Origin of Bhimashankar (bhīmāśaṃkara)

After studying various stories from Puranas (purāṇas) it can be concluded that the origin of Lord Bhimashankar (bhīmāśaṃkara) was in the middle part of the Treta (tretā) Yuga. Veda's philosophy begins from the middle of the "Satya Yuga" (Golden Age) to the beginning of "Tretā Yuga" (Silver Age). King Dashanan (rājarṣi daśānana) was the ruler of Mayapur (māyāpura, mayoṃga) during that period. Bhimasur (bhīmāsura) was Kshatriya (kṣatrīya)^[1], born from the semen of Kumbhakarna (kuṃbhakarṇa), younger brother of Dashanan (daśānana) in the womb of a lady Karkati (karkaṭī). After the son of Dasaratha, Sri Rama, killed the dreaded Kuṃbhakarṇa, Karkati took her son and started living in the Sahya Mountain. One day Bhīma asked his mother, who was my father? Where did he live? Karkati said; “your father was Kuṃbhakarṇa, the brother of the King Ravana (Daśānana). He came to me one day. Sri Ram had killed him. I have not even seen Lanka”.

My father’s name was Karkata and mother’s name was Puskasi (puṣkasī). I was married to a Virādha. Ram killed him too. After the death of my husband, I lived with my father and mother. One day my mother and father attacked Muni Sutikshna (sutīkṣana), furious sage burnt them to ashes. Since then I had to live alone. At that time Kuṃbhakarṇa met me and you were born. After your birth, I lived here only for you.

Hearing all this from his mother he became very angry. He started pondering on how to bring destruction to Hari. Thinking thus, he started doing penance standing on one leg with raised arms and looking at the Sun for Lord Brahma for thousand years. As a result of such tough austerity, heat emanated from the head started burning the whole world. Distressed and anxious Gods took refuge at the feet of Brahma and prayed.  O! Father, we are suffering extremely due to the severe penance of Bhīma. Therefore you must immediately give him desired boon to save the world from destruction.

Listening to the prayer of Gods, Lord Brahma sitting on his swan vehicle came to the Bhima and said: "Devotee, I am pleased with your penance. Tell me what boon you want?" Hearing Brahma’s word, the Bhīma spoke: “lotus-seated one, if you want to give me boon, then, give me limitless prowess”. Thus spoken, he surrendered at the feet of Brahma. Compelled Brahma blessed him with invincible prowess. Driven insane by the boon of the Brahma, Bhimasura started torturing Gods and human beings. First Bhimasura captivated the king Kāmarūpeswra of kamrup and sent him into the wilderness.

“ इत्युत्वा प्रथमं तत्र कामरूपेश्वरं  शुभं | ववध्द तरयामास  भीमो भीम पराक्रम ||”

"ityutvā prathamaṃ tatra kāmarūpeśvaraṃ  śubhaṃ | vavadhda tarayāmāsa  bhīmo bhīma parākrama ||”

Highly devoted King with wife Dakshina after taking bath in an isolated place set a ‘Shiva Linga’ and with devotion and single-mindedness started  worshiping.

On the other hand, Bhimasura attacked Gods and took away their kingdom. Displaced from their state Gods started worshiping Lord Maheshwar on the banks of the river Mahakoshi. Pleased with the invocation of saints and deities Lord Maheshwar appeared before them and said jauntily; I am satisfied with your penance, ask your desired boon. Gods and sages after telling the story of Bhimasura took refuge of Lord for indemnity. Lord of the Lords Shiva said; not only Bhimasura has troubled you (Gods) but also he has kept my dear devotee Kāmarupeshwar imprisoned. So in this context, I have to take final action. You go back without any fear. Said so the benefactor Lord left for dispelling the grief of the devotee along with the first Gana (Ganesha). Meanwhile, Bhima's servants reported the worship of Shiva by King (Kāmarūpeswra).

“एतस्मिननंतरे तत्र कामरुपेश्व् रेण च | अत्यन्तं ध्यान मारध्वमं पार्थीववस्य पूरस्तदा|| केशि्चश्च तत्र गत्वा राक्षसाय निवेदितम | राजा किंचित करोत्येवं  त्वदर्थे राक्षसोत्तं | अभिचारं करोति वै यथेच्चसि तथा कुरु ||”

“etasminanaṃtare tatra kāmarupeśv reṇa ca | atyantaṃ dhyāna māradhvamaṃ pārthīvavasya pūrastadā|| keśicaśca tatra gatvā rākṣasāya niveditama | rājā kiṃcita karotyevaṃ  tvadarthe rākṣasottaṃ | abhicāraṃ karoti vai yatheccasi tathā kuru ||”

“Oh great king! The captivated king Kāmarupeswar has installed a physical ‘Shiv Linga’ and is doing puja, absorbed in meditation for your incantation. Therefore, please do whatever is proper”.

Hearing this, infuriated Bhimasura proceeded towards the Prison with his soldiers to kill the king. Seeing king absorbed in Shiv puja, Bhimasura roared with anger and said: “oh king, what is this happening, tell me the truth, else I will kill you now”. The king was so absorbed in Shiv-puja that he was not perturbed by thunder like threatening of Bhīma and said; “Oh Rakshasa king, I’m doing Shiv puja with this physical ‘Shiv-Linga’. The compassionate Lord Shiv is present here in this Linga. Since I’m very inferior person and therefore He has not blessed me yet. But he is committed to His devotees to protect and kill one who tortures them. With this faith I’m doing his puja. Now, you can do whatever you desire”. Hearing the king, Bhīma mocked: “I know your Shankar, what is he capable of doing. My Uncle Dashanan had kept Shankar as his servant. With that Shankar you want to get victory over me. Are you trying to search tortoise egg in the cavity of a tree.  Tell  your protector, Shankar, does not come face–to-face with me, your delusion will not go. But, when you see yourself, you will understand immediately, and will remove all your delusions along with these garbage of symbolic-Linga.  Otherwise you will see what prowess I’m possessing in my body”.  Listening to the Bhim's word with pride King said; “can I remove Lord Shankar from here thinking him insignificant. He is the noblest, the greatest, He would never abandon me.  Bhīma laughed aloud at king’s sayings and said: “after losing your kingdom the way you have become a beggar, you have gone mad too, in the same way your Shankar is also frantic. Shankar is too worldly, He moves with the alms-bag to feed his stomach.  What knowledge he has of ‘Yoga’? If he had capacity of your well-being, why are you in this pathetic condition? However your delusion has not gone. Hence, along with your Lord, your delusion will be removed and the world will be free of delusion in the future”. Saying thus, the great powerful Bhimasur attacked the King with a deadly weapon. Following which, with a catastrophic roar earth was darkened and from Linga, Lord Rudra emerged as Divine light like thousand Suns. Rudradev said:  “I’ve appeared as Bhimashankar (bhīmāśaṃkara) to protect Hamsa mantra, I pledge to protect my devotees”

तावच्च पर्थिवात तस्मादविरास स्वयं हर:| पश्य भिमेश्वरोहहेस रक्षार्थ प्रकाट्यँहम  ||

“tāvacca parthivāta tasmādavirāsa svayaṃ hara:| paśya bhimeśvarohahesa rakṣārtha prakāṭyam̐hama  ||”

Thus said, the destroyer of the world Rudradeva, destroyed the weapons fired by Bhimasura. The fierce battle set in between Bhīma and Rudra. Gods were astonished at the horrors of war. Unable to sustain the weight of the enraged Rudra deva, the Gods of all directions panicked with horror. The sea, the mountains, the hills, the planets constellations and stars were shaken. The Brahma and Gods were overwhelmed. They were bewildered “why Rudradeva is not killing Bhīma when He can effortlessly kill him”. They approached Narada for help.

At the request of Gods Narada retorted Rudradeva at battlefield; O Lord Maheshwara keeping people in delusion! Please forgive me, what is the need of an axe for cutting straws. Please quickly slaughter him and bring peace to the world.

प्रार्थित: शम्भू शांति समाधी गच्छवै | स्थातवं स्वमिना ह्यत्र लोकानां सुख हेतवे || अयम् वै कुतिस्तो देश: औषध्यो लोक दुःखदा | भवन्तंच तदा दृष्ट: कल्याणं सम्भविष्यति || भिमाशंकरानाम त्वं भविता सर्वसाधक | इतयेवं प्रथि्रत: शम्भू स्तत्रैव स्थितवांस्तदा ||

prārthita: śambhū śāṃti samādhī gacchavai | sthātavaṃ svaminā hyatra lokānāṃ sukha hetave || ayam vai kutisto deśa: auṣadhyo loka duḥkhadā | bhavantaṃca tadā dṛṣṭa: kalyāṇaṃ sambhaviṣyati bhimāśaṃkarānāma tvaṃ bhavitā sarvasādhaka | itayevaṃ prathirata: śambhū statraiva sthitavāṃstadā ||

Hearing the prayer of Narada, Rudradev with loud uproar consumed all Rakshasas and Bhimasur to ashes. After killing Bhimasura Rudradev did not calm down and flame of His anger turned into many medicinal plants. These plants are used for exorcism, and treating various diseases. Inanimate world panicked from the wrath of Rudradev. gods and sages prayed; “Please live here forever to give people happiness.The country is considered stigmatized. People who come here often get distress.Mere sight of you will give welfare to all.You will be known as Bhimashankar (bhīmāśaṃkara) and the desire of everyone will be fulfilled.This Jyotirling will be venerable to all and ever  resolve the problems of everyone.

Satisfied with the prayers of Gods "Lord of the Souls" relinquishing the anger became calm and started living in this place in the form of Linga. Due to the agitation (kṣobha) of the Lord of destruction, this place has been named as ‘Kṣhobhaka'. The name ‘Haraka’ or ‘Heruka’ came from the stealer (Hara) of the sorrow of the world.

‘Ha’ means ‘Sky’ which is vast as Bhīma (Vast) , therefore the eight-armed statue (murti) of ‘Hara’ is worshipped as ‘oṃ bhīmāya ākaśa murtaye nama:’. From the world of Maya and suffering, sustained and nurtured by ‘Hari’, he who takes away the creatures (Jiva) to deliver salvation into divine ‘Self-form’ is ‘Heruk’ or ‘Hara. He is the ‘Mahākāla’ ‘Hara’. At the request of all the Gods "Heruk" was named as destroyer of Bhimasur or  "Bhimashankar (bhīmāśaṃkara)"                 

 His form is space (vyom), Nothingness (shunya), sky (akash), He is ‘Ha’ of ‘Brahma’. He is complete & total, undiminishable, vowel and Him only, we call ‘Ishwar’. Because, He is:

ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पुर्णमुदच्यते |  पूर्णश्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥

oṃ pūrṇamadaḥ pūrṇamidaṃ pūrṇātpurṇamudacyate | pūrṇaśya pūrṇamādāya pūrṇamevāvaśiṣyate ॥

Herukeswar Rudradeva established in the form of ‘Linga’ on the request of the Gods. Lord Indra and other Gods also took their respective seats.Goddess Durga daughter of Himalaya is seated here with her potent five headed virgin form to serve Bhimashankar (bhīmāśaṃkara).

पंचभि दुर्गा योनिभि:पूजयते पंचवक्त्रकम | स्थिता रमयितं तत्र नित्यमेव हिमाद्रिजा ||उग्रचंडा, प्रचंडा च् ​ चन्दोग्रा, चन्दनाइका | चन्दाचेती च् योगिन्या: पंचाया: परिकीर्तिता: ||

paṃcabhi durgā yonibhi:pūjayate paṃcavaktrakama | sthitā ramayitaṃ tatra nityameva himādrijā || ugracaṃḍā, pracaṃḍā c ​ candogrā, candanāikā | candācetī c yoginyā: paṃcāyā: parikīrtitā: ||

Thus, the 33 crore (type) Gods centring Rudradev seated on the "Kṣobhaka" hill. On the instruction of Rudradeva  ‘Saridvārā’ Gaṃgā came down to the earth as Kanta from the  dreadlocks of Nīlagrīva (Shiva). Gods setup a divine pond for daily bathing. Taking bath in this pond and worshiping the Goddess, one frees from the cycle of birth (and death, ‘yoni-bhog’, one who take birth from mothers’ birth canal). 

तच्चैल पुर्वभागेतु कन्ता नाम महानदी । दक्षिणं सागरं यान्ति प्रथमं चोत्रबस्रवा ॥ दिव्यं कुण्डं महाकुंडं तच्छैलोपत्यकाक्षितो | सस्थितं तत्र स्नात्वा तु तां देवी परिपूजयते || दिव्य कुंडे नरः स्नात्वा पञ्च पुष्कर्णी शिवाम् |  यः पुजयेन्ममहाभागः स योनौ नहीं जायते || कन्तायां सलिले स्नात्वा वसन्ते मानवोत्तमः |  रूपवान गुणवान भुत्वा शिव्लोकाय गच्छति  ||

taccaila purvabhāgetu kantā nāma mahānadī । dakṣiṇaṃ sāgaraṃ yānti prathamaṃ cotrabasravā ॥ divyaṃ kuṇḍaṃ mahākuṃḍaṃ tacchailopatyakākṣito | sasthitaṃ tatra snātvā tu tāṃ devī paripūjayate || divya kuṃḍe naraḥ snātvā pañca puṣkarṇī śivām | yaḥ pujayenmamahābhāgaḥ sa yonau nahīṃ jāyate || kantāyāṃ salile snātvā vasante mānavottamaḥ | rūpavāna guṇavāna bhutvā śivlokāya gacchati  ||

Seeing the industrious spirit of the Gods, the agitation of Rudradeva calm down and he started living there in the form of ‘Jyotirlinga’. Worshiping Rudradeva, the dispeller of untimely-death, man can prevent premature death and free from incurable diseases. By bathing Rudra with curd, honey and ghee and then bathing ‘Malakal’, in his own natural form, with milk and offering an apple, a man can get rid of all kinds of incurable diseases. After the darshan of the great Goddess Kāmākhyā and then taking bath at Urvashi, Uma Bhairav Umananda is to be worshiped and then after taking bath in the great pond ‘Kanta’, ‘Panchayoni’ (Panchakanya) and Herukeswar should be worshiped. After that, taking bath in the Amrit pond (Kund), a man can have the darshan of the great sage Vasistha after which darshan of Vishnudev in the Bhagavāna hill can be had and with it unlimited ‘Punya” can be earned. The provision for puja of Herukeswar, with ‘Bhairav mantra’ and the provision for puja of Goddess (Devi) with the mantra of Tripurbala or Kāmeswari are existing.

त्रिपुरायास्तु तंत्रेण ता: पूज्या साधकोत्त्मै | कामेश्वरी तन्त्र मंत्रैरथवा पूजयेत शिवाम || भैरवस्य तु मंत्रपेण पूजयित्वा दिव्यं व्रजेत | निर्माल्य धारिणी देवी चंडगौरिति  कीर्तिता ||

tripurāyāstu taṃtreṇa tā: pūjyā sādhakottmai | kāmeśvarī tantra maṃtrairathavā pūjayeta śivāma || bhairavasya tu maṃtrapeṇa pūjayitvā divyaṃ vrajeta | nirmālya dhāriṇī devī caṃḍagauriti  kīrtitā ||

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^[1] Kṣatrīya used to protect (rakṣā) subject of a state. Kings were from kṣatrīya caste, and a patron of the states, with time word "protect" (rakṣā) turned into "demon" (rākṣasa).Thus, "rākṣasa" (“protector") word degenerated to "rākṣaka" (demon). In this way Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Bhimasur etc. called "rākṣaka" (demon) from "rakṣaka"("protector"). Virtuous qualities of Brahmin sage used for the acquisition of austerity. Rājasika (passion) qualities of kṣatrīya (demon) were eligible for the King and acquisition of properties.