The Legend of Shiva ji



There is pupular Rig Vedic Verse that says ‘Ekam Sat’ ide est, ‘There is one Being, the sages call Him by numerous names,’ and He is The God (Parmeshwar) who is having three deities to carry on the world. This is well-known as Holy Trinity, such as Brahma- the creator, Vishnu - the perpetuator of life and Shiva (Mahesh) -the purifier and perpetuator of good and destroyer of evil.



Rig Veda gives reference of Shiva as Rudra, in its following verse. ‘We Worship Tryambaka (Rudra), who spreads out fragrance and increases nourishment, May He releases me, like the cucumber from its stem, From Mortal Life, but not From Immorality.‘ The Yajurveda depicts Shiva as ascetic warrior whose robe is of Deer Skin and who carries Trishul.



According to the verse Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram, the life is defined as including three aspects Truth (Satyam), Good (Shivam) and the Beautiful (Sundaram). Shiva is believed to a living God. The RigVeda, the most sanctified and ancient books of India, describes the presence of Shiva in its hymns. The evidence of his existence is testified by Vedic myths, rituals and even astronomy from the dawn of time. The findings of Mohindaro and Harapa also substantiate the worship of Shiva in the ancient India.



In accordance with the ancient scriptures, Shiva has three places of His residence, one is Kailash Parvat another is Lohit Giri under which Brahamputra flows and third is Muzwan Parvat





Mythological view of Amarnath Cave



The Amarnath Cave is the cave, which was preferred by Bhole Shankar for revealing the mysteries of immortality and creation of Universe to Maa Parvati ji. The story goes like that, centuries ago, Maa Parvati asked Shiv ji to tell her why and when he began putting on the beads of heads (Mund Mala). Bhole Shankar answered back that whenever you are born I add one more head in my beads. On this, Maa Parvati said, ‘My Lord, I give up my body every time by dieing again and again, however you are Immortal means you never die, kindly tell me the secret of this.



Bhole Shankar responded that it is because of Amar Katha. On listening the word Amarkatha, Maa Parvati became very keen and began to persist Shiva ji to reveal the secret to her. For long Shiva ji kept on putting off, but at last, on being continuously insisted by Maa Parvati, He decided to disclose the facts of the immortal mystery. He left for forlorn place where no living being could listen him. He opted Amarnath Cave, and while leaving for the cave, He missed His Nandi (The bull that He used to ride) back at Pahalgam (Bail gaon).







At Chandanwari, He freed Moon from his hairs (Jataon), and at the banks of Lake Sheshnag He freed the snakes. He made up his mind to leave his Son Ganesha at Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh Hill), and at Panjtarni, Shivji left the Five Elements behind (Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Sky) which forms living being. Shivji is the Lord of these elements. People believe that as a symbol of sacrificing the earthly world, Shivaji and Maa Parvati did Tandav Dance there.



After parting behind all these, Bhole Shankar crossed the threshold of the Holy Amarnath Cave along with Parvati Maa. Lord Shiva takes his Samadhi on the Deer Skin and concentrate. To make sure that no living being could listen to the Immortal Tale, He brought about Rudra named Kalagni and ordered him to spread fire to do away with every living thing in and around the Holy Cave .



Thereafter, He began narrating the mystery of immortality to Maa Parvati; however, as a matter of chance, one egg, which was lying beneath the Deerskin, stayed secured. People believed it to be non-living and it was shielded by Shiva -Parvati Aasan (Bed). The pair of pigeons, which were born out of this egg, became immortal after having heard the mystery or story of immortality (Amar Katha). Numerous pilgrims have been reported of saying to see the pair of pigeons when they trek the strenuous route to pay their obeisance before the Ice-Lingam (the phallic symbol of Shiva).





Discovery of Amarnath Cave



It is said that a Gujjar or Muslim named Buta Malik is credited to have made the discovery of Holy Amarnath Cave, who was given a bag full of coal by a saint. On reaching his home when he opened the bag, to be taken aback, the bag was full of gold coins. This made him weighed down with joy. He ran to thank the Saint. However, to his utter surprise the Saint had vanished. In his place, Buta Malik found The Holy Cave and Shiv Lingam there in. He proclaimed the finding of this to the Villagers, and then onwards, this has become the sacred place of Pilgrimage.

Whereas there is an ancient, epics story which goes like this: the valley of Kashmir was under water .It was a big lake. Kashyap Rishi drained the water through many a rivers and rivulets. During those days, Bhrigu Rishi came on the way to visit The Himalayas. He is believed to have the first Darshans of this Holy Cave. When people heard of the Lingam, Amarnath for them became Shiva’s abode and a Centre of pilgrimage.



Since then lacks of devotees called Kavadia perform the pilgrimage through hard-hitting terrain and avail eternal happiness. The trek to Amarnath, in the month of sharavan (July-August) has the devout flock to this far-fetched shrine, where the image of Shiva, in the form of a Lingam comes naturally of an Ice Stalagmite, which waxes and wanes with the Moon’s cycle.

By its side are mesmerizing, two more Ice Lingams, that of Maa Parvati and of their son, Ganesha.



Read