Chapter 51 - Śūleśvara (śūla-īśvara-liṅga)

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Note: This Liṅga is called Śūleśvara as demon Andhaka who was impaled on the trident by Śaṅkara was ultimately blessed by Śaṅkara and sent to this Liṅga in Mahākālavana.

Īśvara said:

1-7. Know, O goddess, that Sūleśvara Liṅga is the fifty-first deity and destroyer of all ailments.

When the first Kalpa began, O lady of excellent countenance, there occurred a fierce battle between Devas and Dānavas for the sake of kingdom, where Jaṃbha was the Lord of Daityas and the Consort of Śacī that of Devas. Devas were defeated and Daityas became victorious. Andhaka came to Mandara and sent a messenger to me. That evil-minded messenger arrogantly told me loudly. “O Śaṅkara, listen to my words. I have been directed by Andhaka to tell you: ‘Give Gaurī unto me as wife. Let this Mandara be abandoned (by you). If this is done, you can stay contented. Otherwise you have no other way.’”

I was told so, when I was on the great mountain along with you. With a face beaming with smile for a moment, I spoke these words: “O messenger, go at my bidding and tell Andhaka immediately: ‘Come here; fight with me; defeat me and take away this lovely lady.’

8-15. On being told thus, the messenger went away. My words were repeated by him. Daitya Andhaka came to Mandara seeking a battle, along with his ministers and with a four-division army. Thereupon, a fierce, protracted fight ensued between me and him. The terrible chariot of Andhaka was broken and shattered all round. Thereupon, O goddess, the infuriated Andhaka jumped down from the chariot. The powerful fellow seized my chariot. Displaying his strength, the great Daitya fought with me. He was hit with the trident by me. With the trident deeply thrust within, the great Asura was held aloft by me in the air. Suspended thus from the trident, the wicked wretch was whirled by me. There was a profuse flow of blood from his body. From every drop of the blood Dānavas on a par with him cropped up. Thus, O goddess, crores of such Daityas came up and I was harassed by them. O beautiful lady, I stood still there for a short while thinking, ‘What should be done?’ The excessively terrifying Durgā with red teeth was created by me and she drank up the blood flowing profusely. When the blood was thus drunk, O goddess, no more Dānavas rose up. Those who had risen up before were struck by herself with the same trident. Those leaders of Dānavas, when struck by her, died instantly.

16-26. Pleased in his mind, Andhaka joined his palms in reverence and spoke to me: “Let my devotion be always directed towards you. Rare indeed is your appearance (to devotees) which is very difficult to obtain. I have been struck down by (you), my Master. Who can be more blessed than I? Pierced through by your trident, I was held suspended in the space. Despite that I seek refuge in you who create and destroy (the world) with a mere will, the Lord promoting the functions of the Kalpa and possessing a thousand faces and heads.

I seek refuge in you, the Lord of the Daughter of the King of Mountains, having as abode the peak of the Lord of mountains, and residing in Mahālaya.”

Thus I was eulogized, O beautiful lady, by the Daitya kept suspended with the trident thrust through (him). Thereupon, I became compassionate and made him a Gaṇa.

That excellent Śūla (Trident) was joyously told then by me, O goddess: “Come on, O Śūla, the wicked Daitya, Andhaka, was killed by you in battle. As I am pleased (with you) I grant you an excellent great place of rest. Without propitiating me it cannot be attained by Devas, Gandharvas or great sages who have destroyed their sins.” Then the Śūla bent down and spoke to me: “If the holy Lord is pleased, if you have pity for me, tell me the great place of rest where my mind can get purified and also wipe off the sin arising from the contact of the wicked ones and other sins as well.”

Thereupon, he (the Śūla) was advised and directed by me whose mind became compassionate: “The beautiful Mahākālavana yields the fruit of great merit. A Liṅga that enables one to attain as, which blesses all the worlds, is there to the east of Pṛthukeśvara. Propitiate it with effort.”

27-38. On hearing my words, he went away hurriedly. There he saw that Liṅga, the bestower of many benefits. The Śūla, the favourite of Śaṅkara, when seen by the Liṅga, became endowed with many faces and was surprised in his mind due to delight. He was closely embraced lovingly and his health and welfare were enquired after. The mode of the subjugation of the wicked Andhaka was narrated by the Śūla. He said: “For the purpose of purification I have been directed by the Lord to come to your presence. I have been purified by your sight. I shall go to the presence of Śiva. From today onwards you will become well-known after my name in Bhūrloka. By seeing you, more than that shall happen. This is what I choose. Of what avail are the different kinds of Tīrthas where holy bath is taken? Of what avail are the different kinds of Dāna rites performed? Those who devoutly see you will obtain all those benefits. A man endowed with devotion, who performs your adoration on the eighth or fourteenth lunar day or on a Tuesday, joyously moves about, seated in an excellent aerial chariot well-adorned with jewels resembling the rising sun and capable of going anywhere at will. Those who are excessively frightened, those who are afflicted with ailments always or excessively distressed by miseries will repeat your name. They will not have any fear in this terrible ocean of worldly existence. If men devoid of emotional fervour or devotional ardour even casually visit you, they will not be reborn in the world or fall into the excessively terrible Naraka (Hell).” Thus said the Śūla after closely embracing the Liṅga. Thus, O goddess, the sin-destroying power of Śūleśvara Deva has been recounted to you. Listen to the story of Oṃkāreśara.