Chapter 23 - Meghanādeśvara (meghanāda-īśvara-liṅga)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: The wicked rule of King Madāndha caused a terrible drought. Gods approached Viṣṇu who directed them to this Liṅga. By propitiating this Liṅga, a heavy shower was caused by thundering clouds (meghanāda). Hence the name of this Liṅga [i.e., Meghanādeśvara].

1-10. O goddess, listen to (the story of) Meghanādeśvara Liṅga, the twenty-third deity. Merely by seeing it, all the Siddhis are attained.

O great goddess, Yoga and Kṣema (acquisition and security of things acquired), and good rainfall have kings as their cause. The subjects, pestilences, death, fears, Kṛtayuga, Tretā, Dvāpara, and Kaliyuga—all these have kings at their root. A king is the basic cause of Dharma, O Pārvatī. Once in this world there was a king named Madāndha. He was wicked and egotistic. He was a thorn unto Devas and Brāhmaṇas. He ruled during the period of transition between Dvāpara and Kali. Due to his fault, O comely lady, there was a great drought extending to twelve years. Indra, the god of rain, did not bring in the showers. The Lord was antagonistic. The clusters of clouds did not appear from anywhere even at the close of the nights. There was but little trickle of water in the rivers. In some places, the rivers completely disappeared. They had to desist from the performance of Yajñas, study of Vedas, utterance of Vaṣaṭ and other auspicious words and phrases. Agricultural enterprises, breeding of cows and cattle, trading activities—all became doomed. There was chaos among people who were reduced to bare skeletons. Cities were practically deserted and void. Rural settlements were reduced to ashes. In the absence of cows, goats, horses and buffaloes, people began to eat one another. Brāhmaṇas in their extreme misery left off their penance groves and hermitages and wandered here and there. They became doomed, ruined and defunct.

11-20. The entire creation including mobile and immobile ones, became eradicated. In the meantime, Śakra and other Devas too became excessively frightened. They sought refuge in Lord Janārdana, the Lord of Devas, worthy of being a refuge.

There is the charming Śvetadvīpa (White Island) on the Northern shore of the Ocean of Milk. It is splendid and the qualities of the worlds of Brahmā and others cannot be compared to those of this Śvetadvīpa. It is always pleasing, quiescent and as lustrous as a crore of suns. The palaces, beds and seats can be placed anywhere according to one’s wishes. It is brightened by precious stones such as diamond, sapphire, ruby, lunar crystal, etc. It is perfectly free from all kinds of ailments leading to old age and fear of death. In that island, O goddess, the Lord as refulgent as a crore suns was present.

The Devas prostrated before him with eight limbs touching the ground. Then they eulogized: “You alone are Brahmā, Rudra and Mahendra, the most excellent one among Devas. You are the creator and annihilator of the worlds, the immutable source of origin. You are thus the greatest truth, the greatest austerity, the greatest and holiest path; O Lord, you are the greatest Yajña, the greatest Hautra (worthy of being adored by Homa), the greatest abode. They call you the greatest Puruṣa.” Thus the Lord of Devas was eulogized by them, O lady of excellent countenance. Thereupon Kṛṣṇa asked the Devas: “O Suras, what can I do unto you?” It was submitted thus to Hari by the Devas who were afflicted by the drought: “O Lord, may the means be told so that there shall be contentment and nourishment.” After meditating Keśava said:

21-31. “O Devas, ye all do go to the splendid Mahākālavana. Formerly a Liṅga that causes shower was installed there by the clouds. All rain-producing (showering) clouds are in that Liṅga. Due to the greatness of that Liṅga there will be rainfall surely. O Suras, it is situated to the north-east of Lord Pratīhāreśvara.”

O Pārvatī, on hearing the words of Vāsudeva the Devas came to Mahākālavana where the excellent Liṅga was present. Seeing the charming deity they eulogized with great devotion: “Obeisance to you, O Maheśa. Obeisance to the infinite one, to the garlanded one. Obeisance to you of the fiery form. Obeisance to the beautiful one. Obeisance to Yoga, to Veda; obeisance to you with tawny matted hairs. Obeisance to the Lord with infinite knowledge as (your) body. Obeisance to the powerful Lord incarnate. Obeisance to the one of bright, boisterous laughter. Obeisance to the Lord in the form of peacock. Obeisance to you, the benefactor. Obeisance to the Pināka-wielding one. Obeisance to the destroyer, to the threeeyed one conducive to the welfare (of the world). Obeisance to you. Obeisance to you, the multi-formed one. Obeisance to you of incomprehensible form. Obeisance to the embodiment of Yoga. Obeisance to you always. O Śarva, O Lord, the entire world is lost. Everything is afflicted with drought. Save us who have sought refuge in you, by means of excellent rain, O Lord of the chiefs of Devas.”

In the meantime, the clouds of the season with the refulgence of shining coal rose up from the middle of the Liṅga making the firmament reverberate. Clashing and dashing one another with great speed they showered rain on the earth.

32-41. Everything became lustreless. Nothing was clearly seen. The ten quarters shone with thick dense darkness overspreading them. They were delighted with the greatness of the Lord of Devas. The Devas attained great happiness. All those excellent ones appeared as though they imbibed nectar. Thereafter the clouds disappeared reducing the darkness. Cool breezes blew. The ten quarters became calm. The brilliant constellations of pure lustre circumambulated the Moon. The Planets ceased to be malefic. The seas became calmed down. By the power of this Liṅga great sages became free from grief; Gandharvas sang sweetly. There was creation once again by the power of the Liṅga. They adored it and gave it a name true to its meaning. The Devas became much pleased on observing the greatness of this Liṅga. Its name will be Meghanādeśvara.

O my beloved one, the narrative of Meghanādeśvara has been recounted to you. Men all over the earth will become contented and blessed by its power. By seeing this Liṅga, there shall be shower as one desires. One who bathes the Liṅga is honoured in Rudraloka for thousands of crores of Kalpas and hundreds of crores of Kalpas. O Pārvatī, even there will be superabundance of shower on the earth, where its (Liṅga’s) glory is read and recited.