SHRI VAIDYANATH JYOTIRLINGA
CHAPTER NINE
Om Namah Shivaya
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INTRODUCTION
"Salutations to Lord Ganesha. Today, I narrate to you the wonderful story of Vaidyanath – the ninth among the twelve Jyotirlingas."
This is not merely a story – it is the tale of Ravan's devotion, the tale of Shiva's grace, and that divine play of Shiva as the Vaidya (physician), which teaches us – the sole healer of the disease of worldly existence is Lord Shiva himself.
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CHAPTER ONE
VAIDYANATH – SHIVA AS THE DIVINE PHYSICIAN
"Vaidyanath" – meaning "the Lord of Physicians" – the master of healers.
Lord Shiva is worshipped in this Jyotirlinga as the Vaidya (physician). It is believed – having darshan here liberates one from diseases.
"Vaidyanath Dham has been called 'Bhavarogahara' – the destroyer of the disease of worldly existence."
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CHAPTER TWO
DEOGHAR – THE ABODE OF THE GODS
The Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is located in the Deoghar district of Jharkhand state.
"Deoghar" – meaning "the abode of the gods".
This holds the fifth position among the twelve Jyotirlingas.
It is also one of the 51 Shakti Peethas – it is believed that Mother Sati's heart fell here.
It is a confluence of both Shiva and Shakti.
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CHAPTER THREE
RAVAN'S DEVOTION – THE SACRIFICE OF TEN HEADS
In ancient times, the king of Lanka, Ravan, was a supreme devotee of Lord Shiva.
Ravan went to Mount Kailash and performed intense penance to Lord Shiva. His penance was so powerful that –
"He cut off his ten heads one by one and offered them on the Shivalinga."
When Ravan was about to cut off his tenth head after cutting the ninth, Lord Shiva appeared.
Shiva asked Ravan to ask for a boon.
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CHAPTER FOUR
RAVAN'S BOON – THE DEMAND FOR THE ATMALINGA
Ravan said –
"O Lord! Grant me your Atmalinga. I shall take it to Lanka and establish it there."
Ravan's objective was –
To make Lanka invincible.
To invite Lord Shiva to reside permanently in Lanka.
To establish his dominion over all three worlds.
Lord Shiva gave him the Atmalinga, but placed a condition –
"Do not place this linga anywhere on the ground. If you do, it will become fixed and will not move from there."
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CHAPTER FIVE
GANESHA'S DECEPTION – THE LINGA BECOMES FIXED ON EARTH
Ravan set off towards Lanka in his Pushpaka Vimana with the Atmalinga.
The gods did not like this – if Ravan took the linga to Lanka, he would become invincible.
The gods prayed to Varuna Deva. Varuna Deva entered Ravan's stomach and compelled him to answer nature's call.
Ravan had to descend from the vimana. He handed the linga to a boy (who was Ganesha himself) there and said –
"Do not place this on the ground. I will be back soon."
Ganesha placed the linga on the ground and disappeared.
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CHAPTER SIX
RAVAN'S ANGER – THE DISTORTION OF THE LINGA
When Ravan returned, he saw – the linga had already become fixed on the ground.
He tried with great effort – but the linga did not move.
In anger, he pressed the linga with his thumb – which caused a distortion in the middle of the linga. This is why the linga of Vaidyanath is different from other lingas.
Ravan repented. He began worshipping Shiva there and got a pond (Chandrakup) constructed.
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CHAPTER SEVEN
THE NAME VAIDYANATH – SHIVA AS THE DIVINE HEALER
Lord Shiva reattached Ravan's severed heads – like a Vaidya (physician).
"Thus, Shiva came to be known as 'Vaidyanath' at this place – the Lord of Physicians."
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CHAPTER EIGHT
THE DIVINE HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE
Mythological Belief –
This place is mentioned as "Gokarna" in the Shiva Puran.
The Matsya Puran (3rd-6th century) calls this place "Arogya Vaidyanathiti" – the place of freedom from disease.
The Devi Bhagavata describes it as a Shakti Peetha.
Historical Background –
The temple is mentioned in the 8th century (by Gupta king Adityasena).
The present temple was developed during the Mughal period with the contribution of King Man Singh.
The temple faces east, is 72 feet tall, and has a golden kalasha and a Panchashula installed on it.
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CHAPTER NINE
THE TEMPLE'S ARCHITECTURE AND SPECIAL FEATURES
Temple Structure –
Style – North Indian (Nagara style)
Spire – 72 feet tall, pyramidal in shape
Kalasha – Three golden kalashas
Mani – Chandrakanta Mani (eight-petalled lotus)
Shakti Peetha –
It is believed – Mother Sati's heart fell here. Therefore, it is called the "Hridaya Peetha" (Heart Shrine).
Other Deities –
In the temple complex – Ganpati, Hanuman, Surya, Kalabhairava
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CHAPTER TEN
THE SHRAVANI MELA – THE 108 KM KANWAR YATRA
Vaidyanath Dham is world-famous for the Shravani Mela.
What is the Shravani Mela? –
A grand fair is held here during the month of Shravan (July-August).
7 to 8 million (70 to 80 lakh) devotees gather here.
Kanwariyas walk 108 kilometers from Sultanganj (on the Ganga bank) to bring Ganga water.
"This is one of the largest pilgrimages in the world."
Respect for Ravan –
In Deoghar, Ravan's effigy is not burned on Dussehra. Because –
Ravan is respected here as a scholar and devotee of Shiva.
It is believed – Ravan himself got the Vaidyanath temple established.
Ravan composed the Shiva Tandava Stotra.
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CHAPTER ELEVEN
INTERESTING FACTS
First – Vaidyanath is the only one among the 12 Jyotirlingas that is also a Shakti Peetha.
Second – The Shivalinga here is believed to have been distorted by Ravan's thumb.
Third – Ravan's effigy is not burned here on Dussehra.
Fourth – During the Shravani Mela, devotees walk 108 kilometers to offer Ganga water.
Fifth – It is believed – having darshan here liberates one from diseases.
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CHAPTER TWELVE
THE SPIRITUAL MESSAGE – THE ESSENCE OF THE STORY
This story carries a deep spiritual meaning –
1. The Power of Devotion –
Ravan pleased Shiva by offering his heads. This teaches – unwavering devotion can move even Shiva.
2. Shiva's Grace –
Shiva healed Ravan by reattaching his heads. This teaches – Shiva removes the afflictions of all.
3. The End of Ego –
Ravan pressed the linga with his thumb – but it did not move. This teaches – nothing is achieved through ego.
4. Freedom from Disease –
Vaidyanath destroys the disease of worldly existence. This teaches – all suffering is removed by seeking refuge in Shiva.
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CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CONCLUSION
This story of the Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga teaches us –
"The sole healer of the disease of worldly existence is Lord Shiva himself. Vaidyanath – where Shiva reattached Ravan's severed heads, where Mother Sati's heart fell, where millions of Kanwariyas offer Ganga water in the month of Shravan – this place is a wonderful confluence of devotion, faith, and Shiva's grace."
Whoever remembers Vaidyanath with devotion, attains freedom from disease, peace, and salvation – all three.
This is the story of Vaidyanath... this is the glory of the ninth Jyotirlinga.
Om Namah Shivaya.
Jai Vaidyanath.
Jai Baba Baidyanath.
— The End —