SHRI
MALLIKARJUNA JYOTIRLINGA
CHAPTER TWO
Om Namah
Shivaya
INTRODUCTION
"Salutations
to Lord Ganesha. Today, I narrate to you the wonderful story of Mallikarjuna –
the second among the twelve Jyotirlingas."
This is not
merely a story – it is the tale of the glory of parents, the tale of the
balance between wisdom and strength, and that divine play of the oneness of
Shiva and Shakti, which teaches us – where Shiva is, there is Shakti, and where
Shakti is, there is Shiva.
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CHAPTER ONE
SHIVA-PARVATI'S
TWO SONS – GANESHA AND KARTIKEYA
This is a
very ancient tale... when even the gods wandered upon the earth.
Lord Shiva
and Mother Parvati had two sons – Ganesha and Kartikeya. Both were extremely
powerful, wise, and radiant. Ganesha was the embodiment of wisdom, while
Kartikeya was renowned for his valor and heroism.
One day,
Mother Parvati thought – "Both my sons are worthy. Now the time has come
for them to be married."
But the
problem was – whose marriage should happen first? Which of the two should be
given priority?
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CHAPTER TWO
THE
CIRCUMAMBULATION OF THE UNIVERSE – THE COMPETITION
Then Lord
Shiva and Mother Parvati set a competition for both sons.
"Whoever
circumambulates the entire universe and returns first, his marriage will happen
first."
Upon hearing
this, Kartikeya immediately mounted his vehicle, the peacock, and set off to
circumambulate the universe. He was fully confident – "I am the fastest. I
will surely win."
Ganesha
remained seated calmly. He showed neither haste nor eagerness. Then he slowly
rose, circumambulated his parents – Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati – seven
times, and bowed at their feet.
Everyone
asked in surprise – "Ganesha! Why did you not circumambulate the
universe?"
Then Ganesha
said with a smile –
"Parents
are the entire universe. Circumambulating them is equivalent to
circumambulating the universe. Bowing at their feet is the greatest
penance."
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CHAPTER
THREE
SHIVA'S
BLESSING – PRIORITY TO GANESHA
Lord Shiva
and Mother Parvati were extremely pleased with Ganesha's wisdom and humility.
Shiva said –
"O
Ganesha! You have attained true knowledge. You have understood that parents are
the center of creation. Therefore, your marriage shall happen first."
Ganesha was
married to Buddhi (Wisdom) and Riddhi-Siddhi (Prosperity and Accomplishment).
When
Kartikeya returned after circling the universe, he came to know that his
younger brother Ganesha had already been married.
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CHAPTER FOUR
KARTIKEYA'S ANGER
AND DEPARTURE TO SRISAILA
Kartikeya
became very angry. He felt that injustice had been done to him. He said –
"I
circumambulated the entire universe, and Ganesha only circumambulated our
parents. This is unfair!"
In anger,
Kartikeya mounted his peacock and set off towards the Srisaila mountain. He
made up his mind – "I shall remain a celibate for life. I have no need for
marriage now."
Upon
reaching the Srisaila mountain, Kartikeya began intense penance. He started
living there in solitude.
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CHAPTER FIVE
SHIVA-PARVATI'S
ARRIVAL AT SRISAILA
Mother
Parvati became extremely grief-stricken due to the separation from her son. She
kept saying again and again –
"My son
has gone far away. He is alone, and he is angry with me."
Lord Shiva
consoled Mother Parvati and said –
"Let us
go to Srisaila ourselves. Where our son is, there we shall also reside."
Lord Shiva
and Mother Parvati came to the Srisaila mountain and began to live there. It
was here that Lord Shiva came to be worshipped as Mallikarjuna.
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CHAPTER SIX
THE MYSTERY
BEHIND THE NAME MALLIKARJUNA
"Mallika"
means – Parvati (who is as beautiful as the Mallika flower).
"Arjuna"
means – Shiva (who is as firm and unyielding as the Arjuna tree).
Thus –
Mallikarjuna = the combined form of Parvati and Shiva. This is the symbol of the
oneness of Shiva and Shakti.
This place
is also a Shakti Peetha. Here resides Bhramaramba Devi – a form of Mother
Parvati herself.
"Where
Shiva is, there is Shakti; and where Shakti is, there is Shiva."
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CHAPTER
SEVEN
THE DIVINITY
OF SRISAILA – SPECIAL FEATURES
The Srisaila
mountain is also called the Kailash of the South. This place is extremely
beautiful – filled with lush green forests, cool breeze, and the melodious
sounds of birds.
Geographical
Features –
Srisailam is
located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
It is
situated on the banks of the Krishna river.
The temple
is located on a hill, and one has to climb steps to reach it.
Mythological
Significance –
The Skanda
Purana contains a detailed description of Srisaila.
This place
is sacred to both Shaiva and Shakta traditions.
It is
believed – that having darshan here destroys sins of many lifetimes.
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CHAPTER
EIGHT
THE TEMPLE'S
ARCHITECTURE AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The
architecture of the Srisaila temple is extremely grand and ancient. It is built
in the South Indian style.
Historical
Background –
The temple
is mentioned in texts dating back to the 7th century.
The Chalukya
and Vijayanagara rulers got this temple renovated.
Special
festivals are celebrated here during Navaratri and Mahashivaratri.
Temple
Features –
The temple
has two main lingas – one of Lord Shiva, and one of Mother Parvati.
The
Shivalinga here is self-manifested – believed to have appeared on its own.
The sanctum
sanctorum houses a massive idol of Nandi.
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CHAPTER NINE
THE STORY OF
MALLIKARJUNA – OTHER VERSIONS
According to
another legend, King Bhrigu performed penance to Shiva here. Pleased with his
devotion, Shiva granted him darshan and bestowed a boon.
There is
another belief – Sage Agastya also performed penance at this place. He prayed
to Shiva – "Lord, may you also reside in the South." Accepting his
prayer, Shiva took up residence at Srisaila.
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CHAPTER TEN
THE
SPIRITUAL MESSAGE – THE ESSENCE OF THE STORY
This story
carries a deep spiritual meaning –
1. The Glory
of Parents
Ganesha did
not circumambulate the universe, but only his parents. This proves – parents
are our universe. Serving them is the greatest worship.
2. Wisdom is
Greater than Strength
Kartikeya
had strength, but Ganesha had wisdom. Shiva gave priority to Ganesha's wisdom.
This teaches – there is no strength greater than wisdom.
3. The
Oneness of Shiva and Shakti
Mallikarjuna
= Parvati + Shiva. This teaches – where Shiva is, there is Shakti. Purusha and
Prakriti are complementary to each other.
4. The Importance
of Balance
Kartikeya
left in anger, but Shiva-Parvati came to him. This teaches – anger and ego
increase distance, but a parent's love always comes closer.
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CHAPTER
ELEVEN
INTERESTING
FACTS
First – The
Srisaila mountain is called the "Kailash of the South".
Second – The
temple of Bhramaramba Devi located here is one of the 52 Shakti Peethas.
Third – It
is believed that Adi Shankaracharya also visited this place.
Fourth –
Both the Kaveri and Krishna rivers are closely associated with this place.
Fifth – This
temple opens at sunrise and closes at sunset.
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CHAPTER
TWELVE
CONCLUSION
This story
of the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga teaches us –
"Wisdom
is greater than strength, serving parents is the greatest penance, and the
oneness of Shiva and Shakti is the foundation of creation."
Whoever
remembers Mallikarjuna with devotion, attains wisdom, strength, and devotion –
all three.
This is the
story of Mallikarjuna... this is the glory of the second Jyotirlinga.
Om Namah
Shivaya.
Jai
Mallikarjuna.
Jai
Bhramaramba Devi.
— The End —