Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga - ninth of the twelve Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva

Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga

Vaidyanath is the ninth Jyotirlinga among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is located in Deoghar, Jharkhand, in a district called Dumka of Santhal Pargana. Although scholars have different opinions regarding the actual location of Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga, but on the basis of Shri Shivpuran, this place is considered appropriate. Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is also known as Parlyama Vaidyanath or Parli Vaijnath.

According to beliefs, Savitri and Satyavan lived at this place. The incident of Savitri regaining her husband's life from Yamraja took place near Narayana Mountain. Young sage Markandeya was also blessed to reside in Parli Vaijnath. Regarding the construction of this temple, it is believed that during the time of Yadavas on Devagiri, their chieftain Shri Karanadhip Hemadri had constructed the Vaidyanath temple, and it was renovated by Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. The grand entrance gate of Vaidyanath temple is also a reason for attraction for the devotees. Among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, there is permission to touch the Jyotirlinga only in Vaidyanath.

Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga is also known as Vaidyanatheshwara Jyotirlinga.

Shri Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga Origin Story

Once, Ravana, the king of Lanka, worshiped on Mount Kailash to please Lord Shiva, but Lord Shiva did not appear in front of Ravana. Therefore, Ravana decided to perform extremely rigorous penance and dug a huge pit on the ground in a dense forest with various trees to the south of Mount Kailash, lit fire in it and installed Lord Shiva nearby and started performing Havana. Ravana used to perform penance in three ways - in standing water during winter, under the open sky during rainy season and amidst the five fires (Panchagni) during summer. In this way, Ravana performed various types of penances to please Lord Shiva, but still Lord Shiva did not appear before Ravana because it is very difficult for the evil spirits to please Lord Shiva.

When Lord Shiva was not pleased with Ravana even after various types of penances, Ravana started sacrificing his heads one by one and offering them to Lord Shiva and finally only Ravana's last head remained.

As soon as Ravana tried to cut off his last head while remembering Lord Shiva, Trilokinath Gangadhar Shiva appeared at that place. Lord Bholenath Shiva, showing his grace and mercy, restored all the heads of Ravana and gave him great strength. After finding Lord Shiva in front of him, Ravana worshiped him with devotion and humbly requested, "O Lord of Gods, Mahadev Shiva! I take refuge in you, Lord! Fulfil my wish, O Lord! I would take you to Lanka. I request you to please reside in Lanka only. Hearing this request of Lankapati Ravana, Lord Shiva started thinking. He was aware of Ravana's tendencies, hence Shiva said to Ravana, "Dashanan Ravana! Listen carefully! You can happily take this divine Shivalinga to your Lanka but remember! Wherever you place this Shivalinga on the ground, it will be installed at the same place. Otherwise, do whatever you feel like."

Expressing his agreement with the words of Lord Bholenath, he picked up the Shivalinga and headed towards Lanka. After traveling on the way for some time, Ravana felt an urge to urinate. Although Ravana was extremely knowledgeable and mighty, today he was unable to control his urinary urge due to the illusion of Lord Shiva. At the same time, a cowherd came there coincidently, and Ravana requested him to hold the Shivalinga for a few moments. Fortunately, the cowherd accepted Ravana's request and Ravana transferred the Shivalinga to the cowherd and went to urinate.

Ravana did not return even after a Muhurta had passed, because of which the cowherd boy became extremely distressed by the weight of Shivalinga and finally he placed the Shivalinga on the ground. That diamond Shivalinga of Lord Shiva was installed at its place. That Shivalinga, which removes all sins, became established in all the worlds in the form of Vaidyanatheshwara Jyotirlinga.

Suta ji says, "Sages! Vaidyanatheshwara Jyotirlinga takes away all sins. This holy and excellent Jyotirlinga provides enjoyment and salvation to the virtuous through Darshana and worship. For the salvation of all living beings, the Jyotirlinga is established at the same place. After receiving the boon of unique superior strength from Lord Shiva, Ravana left for Lanka. After reaching Lanka, Ravana told the full story of the glory of Lord Shiva to his wife Mandodari. As soon as this information was passed, many devout sages, saints, Indra etc. Along with others, they were present there and organised a special puja of Lord Shiva. After the puja, after getting the astonishing Darshana of Lord Shiva, the deities duly established that Jyotirlinga and gave it the name Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga. After that, all the deities praised and worshiped the Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga and went to heaven.

The sages who were listening to the story asked Sutji out of curiosity as to what happened after the Jyotirlinga was established there and Ravana left, please tell. Sut ji said, "Sages! After receiving the boon of unlimited strength from Lord Bholenath Shiva, Ravana reached his palace and informed Mandodari about this incident. Ravana had become more powerful and valiant after receiving strength from Lord Shiva. As a result, Fear was spread among the Indra and other deities and he started thinking that Ravana was evil and would misuse the boon received from Lord Shiva."

Therefore, to solve this problem the gods took the help of Devarshi Narada. Narada ji said to Ravana, "If you have received incomparable strength from Lord Shiva, then lift Mount Kailash so that we can find whether the boon was successful or not. " Ravana found the suggestion of Devarshi Narada appropriate and he uprooted Mount Kailasha, due to which the entire Kailash started trembling. Angered by Ravana's arrogance, Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva to punish Ravana. According to the story of Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva, seeing Ravana's ego, cursed him, "O foolish wicked man. Devotee Ravana! Do not be proud of the strength of your arms, a brave man will soon incarnate to destroy your pride of strength.

Suta ji says, "In this way, Narada ji heard the entire episode of Ravana's honour-defying and Ravana also returned to his house. Rishis! This is how I have described the greatness of Vaidyanatheshwara. The sins of those who listen to the greatness of Shri Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga are destroyed."

॥Iti Shri Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga Utpatti Katha Sampurna॥

Major temples near Shri Vaidyanath Teertha Kshetra

1. Vasukinath Temple
2. Baiju Temple