SHRI RAMESHWARAM JYOTIRLINGA
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Om Namah Shivaya
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INTRODUCTION
"Salutations to Lord Ganesha. Today, I narrate to you the wonderful story of Rameshwaram – the eleventh among the twelve Jyotirlingas."
This is not merely a story – it is the tale of righteousness and humility, the tale of the oneness of Rama and Shiva, and that divine play of Lord Rama's devotion to Shiva, which teaches us – even before a righteous war, the Lord himself performs Shiva worship, and one who seeks refuge in Shiva is assured of victory.
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CHAPTER ONE
RAMESHWARAM – THE LORD OF RAMA
"Rameshwaram" – meaning "the Lord of Rama" – the Shiva established by Lord Rama himself.
This is the sacred place where Lord Rama himself performed Shiva worship. This is the symbol of the oneness of Shiva and Vishnu.
"Rameshwaram – where Shiva worshipped in the form of Rama, and Rama worshipped in the form of Shiva. This place is a wonderful testament to the unity of Vishnu and Shiva."
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CHAPTER TWO
RAMESHWARAM – SHIVA'S ABODE ON THE SEASHORE
The Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga is located on the Rameshwaram island in the state of Tamil Nadu.
It is situated on Pamban Island – which lies between India and Sri Lanka.
It is built at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean.
This holds the eleventh position among the twelve Jyotirlingas.
This is the southern dham among the four Char Dhams.
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CHAPTER THREE
THE RAMAYANA ERA – LORD RAMA ON THE SEASHORE
When Lord Rama was advancing towards Lanka in search of Sita, he arrived at the seashore of Rameshwaram.
There he saw – the vast ocean was obstructing his path. To reach Lanka, it was necessary to build a bridge (setu) over the ocean.
"Rama looked at the ocean and thought – 'I am about to go to war, which will involve violence. Therefore, I shall first worship Shiva and seek his grace.'"
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CHAPTER FOUR
THE DECISION TO WORSHIP SHIVA – SENDING HANUMAN TO KAILASH
Lord Rama sent his supreme devotee Hanuman to Mount Kailash –
"O Hanuman! Go to Kailash and bring the Atmalinga of Lord Shiva. I wish to perform Shiva worship here."
Hanuman ji set off towards Kailash. He flew to Kailash and asked Lord Shiva for the linga.
Shiva gave Hanuman a linga and said –
"When this is placed on the ground, it will become fixed."
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CHAPTER FIVE
SITA'S SAND LINGA – THE DELAY AND THE NEED
Hanuman was delayed in returning from Kailash. The auspicious time for the puja was approaching.
Lord Rama said to Sita –
"Devi! Hanuman has been delayed. The time is passing."
Then Mother Sita made a Shivalinga from the sand on the seashore.
Lord Rama worshipped that sand linga and established it as Shiva.
"This came to be known as the 'Ramalinga' or 'Rameshwaram' Jyotirlinga."
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CHAPTER SIX
HANUMAN'S DISAPPOINTMENT – THE DISPLACEMENT OF THE LINGA
When Hanuman returned with the linga from Kailash, he saw – Rama was already worshipping a Shivalinga.
Hanuman ji was very disappointed. He thought –
"I brought the linga from so far away for my Lord – but he could not wait for me."
Lord Rama understood Hanuman's feelings and said –
"O Hanuman! Establish this linga as well. It shall be called the 'Hanumat Linga'."
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CHAPTER SEVEN
TWO LINGAS – THE RAMALINGA AND THE HANUMAT LINGA
There are two main Shivalingas in Rameshwaram –
1. Ramalinga (Rameshwaram) –
Made of sand by Mother Sita.
This is the main Jyotirlinga.
It is considered the self-manifested form of Shiva.
2. Hanumat Linga –
Brought from Kailash by Hanuman ji.
It is located to the south of the main Jyotirlinga.
It is believed – the pilgrimage to Rameshwaram remains incomplete without having darshan of the Hanumat Linga.
"Rameshwaram – where two lingas – the Ramalinga and the Hanumat Linga – reside. Both are symbols of devotion and love."
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CHAPTER EIGHT
RAMESHWARAM – THE ONENESS OF VISHNU AND SHIVA
Rameshwaram is the greatest symbol of the oneness of Shiva and Vishnu –
"Where Rama (the incarnation of Vishnu) worships Shiva, there Shiva himself manifests as Rama."
This place teaches us –
"There is no difference between Shiva and Vishnu. Both are two forms of the same Supreme Brahman."
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CHAPTER NINE
THE DIVINE HISTORY OF THE TEMPLE
Mythological Belief –
Rameshwaram is mentioned in –
The Ramayana – where Rama performed Shiva worship
The Padma Puran – which describes the glory of this place
The Shiva Puran – which lists Rameshwaram among the Jyotirlingas
Historical Background –
The temple was completed in the 12th century.
The Pandya kings got the temple constructed.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel got a road built to the temple in 1947 – making the journey easier.
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CHAPTER TEN
THE TEMPLE'S ARCHITECTURE AND SPECIAL FEATURES
The architecture of the Rameshwaram temple is grand and unique.
Temple Structure –
Style – South Indian (Dravida) style
Enclosure – Massive, 1200 meters long
Mandapa – The Sahasrastambha Mandapa with 1000 pillars
Gopuram – 9 gateways, the tallest being 38 meters
The 1000-Pillar Mandapa –
This temple is famous for its 1000 pillars. These pillars are made of granite stone and have exquisite carvings.
22 Sacred Tanks (Teerthas) –
The temple complex has 22 sacred water bodies – which are called "Teerthas".
1. Agni Teertha – destroys sins, located on the seashore
2. Koti Teertha – for offering oblations to ancestors
3. Ganga Teertha – equivalent to a dip in the Ganga
4. Yamuna Teertha
5. Brahma Teertha – for Brahma worship
6. Sita Teertha – Sita's bathing place
"It is believed – bathing in these 22 Teerthas destroys all sins."
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CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE RAMESHWARAM PILGRIMAGE – THE RITUALS
Bathing in the 22 Teerthas –
Bathing in the 22 Teerthas is considered essential in the Rameshwaram pilgrimage –
"One who bathes in the 22 Teerthas has his sins of many lifetimes destroyed."
Offering Oblations to Ancestors –
Offering oblations (tarpana) to ancestors at Rameshwaram is considered extremely meritorious.
Rudrabhishek –
Rudrabhishek and japa on the Shivalinga – these are the main rituals here.
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CHAPTER TWELVE
SETU SAMUDRAM – THE WONDERFUL MYSTERY OF RAMA SETU
The Rama Setu (Adam's Bridge) lies between Rameshwaram and Sri Lanka.
What is the Rama Setu? –
It is a chain of limestone shoals.
It connects Sri Lanka to India.
It is visible even from satellites.
Where did it come from? –
The Ramayana describes – the army of monkeys built the bridge.
Nala and Nila wrote Rama's name on the stones and made them float on water.
"This remains a mystery for scientists and archaeologists."
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CHAPTER THIRTEEN
INTERESTING FACTS
First – Rameshwaram is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas located in the southern direction.
Second – It is one of the four Char Dhams – established by Adi Shankaracharya.
Third – There are two Shivalingas here – the Ramalinga and the Hanumat Linga.
Fourth – The temple has a massive mandapa with 1000 pillars.
Fifth – There are 22 sacred tanks (Teerthas) here.
Sixth – The Rama Setu (towards Sri Lanka) is visible from here.
Seventh – Rameshwaram is also called the Kashi of the South.
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CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE SPIRITUAL MESSAGE – THE ESSENCE OF THE STORY
This story carries a deep spiritual meaning –
1. Humility –
Lord Rama himself performed Shiva worship before going to war – this teaches – no matter how great a warrior one may be, one must be humble before God.
2. The Oneness of Shiva and Vishnu –
Rama (the incarnation of Vishnu) worships Shiva – this teaches – there is no difference between Shiva and Vishnu. Both are the same Supreme Brahman.
3. Righteous War –
Rama performed Shiva worship before the war – this teaches – any great endeavour should be begun with Shiva's grace.
4. The Power of Devotion –
Hanuman's devotion and Rama's grace – this teaches – with devotion and faith, anything is possible.
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CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CONCLUSION
This story of the Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga teaches us –
"One who seeks refuge in Shiva is assured of victory. Rameshwaram – where Rama himself performed Shiva worship, where Hanuman brought the linga from Kailash, where the wonderful mystery of Setu Samudram lies – this place is a wonderful confluence of righteousness, devotion, and the oneness of Shiva and Vishnu."
Whoever remembers Rameshwaram with devotion, attains victory in righteousness, Shiva's grace, and salvation – all three.
This is the story of Rameshwaram... this is the glory of the eleventh Jyotirlinga.
Om Namah Shivaya.
Jai Rameshwaram.
Jai Shri Rama.
— The End —