right to perform the work of Veda-recitation and sacrifice.” The sage Gautama requested the Brahmins to tell me any remedy for my atonement and salvation. Then he said- “Gautam! You should circumambulate the whole earth three times by telling your sins to everyone everywhere. Then come back and fast here for a month. After this you will be purified after doing 101 rounds of ‘Brahmagiri’ or by bringing here Gangaji and bathing in their water. Worship Lord Shiva with one crore earthly Shivalingas. After that again take a bath in Gangaji and circumambulate this Brahmagiri 11 times. Then bathing the earthly Shivalinga with hundred pots of holy water will save you.” According to the Brahmins, Maharishi Gautam, having completed all those tasks, started worshiping Lord Shiva by becoming completely three with his wife. Pleased with this, Lord Shiva appeared and asked him to ask for a boon. Maharishi Gautam said to him – “Lord! I want you to free me from the sin of killing cows.” Lord Shiva said- “Gautam! You are always, absolutely sinless. Cow slaughter was done to you by deceit. I want to punish the brahmins of your ashram who have done this by deceit.” Gautam said – “Lord! I have received your darshan because of him. Now don’t be angry with him considering him as my supreme interest.” Many sages, sages and gods gathered there, approving Gautam’s words and prayed to Lord Shiva to reside there forever. He accepted his advice and settled there under the name of Tryambak Jyotirlinga. The Ganges brought by Gautamji also started flowing nearby by the name of Godavari. This Jyotirlinga is the bestower of all virtues.

9. SHRI VAIDHYANATH DHAM JYOTIRLING

This Jyotirlinga is situated in Santhal Pargana of Bihar state. It is great in both scripture and folk. Its glory was described in detail

There is this story about it’s establishment. Once the demon king Ravana went to the Himalayas to get the darshan of Lord Shiva. He did great penance for it. He cut his heads one by one and started offering them on the Shivling. Thus he cut off his nine heads and put them there. When he was ready to cut off his tenth and last head, Lord Shiva appeared before him very pleased and satisfied. Holding the hand of Ravana, who was ready to cut his head, he stopped him from doing so. His nine heads were also joined as before and being very happy asked him to ask for a boon.

Ravana asked Lord Shiva in the form of a boon to take that linga to his capital Lanka. Lord Shiva gave him this boon but also imposed a condition with him. He said, ‘You can carry it, but if you put it somewhere on the way, it will become immovable there, you will not be able to pick it up again. Accepting this, Ravana took that Shivling and left for Lanka. While walking, he felt the need to take a short break at one place on the way. He left that Shivlinga in the hand of an Ahir and went for the retirement of Laghu Shanka(Pee). that ahirko

The weight of the Shivling seemed to be too much, he could not handle it. Forced, he put the shivling there on the ground. When Ravana came back, even after trying a lot, he could not lift that Shivling in any way. In the end, being helpless, making his thumb impression on that holy Shivling, leaving it there, he returned to Lanka. Thereafter the deities like Brahma, Vishnu etc. came there and worshiped that Shivling. In this way, having established him there, they returned to their respective abode. This Jyotirlinga is known as Shri Vaidyanath.

Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is the giver of infinite fruits. It is eleven fingers high. On top of this is a thumb-shaped pit. It is said that this is the same mark that Ravana made with his thumb. Here there is a law to bring water of pilgrimages from far and wide. The glory of this Jyotirlinga is also very famous for the cure of diseases. It has been told in the Puranas that a person who has darshan of this Jyotirlinga gets rid of all his sins. Lord Shiva’s grace always remains on him. Physical, divine, material sufferings never come to him even by forgetting. By the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he gets rid of all obstacles, all diseases and sorrows. He attains the supreme peaceful abode of Shiva. A person who is blessed by Shiva is pleasing to the whole world. All his actions are performed by dedicating him to Lord Shiva. He has darshan of Lord Shiva in the whole world. He has a feeling of love and kindness towards all beings. In all the differences, he gets an indistinct vision. There is an absence of jealousy, envy, animosity, hatred, anger towards any living being. Such a devotee is always engaged in the welfare and well being of all. We must definitely get this unfailing fruit of devotion to Lord Shiva.

10. NAGESHWAR JYOTIRLING

This famous Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva is situated at a distance of about 17 miles from Dwarkapuri in Gujarat province.

In relation to this Jyotirlinga, this story has been given in the Puranas – a great god named Supriya. and was a virtuous Vaishya. He was an exclusive devotee of Lord Shiva. He was constantly engrossed in their worship, worship and meditation. He used to do all his work by offering it to Lord Shiva. He was completely engrossed in Shivarchan by thought, word and deed. A demon named Daruk used to be very angry because of his devotion to Shiva. He did not like this worship of Lord Shiva in any way. He used to constantly try that there should be obstacles in the worship of that Supriya. Once Supriya was going somewhere in a boat. Seeing this opportune moment, the evil demon Daruk attacked that boat. He caught all the passengers on the boat and took them to his capital and imprisoned them. Supriya started worshiping Lord Shiva according to his routine in the prison too. He also started giving inspiration to other captive travelers as well. When Daruk heard this news about Supriya from his servants, he got very angry and came to that prison. Supriya was sitting at that time, meditating at the feet of Lord Shiva, with both eyes closed. that monster did it

Seeing the pose, scolding him in a very horrific voice said – ‘Hey Duvaish, closing his eyes, what troubles and conspiracy is he thinking of doing here at this time?’ Even after saying this, the samadhi of the godly Shiva devotee Supriya Vaishya was not disturbed. Now he got mad at the great terrifying monster named Darun. He immediately ordered his followers to kill Supriya Vaishya and all the other prisoners, Supriya was not at all disturbed and frightened by this order. With a sincere spirit and a concentrated mind, he started calling upon Lord Shiva for the liberation of himself and other prisoners. He had full faith that my beloved Lord Shiva would definitely deliver me from this calamity. Hearing her prayer, Lord Shankarji immediately appeared in the form of a Jyotirlinga sitting on a shining throne in a high place in that prison. In this way, giving a darshan to Supriya, he also gave him his Pashupata-astra. At that time, after killing the demon Daruk and his assistants, Supriya went to Shivadham. According to the orders of Lord Shiva, this Jyotirlinga was named as Nageshwar.

The philosophy of this holy Jyotirlinga has been given great glory in the scriptures. It has been said that one who listens with devotion to the story of its origin and greatness, after getting rid of all sins and enjoying all the pleasures, will finally reach the most sacred divine abode of Lord Shiva.

11. SHRI SETUBAND RAMESHWARAM JYOTIRLING

This Jyotirlinga was established by Maryada Purushottam Lord Shri Ramchandraji. This story is told about it – when Lord Shri Ramchandra was going to climb the Lanka, then at this place he saw the Shivling from the sandbank of the beach. Made him worship. It is also said that Lord Rama was drinking water while staying at this place that there was a voice from the Akash that ‘Do you drink water without worshiping me? He happily gave this boon to Lord Shri Ram. Lord Shiva also accepted everyone’s prayer to reside there in the form of Jyotirlinga for the welfare of the people. Since then this Jyotirlinga is sitting here.

A different story is told about this Jyotirlinga in this way, when Lord Shri Ram was returning after killing Ravana, he made his first stop on the Gandhamadan mountain across the ocean. There many sages and sages came to him for his darshan. While giving respect to all of them, Lord Ram told them that because of killing Ravana, the descendant of Pulastya, I have committed the sin of killing Brahma, please tell me any way to get rid of it. Hearing this, all the sages present there

The sages said with one voice that you should establish Shivling here. By this you will get rid of the sin of killing Brahma. Lord Auram accepted this and ordered Hanumanji to go to Kailas mountain and bring Shivling from there. Hanumanji immediately

He reached there but he did not see Lord Shiva there at that time. So he sat there and started doing penance to get his darshan. After some time, Hanumanji returned with the Shivling after receiving Shiva’s darshan, but by then the linga had been established here by Sitaji due to the apprehension of passing of auspicious time.

Hanumanji felt very sad seeing all this. He narrated his woes to Lord Shri Ram. The Lord told Hanumanji the reason for the establishment of the linga in advance and said that if you want, remove this linga by uprooting it from here. Hanumanji was very pleased and started uprooting that linga, but even after trying a lot, he did not budge. In the end, he tried to uproot that Shivling by wrapping it in his tail, yet it remained steadfast as it is. On the contrary, Hanumanji was shocked and fell unconscious after a kosher distance. Blood started flowing from his body. Seeing this, all the people got very upset. Mother Sitaji started moaning while moving her hands on Hanuman’s body, dearer than her son. When the unconsciousness was removed, Hanumanji saw Lord Shri Ram in front of him in the form of Param Brahm. The Lord enlightened him by tellijng him the glory of Shankarji. Establishment of the linga brought by Hanumanji was also done nearby. Its glory is described in detail in Skanda Purana.

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12. SHRI GHUSHMESHWAR /GRISHNESHWAR JYOTIRLING

This is the last Jyotirling of the twelfth Jyotirlinga. It is also called Ghushmeshwar, Ghusneshwar or Ghrishneshwar. It is located near Verulgaon, twelve miles from Daulatabad in Maharashtra state.

About this Jyotirlinga, this story has been given in the Puranas – In the south country there lived a very brilliant ascetic Brahmin named Sudharma near Devgiri Parvat. His wife’s name was Sudeha. There was a lot of love between the two. He didn’t have any kind of trouble. But they had no children. Astrological calculations revealed that there could be no child birth from Sudeha’s womb. After a lot of insistence on Sudeha’s children, Sudharmaka got her second marriage done to her younger sister. Was interested He At first the Brahmin deities did not like this. But in the end he had to bow down to Patrika’s insistence. They could not avoid his request. He married his wife’s younger sister Ghushma and brought him home. Ghushma was a very humble and virtuous woman. She was an exclusive devotee of Lord Shiva. She used to make one hundred and one earthly Shivling every day and worship him with true devotion of heart. A few days later, by the grace of Lord Shiva, a very beautiful and healthy child was born from her womb. With the birth of the child, both Sudeha and Ghushma did not get beyond the joy. Both the days were passing very smoothly. But I don’t know how, after a few days, a bad thought took birth in Sudeha’s mind. She started thinking, I have nothing in this house. Everything is gushmaka. She also took possession of my husband. The child is also his. this idea slowly

His mind started growing. Here that child of Ghushmaka was also growing up. Slowly he became young. He got married too. By now the nectar of Sudhamki’s bead had taken the form of a huge tree. Finally one day he killed Ghushma’s young son while sleeping at night. Taking his dead body, he threw it in the same pond in which Ghushma used to throw the earthly Shivlings every day. In the morning everyone came to know about this. There was chaos in the whole house. Both Sudharma and her daughter-in-law started crying bitterly, beating their heads. But the worship of Lord Shiva remained engrossed like Ghushma’s daily routine. Like nothing happened. After finishing the puja, she went to drop the earthly Shivling in the pond. When she started returning from the pond, at the same time her beloved red was seen coming out of the pond. He came like always and fell at Ghushma’s feet. As if coming from somewhere nearby. At the same time Lord Shiva also appeared there and started asking for a boon. He was furious at Sudehaki’s heinous act. He seemed eager to slit his throat with his trident. With folded hands, Ghushman said to Lord Shiva – ‘Lord! If you are pleased with me, forgive that unfortunate sister of mine. Surely he has committed a most heinous sin. But by your mercy I got my son back. Now forgive him and Lord! I have one more prayer, for the welfare of the people, you should reside at this place forever and ever.’ Lord Shiva accepted both of these things. Appearing in the form of Jyotirlinga, he started residing there. Due to being the adoration of Sati Shiva devotee Ghushma, he became famous here by the name of Ghushmeshwar Mahadev.

The glory of Ghushmeshwar Jyotirlinga has been described in great detail in the Puranas. His philosophy is unfailingly fruitful for both the world and the afterlife.