Almost everyone knows the greatness of the 12 Jyotirlings of Lord Shiva. These are spanned across India and are considered to be the most important temples dedicated to Lord Shiva in the whole world.Legend has it that there was a beam of light that originated from Lord Shiva’s third eye.This beam passed through 12 spots in India which turned into the 12 Jyotirlings of Lord Shiva.
But, every Jyotirling of Lord Shiva has its own separate story that explores the rich mythological history and culture of India. Let us explore all of them one by one before the auspicious MahaShivaratri, the most important day dedicated to lord Shiva.
The first Jyotirling is said to be the Somantheshwar which is located in Somnath,on the South-West coast of India in Saurashtra,Gujarat. It is by the shores of the Arabian Sea.This temple had been destroyed, time and again by various invaders yet today, it stands tall like a beacon of shining hope for all the devotees of Lord Shiva.
Somnatha, as the name suggests means the Lord of the Moon. As per the Shiva Puran, Prajapathi Daksh,the son of Lord Brahma had married off his 27 daughters to the Moon God. After marriage, all the married daughters along with the moon shone brightly and were happy leading their lives. In due course of time though, the moon had become partial in his love to one daughter in particular, who went by the name Rohini.He loved her more than the others and spent most of his time with her. This obviously distressed his other wives. All the other wives of the moon went to their father Prajapati Daksh and lamented their sad narrative. On hearing the woes his daughters Prajapathi Daksh too was struck with grief and decided to advice the Moon on righteous behaviour.
He urged the moon to desist such oddity in behaviour and be fair and equal to all his wives. Having said that,Daksh Prajapathi returned to his abode, assured that the Moon would heed his advice. Sadly, the Moon continued with his ways which aggravated Daksh immensely. Prajapati Daksh saddened and annoyed with the moon cursed him with a wasting disease which would slowly cause the Moon to disappear. The Moon, contracted the disease in a trice and started wasting away.
All the gods including Lord Indra were distressed by the turn of events and were concerned.
They approached Lord Brahma to find a solution out of this. Lord Brahma smiled,closed his eyes and remembered the lotus-like feet of Lord Shiva. He bid the Moon to go to the holy place of Prabhas (present day Somnath),build an earthen Shiva Linga and propitiate Lord Shiva in accordance to the Maha Mrityunjaya rites, incessantly, to cure him of his disease.
The Moon worshipped Lord Shiva with his mind unruffled for a hundred million times, non-stop for 6 months. Lord Shiva, pleased with his devotion appeared in front of him in all his glory.He asked the Moon for a boon.Moon joined his palms in reverence and bowed down to the great Lord. He asked Lord Shiva for his forgiveness and to rid him of his disease, bestowing his unwavering and infinite blessings on him. Hearing the Moon, the Lord was delighted and granted him his boon. He blessed the Moon God expressing that the digits of the Moon will decline day by day in one fortnight and will increase in another. Hence, we see the waxing and waning of the Moon.
All the other Gods also came there to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and bless the Moon God.
Lord Shiva decided to stay at the holy spot of Prabhas where the Moon had performed his penance as Someshwar. According to the Shiva Puran, anyone who visits the holy site and takes one look at the Someshwar linga is relieved of all ailments and sins and is shown a pathway to heaven.It also blesses the person who narrates this origin and who hears and reads it with full devotion.
Har Har Mahadev . Jai Somanath Maharaj .🙏
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