Sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiv in South India: Srisailam and Rameshwaram
Saurastre Somanatham Ca Shrishaile Mallikarjunam |
Ujjayinyaam Mahakalam-Omkaaram-Amaleshvaram ||1||
Paralyam Vaidyanatham Ca Dakinyam Bhimashankaram |
Setubandhe Tu Ramesham Nagesham Darukavane || 2 ||
Varanasyam Tu Vishvesham Tryambakam Gautami-tatte |
Himaalaye Tu Kedaaram Ghushmesham Ca Shivaalaye ||3||
Etaani Jyotirlingani Sayam Pratah Patthen-Narah |
Sapta-Janma-Krtam Papam Smarannena Vinashyati ||4||
This sacred verse, composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, describes the significance of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiv. It is believed that a Sadhak who devotedly chants the names of these Jyotirlingas every morning, is liberated from the sins of seven lifetimes. Regular recitation of this mantra fulfills all wishes. Such is the divine glory of Shiv Shankar Bholenath, that just a sight of these Jyotirlingas can liberate a person from all sins.
In this blog, we will explore two of the holy Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiv and their spiritual significance.
Highlights of the blog:
- What is a Jyotirling?
- Names of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiv
- Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Devasthanam: History, Rituals, and Significance
- Rameshwaram Jyotirling: Sacred Origins & Significance
What is a Jyotirling?
(A Jyotirling is a symbol representing Bhagwan Shiv)
Lord Shiv is the supreme deity revered as the God of Gods (Mahadev). He manifests on Earth as the 12 Jyotirlingas. The word Jyotirling comes from two Sanskrit words: Jyoti, meaning light, and Ling, meaning a symbol. Thus, a Jyotirling represents the radiant form of Lord Shiva, manifesting as a divine pillar of light. This form has neither a beginning nor an end.
The twelve Jyotirlingas are considered Swayambhu (self-manifested) forms of Lord Shiv. In the Shiv Puran and Nandi Upapuran, Lord Shiv himself declares:
“I am present everywhere, but I reside especially in twelve forms and places as Jyotirlingas.”
Names of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiv
The 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiv are located across different regions of India. Each Jyotirling carries deep spiritual significance; there are unique Pauranic kathas associated with it. According to the Shiv Puran, the following are the 12 Jyotirlingas:
- Somnath (Gujarat)
- Mallikarjun (Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh)
- Mahakaleshwar (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh)
- Omkareshwar (Madhya Pradesh)
- Kedarnath (Uttarakhand)
- Bhimashankar (Maharashtra)
- Kashi Vishwanath (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
- Trimbakeshwar (Maharashtra)
- Vaidyanath (Baidyanath Dham, Jharkhand)
- Nageshwar (Gujarat)
- Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu)
- Grishneshwar (Maharashtra)
Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Devasthanam: History, Rituals, and Significance
(Mallikarjuna Jyotirling)
srisaila sikharam drushtwa punarjanma na vidyat
- Srisaila Khand, Skand Puran
(Meaning: Just the sight of the Srisailam top (temple) liberates the soul from the cycle of birth and death)
The Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is situated in the dense forests of the Nallamala Hills on the banks of the Krishna River. This ancient temple is revered as an important pilgrimage site. The Sanskrit word ‘Bhramar’ means a bumblebee. Devi took the form of a bee to worship Lord Shiv at this site and came to be known as Ma Bhramaramba. It is also believed that Lord Shiv resided here in the form of the Arjuna Vriksha, entwined with Jasmine (mallika) creeper, symbolising Ma Parvati. Hence, Lord Shiv came to be known as Lord Mallikarjuna.
A Jyotirling and a Shakti Peeth
Many people wonder if the Mallikarjuna Jyotirling is a Shakti Peeth. Well, it is indeed. Long ago, when Ma Parvati asked Lord Shiv about his most desired place apart from Kailash Parvat, he chose Srisailam. Srisailam temple is recognised as both a Jyotirling (Lord Shiv’s shrine) and a Shakti Peeth (Devi’s shrine), making it one of the rarest and most powerful spiritual destinations in the Hindu tradition.
Srisailam is also known as Srigiri, Sirigiri, Sriparvatam, and Srinagam.
Scriptures mention that Lord Narasimha in Satyug, Lord Ram alongside Ma Sita in Tretayug, the Pandavas in Dwaparayug, and many yogis and rishis, including sage Agastya and sage Vashishth in Kalyug, have visited Srisailam and got the blessings of Sri Bhramarambika Devi and Mallikarjuna Swamy.
Pauranic Katha: The Legend Behind the Mallikarjuna temple
(Ma Bhramaramba, Sri Sailam)
Srisailam has been a sacred land since ancient times. There are numerous legends associated with its origin. Let us journey into the glorious past of this sacred Jyotirling.
- Lord Kartikeya’s Disappointment
As mentioned in the Shiv Puran, Lord Shiv and Ma Parvati faced a dilemma about which of their sons, Lord Ganesh or Lord Kartikeya, should be married first. To resolve this, they announced a contest. The son who could circle the earth first would be married first.
According to scriptures, parents represent the entire universe. With this thought in mind, instead of circling the world, Lord Ganesh circumambulated around his parents, Lord Shiv and Ma Parvati. They were very pleased by Lord Ganesh’s wisdom. He was declared the winner and was married to Goddess Riddhi (prosperity) and Goddess Siddhi (spiritual power).
When Lord Kartikeya returned and learned what had happened, he felt hurt and angry. He left for Kraunch Giri (Karnataka) to live as a celibate. Saddened, Lord Shiv and Ma Parvati followed him and took residence on a nearby mountain as Mallika and Arjuna. Thus, as Mallikarjuna Jyotirling and Devi Bhramaramba in Srisailam, Lord Shiv and Ma Parvati decided to stay close to their son. It is believed that at the end of every fortnight, they visit him, Lord Shiv on Amavasya and Ma Parvati on Purnima.
Legends also state that Lord Ram, during his exile, visited Srisailam and offered prayers to Lord Mallikarjuna. The Pandavas are also said to have worshipped here during their time in the forest.
- Killing the demon Arunasur
The Durga Saptashati mentions a legend about the demon Arunasura: Lord Brahma had blessed Arunasura that he could not be killed by a living being with two or four legs. Therefore, Devi Ma assumed the form of Bhramari (Goddess of bees), creating thousands of six-legged bees from her body. These bees killed Arunasura, and Devi Ma resided in her Bhramarambika form at Srisailam.
- Ma Bhramarambika as Nada Vidya Swaroopini
(Devi as Ma Bhramaramba)
Ma Bhramaramba is recognised as the highest form of knowledge of sound. In Srisailam, she manifests as ‘Naad Vidya Swaroopini’ (knowledge of sound) in the form of Bhramari Pranayam (bumble bee breath). In the Srisailam tradition, Bhramari Pranayam is associated with Rakta Varna Kundalini (Red-coloured Kundalini). Performing this pranayam creates sounds that vibrate through one's forehead, touching all five senses and the five life forces that guard humans. In an attempt to listen to these sounds, devotees often place their ears at the backside of Devi's courtyard at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple.
Rameshwaram Jyotirling: Sacred Origins & Significance
(Rameshwaram Jyotirling)
Among the many names of Lord Shiv are Ramanath and Rameshwar, meaning Lord Ram’s Ishta. The Rameshwaram temple or Ramanathaswamy Temple is located on Rameshwaram Island in Tamil Nadu.
This holy shrine has a deep spiritual connection to the epic and Itihasa, the Ramayana. Sri Ram had worshipped Lord Shiv here by establishing a sand Shivling. This Jyotirling is revered for offering prayers to one’s ancestors for their liberation (Pitru Moksh). A major attraction for visitors is the majestic 17.5-foot-tall Nandi statue.
Pauranic Katha:The Sacred Legend of Rameshwaram Jyotirling
(Lord Ram praying to the sand Shivling)
There are many sacred legends associated with Rameshwaram Jyotirling. According to the Shiv Mahapuran, before crossing the ocean to reach Lanka, Sri Ram created a Shivling with sand and performed intense penance to seek the blessings of Mahadev. Lord Shiv granted Lord Ram victory over Ravan and agreed to manifest as the Ramanath Jyotirling at Rameshwaram.
Another fascinating legend is mentioned in the Linga Puran. After the Lanka war, the compassionate heart of Lord Ram was filled with remorse. Ravan, apart from being a powerful king, was a great scholar and the son of a Brahmin, Sage Vishrava. Hence, killing Ravan was considered as Brahma-hatya (the sin of killing a Brahmin).
To atone for this sin, Lord Ram prayed to Bhagwan Shiv. As advised by the Rishis, Lord Ram decided to establish a Shiv temple and a Lingam. Sri Hanuman, always eager to serve his Lord Ram, set out to bring a Shivling from Kashi at Lord Ram’s request. Meanwhile, Rishi Agastya chose an auspicious time for the ritual in accordance with Agama tradition. However, Lord Hanuman could not return in time. To honour the auspicious moment, Ma Sita made a Shivaling from sand. Lord Ram chanted holy mantras, offered flowers, and prayed to Mahadev for forgiveness.
It is believed that just as worship was concluding, Lord Hanuman arrived, carrying two Lingams. He was deeply saddened that he could not bring the Lingam in time for his Lord. In distress, Hanuman tried to lift the sand Lingam with his tail, but failed. To honour Lord Hanuman’s service, Lord Ram named one of the Lingams as Kashi Vishwanath or Kashi Lingam, and declared that devotees visiting Rameshwaram must first worship the Kashi Lingam of Hanuman and then the Ram Lingam.
The Rameshwaram Jyotirling has deep spiritual significance. It is a living symbol of the divine union of Sri Ram’s devotion and the essence of Lord Shiv. Every year, thousands of devotees visit this sacred temple to seek blessings for their spiritual fulfillment.
In this blog, we read about two major Jyotirlingas located in South India. The upcoming blogs will explore the legends and spiritual significance of the Jyotirlingas situated in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and other parts of the country.
Har Har Mahadev!
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts.
Leave a comment