Chapter 18 - The greatness of the Jyotirliṅga Oṃkāreśvara

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The sage said:—

1. O Sūta, O fortunate Sūta, a wonderful story has been narrated of Mahākāla, the phallic image of Śiva that protects his devotees.

2. O foremost of the wise, please describe the fourth Jyotirliṅga of the great lord, the destroyer of all sins, in Oṃkāra.

Sūta said:—

3. O brahmins, O great sages, I shall describe to you with pleasure how the phallic image of lord Śiva named Parameśa manifested from Oṃkāra. Let it be heard.

4. Once, the holy sage Nārada served with great devotion the phallic form of Śiva named Gokarṇa after going there.

5. From there the excellent sage came to Vindhya,^[1] the lord of mountains. He was duly worshipped by the mountain with great honour.

6. “Every thing is present in me. I am not deficient in anything.” It was with this obsession that he sat in front of Nārada.

7. On knowing his arrogance, Nārada the dispeller of pride heaved a sigh and stayed there. On hearing that Vindhya spoke again.

Vindhya said:—

8. “What deficiency do you observe in me that you heave this deep breath?” On hearing these words, the great sage Nārada spoke again.

Nārada said:—

9. Everything is present in you. But Meru is loftier. He is classified among gods. But you, never,

Sūta said:—

10. After saying this Nārada left the place and went in the manner he had come. Vindhya was distressed. “O fie upon my life”, he exclaimed.

11. “I shall propitiate Śiva, the lord of the universe and perform penance.” Deciding thus in Ms mind he sought refuge in Śiva.

12. With great pleasure he went to the place where Oṃkāra himself was present. There he made an earthen idol of Śiva.

13. Continuously for six months he propitiated Śiva. Engaged in meditation on Śiva he never moved from the place of penance.

14. On seeing the penance of Vindhya, Śiva, the delighted consort of Pārvatī, revealed to him his real form inaccessible even to the Yogins.

15. Delightedly he said—“Tell me what you wish in your mind. I am delighted with your penance. I fulfil the desires of my devotees.”

Vindhya said:—

16. O lord of gods, if you are delighted, give me such intellect as I may achieve my object. O Śiva, you are always favourably disposed towards your devotees.

Sūta said:—

17. On hearing that, lord Śiva thought within himself—“This Vindhya of deluded intellect desires for a boon capable of harassing others.

18. What shall I do? I shall grant him that boor which being auspicious for him may not harass others?”

Sūta said:—

19. Still Śiva granted him that excellent boon “O Vindhya, king of mountains, do as you please.”

20. At this time the gods and the sages worshipped Śiva and said—“You must stay here.”

21. On hearing the words of the gods, the delighted lord Śiva did so with pleasure for the happiness of the worlds.

22. The phallus image of Śiva known as Oṃkāra is twofold. In the Praṇava, Sadāśiva came to be known as Oṃkāra.

23. What is born of the earthen idol became Parameśvara. Both of them yield the desires of the devotees. O brahmins, they yield worldly pleasures and salvation.

24. The gods and the sages performed his worship then. After propitiating the bull-bannered deity they attained many boons.

25. O brahmins, the gods returned to their abodes. Vindhya was much delighted. He realised his object and eschewed his despair.

26. He who worships Śiva in this manner will not stay in the mother’s womb. He will obtain all the fruits desired. There is no doubt in this.

27. Thus I have narrated to you the fruit of worshipping Oṃkāra. Hereafter I shall mention the glory of Kedāra, the excellent phallic form of Śiva.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

It is one of the seven kula-parvatas. It forms the dividing line between the north and the south. It is the source of Narmadā, Sarasā and other rivers. Various legends are associated with its name.