SHRI
BHIMASHANKAR JYOTIRLINGA
CHAPTER SIX
Om Namah
Shivaya
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INTRODUCTION
"Salutations
to Lord Ganesha. Today, I narrate to you the wonderful story of Bhimashankar –
the sixth among the twelve Jyotirlingas."
This is not
merely a story – it is the tale of devotion, the tale of the slaying of a
demon, and that divine play of Shiva's grace which teaches us – when the Bhima
(ego, anger, desire) within us is destroyed by seeking refuge in Shiva, the
inner light manifests.
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CHAPTER ONE
BHIMASHANKAR
– IN THE LAP OF THE SAHYADRI
This is a
very ancient tale... when the Sahyadri mountains were covered with dense
forests.
Bhimashankar
is located in the Pune district of Maharashtra. It is nestled in the lap of the
Sahyadri mountains.
This place
is extremely beautiful – lush green forests, tall mountains, and cool breezes.
The origin of the Bhima river is also here.
"Bhimashankar
is called the 'Shiva Dham of natural beauty'. Coming here brings immense peace
to the mind."
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CHAPTER TWO
THE DEMON BHIMA
– SON OF KUMBHAKARNA
In ancient
times, a terrible demon named Bhima lived in this region.
Who was
Bhima? – He was the son of Kumbhakarna – who was himself Ravana's brother. That
is, Bhima was Ravana's nephew.
Bhima was
extremely powerful, cruel, and arrogant. He thought – "I am the sole king
of this entire region. Everyone must worship me."
He spread
his reign of terror throughout the Sahyadri region. He destroyed the hermitages
of the sages, terrorized the devotees, and imprisoned the kings.
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CHAPTER
THREE
KING
SUDHANVAN IS IMPRISONED
At that
time, the king of this region was Sudhanvan – who was extremely religious,
just, and a devotee of Shiva.
The demon Bhima
imprisoned King Sudhanvan.
The king was
thrown into the dungeon.
The royal
court was plundered.
The subjects
were terrorized.
Even in the
dungeon, King Sudhanvan kept remembering Lord Shiva. Tears flowed from his eyes
– but "Om Namah Shivaya" never stopped flowing from his lips.
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CHAPTER FOUR
THE PRAYERS
OF THE PEOPLE AND SHIVA'S APPEARANCE
When the
people came to know that their king had been imprisoned, they gathered
together. They thought – "Now only Shiva can protect us."
All the
devotees and sages together called out to Lord Shiva.
"O Lord!
Protect us. The demon Bhima has imprisoned our king. Our people are crying out
for help."
And then...
Lord Shiva appeared.
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CHAPTER FIVE
SHIVA'S FIERCE
FORM – VOLCANIC RADIANCE
This time,
Lord Shiva assumed a volcanic form – extremely radiant, blazing, and
terrifying.
His radiance
illuminated all directions. His roar made the earth tremble.
The demon
Bhima saw this sight – but by now, it was too late.
Shiva slayed
the demon Bhima with his trident.
"Immediately
upon the demon's death, all the devotees raised cries of victory. King Sudhanvan
was freed from the dungeon."
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CHAPTER SIX
THE BHIMA RIVER
– BORN FROM SHIVA'S SWEAT
There is
another wonderful legend –
When Shiva
slew the demon Bhima, he began to sweat.
That sweat
flowed down to the earth and became a river.
That river
was named – the Bhima river.
"The
origin of the Bhima river is also here – near Bhimashankar. This river is a
major river of Maharashtra."
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CHAPTER SEVEN
THE MYSTERY
BEHIND THE NAME BHIMASHANKAR
The name
"Bhimashankar" is composed of two words –
"Bhima"
– the demon Bhima (who was slain)
"Shankar"
– Lord Shiva
That is –
Shiva who destroyed the demon Bhima = Bhimashankar.
"This
is precisely why this Jyotirlinga came to be known as Bhimashankar."
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CHAPTER
EIGHT
THE DIVINE
HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE
Mythological
Belief –
Bhimashankar
is mentioned in the Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, and Linga Purana.
It is
believed that Lord Rama also worshipped here. It is said – Rama worshipped
Bhimashankar and sought blessings for the war against Lanka.
Historical
Background –
The temple
was built in the 13th century.
The Peshwa
rulers got this temple renovated.
In 1856, the
temple was rebuilt.
It is protected
by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
Modern
History –
Today, it is
a major pilgrimage site in Maharashtra.
Millions of devotees
visit here every year.
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CHAPTER NINE
THE TEMPLE'S
ARCHITECTURE AND SPECIAL FEATURES
The architecture
of the Bhimashankar temple is a blend of South Indian and Nagara styles.
Temple
Structure –
Style –
Blend of Nagara and Dravida styles
Sanctum
Sanctorum – Houses the self-manifested Shivalinga
Spire –
Massive and grand, 200 meters high
Courtyard –
Very large, with space for thousands of devotees
Other
Deities –
The temple
complex also houses other temples – Lord Ganesha, Mother Parvati, Lord Vishnu,
Nandi
Special
Feature –
The
Shivalinga is self-manifested – that is, it appeared on its own.
The origin
of the Bhima river is here.
The sanctum
sanctorum has a silver throne.
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CHAPTER TEN
BHIMASHANKAR
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
Bhimashankar
is not just a pilgrimage site – it is also a wildlife sanctuary.
Features –
Rare birds
and animals are found here.
It is home
to leopards, bears, and deer.
It is a
paradise for tourists and nature lovers.
"Here,
you can have darshan of Shiva in the lap of nature – a wonderful
experience!"
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CHAPTER
ELEVEN
FESTIVALS
AND SPECIAL RITUALS
Maha
Shivaratri –
On Maha
Shivaratri, special aarti and Rudrabhishek are performed here.
Thousands of
devotees gather here.
Shravan
Month –
During the
month of Shravan, the Monday fasts hold special significance.
Devotees
bring water from the Bhima river and perform abhishek on the Shivalinga.
Makar
Sankranti –
On Makar
Sankranti, special worship is performed here.
Taking a dip
in the Bhima river holds special significance.
Bhimashankar
Mela –
A large fair
is held here every year.
Devotees
come from far and wide.
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CHAPTER
TWELVE
INTERESTING
FACTS
First –
Bhimashankar is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas located in Maharashtra.
Second – The
origin of the Bhima river is here – which is a tributary of the Krishna river.
Third – The
Shivalinga of Bhimashankar is self-manifested – that is, it appeared on its
own.
Fourth – It
is believed – having darshan here liberates one from fear.
Fifth – It
is approximately 110 kilometers from Pune.
Sixth – It
is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
----------------------
CHAPTER
THIRTEEN
THE
SPIRITUAL MESSAGE – THE ESSENCE OF THE STORY
This story
carries a deep spiritual meaning –
1. The Bhima
Within –
FESTIVALS
AND SPECIAL RITUALS
Maha
Shivaratri –
On Maha
Shivaratri, special aarti and Rudrabhishek are performed here.
Thousands of
devotees gather here.
Shravan
Month –
During the
month of Shravan, the Monday fasts hold special significance.
Devotees
bring water from the Bhima river and perform abhishek on the Shivalinga.
Makar
Sankranti –
On Makar
Sankranti, special worship is performed here.
Taking a dip
in the Bhima river holds special significance.
Bhimashankar
Mela –
A large fair
is held here every year.
Devotees
come from far and wide.
--------------------
CHAPTER
TWELVE
INTERESTING
FACTS
First –
Bhimashankar is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas located in Maharashtra.
Second – The
origin of the Bhima river is here – which is a tributary of the Krishna river.
Third – The
Shivalinga of Bhimashankar is self-manifested – that is, it appeared on its
own.
Fourth – It
is believed – having darshan here liberates one from fear.
Fifth – It
is approximately 110 kilometers from Pune.
Sixth – It
is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
----------------------
CHAPTER
THIRTEEN
THE
SPIRITUAL MESSAGE – THE ESSENCE OF THE STORY
This story
carries a deep spiritual meaning –
1. The Bhima
Within
—
The End —