SHRI TRYAMBAKESHWAR Temple in Nasik
Tryambakeshwar Jyothirlinga
Of the twelve JyotirLingas of Lord Shankara, the
tenth one is known as Tryambakeshwara. Tryambak is near Nasik in Maharashtra.
This great JyotirLinga on the banks of Gautami has a unique form. The Lord in
this temple’s Grabhagriha is not worshipped with Abhisheka with water
(Jalahari) unlike others. There is just a bottom part of the pounding stone
(Ukhali), instead, like a hole.
In that hole there are three Lingas shaped like
the Thumbs. Hence Tryambakeshwara. Of these three Lingas, the Linga of Mahesha
has a constant shower of water from an orifice above. It is a natural source of
water coming down as Abhisheka for the Lord.
Purana of Tryambakeshwar Temple
Ahalya’s husband, Gautama was doing Tapas or
penance on the Dakshina Mountain. It did not rain there for a hundred years and
the land was drying up and life forms disappearing. Seeing these conditions of
drought, the residents, the saints, and all the birds and animals fled from
there. Saint Gautam did a great Mangalik tapas through Pranayama for six long
months. Varuna, the deva of rains, was pleased and appeared before Gautama, who
inturn asked for water. At the behest of Varuna, Gautam dug a hole on his hand.
With the help of Varuna’s miraculous power, it filled with water. Varuna said,
“Due to the power of your penance, this hole would be an unending source of
water “Akshya”. It will become famous by your name. It will augment all holy
rituals like Yagna, Dana, Tapa, Homa Shraadha, and worship of Gods. After this
water was thus acquired, the saints started making preparations for the Yagna
and the production of “Breehika”.
Once when the disciples of Gautama went to fetch
some water, from that waterhole, just then some of the saints wives were also
there for the same purpose. They insisted on taking water first. The disciples
of Gautama called Gautama’s wife. She intervened and allowed her husband’s
disciples to fetch water. The wives of the Rishis felt insulted at this and
complained to their husbands and while doing so added a few lies here and there.
The great saints at once started the worship of Ganesha as an intial Puja in
sheer scheme of vendetta. When Ganesha appeared before them and granted some
boons, they asked for the power of being able to insult and chase away Gautama,
as an indesirable person from there. Ganesha understood that Gautama was very
helpful by nature, tried to persuade the saints from getting their way. He knew
that, but for Gautama’s efforts, the saints would be craving for even a drop of
water. But the saints would have none of it. Reluctantly, Ganesha had to accode
to the request of the adamant Rishis, but warned them to be ready to face the
consequences of angering a great saint like Gautama.
One day, when Gautama went to get some “Breehi”,
he saw a thin, starving cow there. Just when he lifted a little twig to show
away the cow, the cow fell dead. The other Rishis caught the opportunity and
accused Gautama of slaying a cow “Gohatya”. They insulted him and said that he
must leave that palce immediately in order to save it from the aftermath of
Gohaty. Gautama became very sad and left feeling greatly depressed.
Gautama wanted to absolve himself of the sin of
Gohatya “Cow slaughter”. He thus resorted to the method of Tapas recommended by
great saints. He began the difficult task of bringing Ganga water with the
power of his Tapas, take bath with that water and chant Shiva mantras a crore
times and worship the Parthiva Linga. Shiva was pleased and told him that he is
indeed a pure soul and a great Mahatma. A great injustice was done to him,
Shiva told him that he could ask for some boons. Gautama asked for Ganga, which
would be of great help to the humanity. Shiva gave Ganga to Gautama, in the
form of Tatwarupa Avishishta Jal. After taking the water, Gautama requested
Shiva to absolve him of the sin of cow slaughter. Shiva purified Gautama and
wanted to go back to His abode after that. But he told the Lord to remain on
the earth till the end of Kaliyuga. Ganga prayed to him and requested him to
stay on the earth, along with his consort Parvati. For the welfare of the
world, Lord Shiva granted Ganga her wish.
Ganga wanted to know from Lord Shiva, how people
will know about her greatness. The Rishis said that until Brihaspati stays on
the Simha Rashi (Leo), we will stay here on your banks and will take a holy dip
in your waters thrice a day before taking the Darshan of Shiva. Only by doing
so, would we able to war our sins. On hearing this Lord Shiva and Ganga stayed
there. Ganga has also come to be known as Gautami and the Linga came to be
known as Tryambaka.
The river which gave away cows as Go-Daan became
Godavari. Ganga who came on the request of Gautama became Gautam Ganga. That
was the auspicious time of Brahmagiri, the time in between, when the Kurmavatar
was over and before the assumption of Varahavatar, the Sanghiparva. The planet
Guru (Jupiter) was in the sign of Simha (Leo), Magha Shuddha Dashami, Thursday
after noon, when Gautami Ganga was born. The area of Brahmagiri too looks like
the Lingamurthyy. From the tip, the water of Gautami Ganga flows.
Other specialities of Tryambak zone
The spring at Brahmagiri from where Godavari
comes out, is known as Gangadwar. The Ganga water flows from a rock shaped like
a cow face, constantly. The temple of Godavari mata is located here. The idol
looks happy and peaceful. The Varaha Teertha is close by.
After emanating from Gangadwar, the river
Godavari thins down and almost disappears, only to appear again at Tahalhati.
In order to prevent it from disappearing, Gautam Rishi threw Darbhas on all
four sides. Because of this, Godavari flows in Kushavarti. The Kushavarti Maha
Teerth is a circle of 27 meters. It is built very strong. There are steps on
all four sides to facilitate going down to the waters.
At the time of Simhasta (in Leo), every 12 years,
a Kumbhmela is held here. Lakhs of people take a holy dip in Kushavarta. On all
the four sides of Kushavartha corridors are built. Beautiful statues are also
carved here in the Brahmagiri Talhati, near Kushavarti, there is a big lake
called Ganga Sagar.
On the parikrama path, there are beautiful places
like Ram Teerth. Prayag Teerth and Nrisimha Teerth etc, The Peshwa kings
planted trees at every 25 hand distance. During the reign of the Peshwas,
criminals were asked to do the Parikrama (circumbulation) of Brahmagiri as
punishment.
The Tryambakeshwar JyotirLinga is unique, great,
holy and wonderful place of pilgrimage.
Buy SHIVALINGA
ReplyDeleteThe lingam ( shivalinga ) of the Shaivism tradition is a short cylindrical pillar-like symbol of Shiva, made of stone, metal, gem, wood, clay or disposable material.