#Jyotirlinga - Mallikarjunaswamy and Braharambika

# Mallikarjuna Swamy and Braharambika

The Jyotirlingas have a significant religious, spiritual, historical and religious importance in Bharat. In addition to being a must do in the pilgrim circuit, the Jyotirlingas have a story to tell. Let us understand and appreciate the puranic stories behind these places, the history and the societal significance in the present context.

Somnath is the oldest Jyotirlinga. The temple is located in Veraval in Gujarat. (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/jyotirlingas-somnath.html).

Let us look at the story of Mallikarjuna. The Jyotirlinga of Mallikarjunaswamy is located in Srisailam 230 kms from Hyderabad. The Mallikarjunaswamy temple is particularly interesting as the temple also has the Shaktipeet of Brahmarambika.

What is the story behind the temple of Mallikarjunaswamy. It is a story that is familiar to many of us.  It all started with the fight for a mango. Once the sage Narada brought a mango to Mount Kailash. He told the children of Shiva that it was a rare mango with exemplary taste. Narada promised to give the fruit to the person who goes around the universe thrice. The quick thinking Ganesha circumambulated his parents to get the fruit thinking they are equal to the whole universe. Karthikeya, his brother, sincerely went around the universe on his peacock but was not fast enough. He lost the contest.

Karthikeya got angry that he was cheated by his brother using his smart techniques. He went south in anger and stayed at Mount Krauncha. The parents, Shiva and Parvati, missed their younger son and went looking for him. They stayed at the Srivasailam hills and visit their son rather than travelling all the way from Kailasha. It is believed that Shiva visits Karthikeya on Amavasya and Parvati visits him on Pournami.

In this pilgrimage centre, Shiva sits surrounded by mallika flowers under an Arjuna tree. The linga in Srisailam is referred to as Mallikarjuna and is one of the Jyotirlingas in the country.

In addition to being a Jyotirlingam of Mallikarjunaswamy, Srisailam is also a Shaktipeet (an important temple for Goddess Parvati). The Goddess graces Srisailam in the name of Braharambika. Brahmaram means a bee. There is ofcourse an interesting story as to why the Goddess got that name. This story is found in DeviBhagavata purana.

There once was an Asura called Aruna. He went to the Himalayas and did years of penance praying to Lord Brahma. He wanted to become powerful enough to overcome the Devas. His intense penance and sacrifices moved Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma finally came in front of Arunaasura. As per the wish of Arunaasura, he gave him the boon. “Aruna, I am pleased with your devotion. You shall become powerful and famous in all the three worlds. You cannot be killed by a man, woman, weapons, arms, by any two legged or four legged creature or a combination of these.”

Now that Arunaasura had divine powers, he became arrogant and greedy. He sent his messengers to the Devaloka to discuss surrender without a battle. The Devas had already heard about the boon granted to Aurnaasura by Lord Brahma. They were in discussion as to the best way to tackle this issue. Before they could even come to a conclusion about their course of action, Arunaasura and his soldiers had reached their gates.

A severe battle ensued between the Asuras and the Devas. The Devas were no match for the strong and invincible Aruna. He conquered and made all the celestial bodies Chandra, Sura, Agni, Vayu and Yama his slaves. Lord Indra, their king and the other Devas went to Lord Brahma for help. Unfortunately, Lord Brahma was the one who had given the boon was helpless to give them any useful ideas.

The group then went to Lord Vishnu. By the time Vishnu could come up with any solution, they heard that Arunaasura had proceeded to Mount Kailash to conquer Lord Shiva. Knowing well that Lord Shiva was a primary deity capable of tackling Arunaasura the Devas were a little reassured. The Devas went to Kailash to see how Shiva tackled Arunaasura. Lord Shiva and his sons, Ganesha and Karthikeya tried to prevent Arunaasura but were not successful.

When Lord Shiva, Ganesha and Muruga were retreating, AdiShakti came to the assistance of Shiva. She took a massive form and thousands of bees were buzzing from all her four hands. Shakthi closed her eyes and from the sky emanated billions of bees, wasps, hornets, flies, termites, spiders, and many more insect species. All these insects and flies crawled onto her body and it appeared that she was made of these bees and insects. The Devas were overwhelmed at the kindness of the divine mother who took this unique avatar to help them. They prostrated before her and called the Brahamari or Brahmarari.

The Asura soldiers attacked the huge form of Brahamari with all their might and with various weapons. The swarm of bees and insects unleashed themselves on the battle field onto the massive army of the Asuras and stung them, poisoned them and created havoc.

The Asuras were prepared for weapons and strong soldiers. They were not prepared to defend themselves against stinging bees and wasps, crawling spiders and stinging scorpions. They were terrified, in pain and unsure as to how to tackle this menace. The giant swarm of these multiple insects consumed this army like a lump of sugar.

Having done their job, the millions of insects and flies and bees of all kinds went back to the Goddess Brahmari and sat on her. She was covered by these from head to foot and given the giant size she had enlarged herself into, it looked like it was a giant bee standing there.

He was the lone leader standing there. He was angry and unable to believe that his powerful army was lost to insects and bees. He went towards Brahmari with anger and went after the Goddess with his weapons. The Goddess laughed and withdrew unleashing the millions of insects on him.

The bees and the wasps and the giant mosquitoes and the spiders landed on Arunaasura and tore him apart and consumed like a piece of food. Once Arunaasura was consumed the insects went back to the Goddess. The Goddess smiled and assumed her normal form. The grateful Devas gave her the name Brahmarambika and sang her praises.

Srisailam – the abode of these two powerful deities – Mallikarjuna and Braharambika – is an important kshetra for the Hindus which is both Jyothirlinga and a Shaktipeet.