Greatness of Mahakala Jyotirlingam

The rishis said

Suta, by Vyasa's favour you know everything. Hearing of the jyotirlingas we are not yet satisfied. Lord, show us your unmatched, special compassion. Please tell us now of the third jyotirlinga.

Suta replied

Brahmanas, I am blessed to be in the company of illustrious people like you. I have become successful in my aims. A man who meets and keeps company with the virtuous is blessed and gains a good destination. Taking this as my good fortune, I will tell you a purifying account that destroys sins. It is a divine account; listen affectionately. The city of Avanti is beautiful and gives liberation to all living beings. It is very sacred and loved by Shiva, and purifies the worlds. A foremost brahmana lived there, busy in auspicious deeds. He always studied the Vedas and performed Vedic rites. He kept the sacrificial fire and always worshipped Shiva. Every day the brahmana worshipped an earthen image. The brahmana Vedapriya gained the fruits of all the rites. He became skilled in proper knowledge, the destination of the virtuous. Supreme among sages, he had four sons just like him. They were constantly devoted to worshipping Shiva and were not lesser than their father. Devapriya was the eldest and Priyamedha the next. The third was named Sukrita and the fourth Dharmavahi, excellent in vows. By the power of their merit, happiness grew on earth, as the moon constantly waxes in the bright fortnight. Their good qualities flourished and brought happiness. The city became full of the energy of the brahman.

Meanwhile a wonderful event took place. Best of brahmanas, listen; I will tell it as I heard it. On Mount Ratnamala there was a great asura named Dushana. The powerful king of daityas constantly harmed the cause of dharma. By a boon from Brahma he regarded the world as of no account. He defeated the gods and drove them from their positions. Like a lion destroying hares, the wicked one shattered the dharma of the Vedas and smritis all over the earth. The Vedic dharma was kept at holy places and sacred fields, but wherever it was kept he destroyed it and threw it far away. "But it can still be seen in that solitary, beautiful city of Avanti." Thinking so, he did what I now tell. Dushana, the great asura, surrounded himself with many soldiers and went there intending to destroy all the brahmanas of that city. Having arrived, the lord among daityas called all the excellent daityas, and the very crooked brahmana-hater said:

The daitya said

Why do the wicked brahmanas not act by my words? In my view everyone who follows the Vedic dharma must be punished. I have defeated all the gods and kings in the world. Excellent daityas, are we unable to bring brahmanas under our control? If they wish to stay alive and have a share of happiness, let them give up Shiva's dharma and the supreme dharma of the Vedas. Otherwise there is doubt about their staying alive. I have spoken the truth. Act accordingly without hesitation.

Suta continued

When this was decided, the four daityas surrounded the city from four directions, like fires that rise at dissolution. The brahmanas heard of the daityas' attempts, but devoted to meditation on Shiva they were not saddened at all. They held to their fortitude and did not stray the least bit from their supreme meditation. If Shiva is in front, who can suffer? Meanwhile the lovely city was overwhelmed. The suffering people went and took refuge with the brahmanas. "Lords, what is to be done? The wicked ones have come. They have done violence to many people and are coming close." Hearing them, the brahmanas, sons of Vedapriya, who always placed their trust in Shankara, answered: "Listen. We have no army that can frighten the wicked, no weapons to drive them back. The general dishonour also falls on the one who is our refuge. Who can act against Shiva? Lord Shiva will protect us from fear of the asuras. There is no other refuge in the world. Shiva is affectionate to his devotees." Holding to their fortitude, they worshipped the earthen lingam, and then the brahmanas sank properly into meditation.

The daitya and his soldiers saw the brahmanas, and Dushana said, "Kill them! Bind them!" But the brahmanas, sons of Devapriya, were set on the path of meditating on Shambhu. They did not hear the daitya's words. The evil-souled one wished to kill the brahmanas. But before he could, the place where the earthen lingam stood sank into a pit with a loud sound. Shiva rose from that pit in a hideous form. He became famous as Mahakala, who kills the wicked and is the refuge of the virtuous. He said, "I am Mahakala, who rises against wicked ones like you. Crooked one, go. Go far from these brahmanas." Saying this, Mahakala Shankara uttered the sound "hum" and at once reduced Dushana and his army to ashes. Some soldiers were killed and some fled. Dushana was killed by Shiva, the supreme self. Darkness is wholly destroyed when it sees the sun, and in the same way, seeing Shiva, the soldiers were destroyed. The gods' drums sounded and flowers rained down. All the gods, Hari, Brahma and the others, gathered. They devoutly bowed to the god Shankara, who brings welfare to the worlds. Brahmanas, they joined their hands and praised him with many hymns. Pleased, Shiva himself comforted the brahmanas. Mahakala Maheshvara said, "Ask a boon." Hearing this all the brahmanas joined their hands, and full of devotion to Shiva bowed with lowered heads and spoke.

The brahmanas said

Mahakala, Mahadeva, punisher of the wicked, lord Shambhu, Shiva, please free us from this ocean of samsara. Shiva, for the protection of the world, please stay established here. Lord Shambhu, always save those who see you.

Suta continued

Thus addressed, Shiva stayed in that beautiful pit, in order to save devotees and give them a virtuous destination. The brahmanas gained liberation. From his form as a lingam, Shiva's region extends a krosha in each of the four directions. Under the name Mahakaleshvara, Shiva is famous in the world. Brahmanas, a person who sees him does not suffer miseries, not even in dreams. A person who worships the lingam with a specific desire gains that desire, and hereafter liberation. Ones excellent in vows, I have told you everything about Mahakala's origin and greatness. What else do you wish to hear?