Shaivacintamani (analytical study)
by Swati Sucharita Pattanaik | 2022 | 84,311 words
This page relates ‘Description of Vishveshvara Linga’ of the English study on the Shaivacintamani—an unstudied text on Shaiva or Shiva worship by Lakshmidhara Mishra, written in the late 17th century and edited for the first time in 1994 by Shri Dukhisyam Pattanaik from the Orissa State Museum. The present research aims to offer a comprehensive study of the Saivacintamani, filling the knowledge gap by being the first to provide in-depth analysis and commentary.
Part 4.9 - Description of Viśveśvara Liṅga
Viśveśvra Jyotirliṅga was situated at Kāśī, the famous city in India. This Kāśī city was also called as Vāraṇāsī, Avimuktham [Avimukta], Anandhakananam, Māhasmaraṇa, Rudravasaṃ [Rudrāvāsa], Muktha [Mukta] Bhūmi, Śiva Purī, Kṣetra Purī, Kāśikā etc. As two rivers “Varaṇa” and “aśī” are flowing two sides of this cites, it was called as Vāraṇāsī.
This Kāśī temple was very famous among all the other devotive temples. Also the importance of this temple was being praise in Vedas and Purāṇas. Kāśikhandam of Skandha Mythology gives much information about this “Kāśī temple”.
According to the sacking “Kāśī tu maraṇānmṛktiḥ”, the people who die in Kāśī were free from next life.
Also by chanting Śloka—
kādā kāśīm gamiśyāmi kadā drakṣyāmi śaṃkaram/
iti bruvāṇassatatama kāśīvāsa phalam labhet //
According to Epics
According to Hindu Mythology, this Kāśī city was built by lord Śiva to expand the life on the earth with the help of lord Viṣṇu. Lord Śiva gifted this city to lord Viṣṇu will expand the life on earth by his son lord Brahma.
Once due to heavy rain and storm this city is ready to drown in water. Then Lord Śiva lifted this city and kept on his triśul. Thus by seeing that incident, lord Viṣṇu started praying lord Śiva in many ways. Thus due to request of him lord Śiva established himself there an a jyothirliṅga and famous.
History
Also this temple was invaded by Muslims as there invaded Somanāth temple and was destroyed this temple. As the property of this temple is higher when compared to even kings and emperor’s property. So in regular basis many people tried occupy this city.
From the 1st half of 11th century to 17th century, nearly for 600 times this city was invaded by the other kings and emperors. But even now this temple was called as “Golden temple” and is even famous now.
In this temple city there are 1 crore Śiva liṅgas and nearly 37 rivesed ghats are located Maṇikarṇikā, Daraśvametha, Hariśchandra ghats are the important ones. And the leader of this temple was Kalabhairava. This temple has much importance in our country as heart has the importance in our body.