Greatness of Nageshvara Jyotirlingam

Suta said

One day an attendant of the evil rakshasa saw Shankara's beautiful form in front of the vaishya. He went and told the king of rakshasas everything he had seen, a wonderful account. Daruka, king of rakshasas, came quickly. Strong though he was, he was agitated, and asked about Shiva: "Vaishya, who are you meditating on? Tell me the truth in front of me. If you do, you will not be killed. My word will not be broken." The vaishya said, "I do not know." Hearing this the rakshasa grew angry and sent rakshasas to kill him. At his order they went swiftly with weapons of many kinds. Seeing them arrive, the vaishya's eyes showed fear, but his mind was fixed on Shankara. He remembered Shiva cheerfully and chanted his names again and again. The lord of vaishyas prayed: "Shankara, lord of the gods, Shambhu, Shiva, save me. Destroyer of the wicked, lord of the three worlds, slayer of the crooked, kind to your devotees, you are everything I have. You are my god. I am under your control and I am yours. Lord, my life is always absorbed in you."

While he prayed, Shambhu came out of a cavity, inside a fine dwelling with four doors. In its midst Shiva's form was a mass of radiance, with his attendants. Seeing him, Supriya worshipped him. Pleased by this worship, Shambhu gave him the weapon called Pashupata. Shiva himself killed the bull-like rakshasas and all their followers and destroyed their equipment. It was wonderful: Shankara protected his devotee and killed the wicked. When all were dead he gave the forest a boon. Shambhu is wonderful in what he does and takes bodies in his own play. "In this forest the dharma of the varnas, of brahmanas, kshatriyas, vaishyas and shudras, will always be kept. The best of sages will be here, never with tamasic qualities. They will teach Shiva's dharma and practise it."

Then the rakshasi Darukaa, distressed in mind, praised Devi Parvati. Pleased, Devi asked, "What shall I do?" She said, "Save my lineage again." Devi said, "I will protect your lineage. I speak the truth." And she quarrelled with Shiva. Shiva saw that Devi was angry, but the lord was bound by the boon he had given, and said cheerfully, "Do as you wish." Parvati was very happy at her husband's words, smiled and said: "Your words will come true at the end of the yuga. Until then I think creation should carry the qualities of tamas. Otherwise, Shiva, dissolution might happen right now. Lord, show that my words will come true. I am yours and you are my refuge. This rakshasi Darukaa is in truth a goddess, my Shakti, the strongest among rakshasis. Let her rule over a kingdom of rakshasas. These rakshasa women will give birth to sons, and I think they should all live in this forest together." Shankara heard his wife and was pleased in mind. "Beloved, if you say so, listen. To protect devotees I will gladly stay in this forest. Whoever is seen establishing the dharma of the varnas here cheerfully will become emperor. Otherwise, when kali yuga is over and a new satya yuga begins, a lord of men called Virasena, Mahasena's son, will arise. He will be very valiant and my devotee, and able to see me. When he sees me he will become emperor." So the couple laughed and spoke together. Brahmanas, they themselves stayed in that place and brought it greatness. In the form of the jyotirlinga Shiva came to be named Nageshvara, and Devi Shivaa became Nageshvari. Both are loved by the virtuous.

The rishis asked

How will Virasena go to Darukavana? How will he worship Shiva? Very intelligent one, tell us.

Suta said

In the lovely land of Nishadha Virasena was born in a kshatriya line, Mahasena's son and loved by Shiva. He worshipped Isha with an earthen lingam and practised very hard austerities for twelve years. The lord of the gods was pleased, appeared and said: "Make a wooden boat in the shape of a fish and coat it with tin. Virasena, I will create Yogamaya and give her to you; accept her. With her and your men get into the boat, and use it to go to the cavity I made. Enter the place and worship Nageshvara. There you will gain Pashupata. With it slay the rakshasi and the rest. When I have cast a favourable glance on you, nothing bad will happen to you. Parvati's strength will be complete, and the others in the forest who are mlecchas will turn auspicious." So Shankara, remover of misery, spoke to Virasena, showed him great compassion and vanished. In this way Shiva, the paramatman, gave a boon, and Virasena became able to do everything. So the divinity originated as Nageshvara, lord of all the jyotirlingas. In the form of the jyotirlinga he fulfils all desires in the three worlds. A person who lovingly hears of Nagesha's origin gains all he wishes, becomes wise and loses his sins.