#Jyotirlinga Ramanathaswamy

 

#Jyotirlinga Ramanathaswamy

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/Jyothirlingas-somnath.html). The second Jyotirlinga is Mallikarjuna in Srisailam in present day Andhra Pradesh

 (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/Jyothirlinga-mallikarjunaswamy-and.html).

We had covered the story of Mahakaaleshwar in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/Jyothirlinga-mahakaaleshwar.html).

Omkareshwar is the fourth jyotirlinga (https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/jyotirlinga-omkareshwar.html).

Baidyanath is the fifth Jyotirlinga and located in Deogarh, Jharkhand. https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/06/jyothirlinga-baidyanath.html.

Bhimashankar in Maharashtra is the sixth Jyotirlinga. https://bharatiyastories.blogspot.com/2024/07/jyotirlinga-bhimashankar.html.

The seventh one is the famous Ramanathaswamy temple in Rameshwaram. Let us see some interesting story, history and beliefs about the Rameshwaram temple.

Ramanathaswamy, Rameshwaram

It was early morning. The sea on the shores of Dhanushkoti was abuzz with the marching army of Rama. There were vanaras and bears everywhere. Nala, Neela, Angad and other younger folks were busy making sure everything was taking care of things and ensuring that the orders of the elders were carried out by the army.

Rama and Lakshmana were busy discussing the war strategy with Sugreeva, Vibheeshana and Jambavan.

Lord Rama expressed a desire to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva before embarking on the journey across the ocean. He expressed his desire to Sugreeva and Lakshmana. It was decided that Lord Rama would do the Shiva puja in the same place where the armies where stationed and where Vibheeshana met with Lord Rama and did a Sharanagathi.

Lord Rama wanted the Shivalinga to be got from a holy place. The task had to be done fast and efficiently. Who better to do it than Bajrangbali (Lord Hanuman)? Rama called Hanuman and told him to fly to Kashi and get him a Shivalinga. Hanuman went to get the lingam.

In the meantime, preparations for the puja were in full swing. The muhurtham for the puja was getting nearer. Hanuman had not come back. Rama did not want to miss the auspicious time. He made a lingam with his own hand with wet sand and did the puja. Hanuman entered just then with his linga and was slightly disappointed. Lord Rama decided to consecrate the lingam got by Hanuman too in the same place. There are two lingams today in Rameshwaram the Ramalingam made with Lord Rama’s own hands and the Vishwalingam brought by Hanuman. As per Lord Rama’s directive, even today the Vishwalingam brought by Hanuman is worshipped first.

The lingam in Rameshwaram has the pride of place as the seventh jyortirlinga.

(Disclaimer: The Valmiki Ramayana does not directly allude to the establishment of Shivalingam by Lord Rama. It is inferred when Lord Rama shows the island of Rameshwaram and tells Devi Sita that he did Shiva puja in that island before crossing the ocean.

एतत् कुक्षौ समुद्रस्य स्कन्धावारनिवेशनम् || ६-१२३-१९
अत्र पूर्वं महादेवः प्रसादमकरोत्प्रभुः |

etat = this; (is the island); kukShau = located in the middle; samudrasya = of the ocean; skandhaavaara niveshanam = where my troops were stationed; atra = at this place; puurvam = formerly; prabhuH = the Lord; mahaadevaH = Shiva (the supreme deity); akarot = bestowed; prasaadam = his grace; (on me).

"See this island, located in the middle of the ocean, where my troops were stationed. At this place, the lord Shiva (the supreme deity) formerly bestowed his grace on me." Valmiki Ramayana – Sarga123, Vere 19).

Other versions :

A similar reference is made in the Adyathma Ramayana where Lord Rama declared that anyone who visits the Rameshwar Lingam will be freed of sins. There is a reference to this lingam in the PadmaPurana as well. In the Koti RudraSamhita it is mentioned that Rama drank water at Rameshwaram as he was thirsty. He heard the voice of Shiva that reminded him that Lord Rama had forgotten to worship Shiva before partaking anything in that holy island.

On the other hand, in the Skanda Purana (3^rd Canto or chapter) and Linga Purana, Lord Rama performed the Shiva puja after the war in order to rid himself of the Brahahathi dosham. In these versions, it is stated that Maa Sita made the lingam with her hands.

In conclusion, we would like to say we prefer the Valmiki version as it is the primary source. The Shivapuja was perhaps done prior to Lord Rama crossing the ocean. Readers are free to take the version that appeals to them most.

Anyway, it is not too important as there is no dispute that the Ramalingam in the Ramanathaswamy temple was made by Lord Rama with his own hands and the Vishvalingam was brought by Lord Hanuman. If anything, this whole episode goes to teach all of us an important lesson that there can be no differentiation between Hari and Hara (Vishnu and Shiva). If the Supreme Gods respected each other, who are we to bring differentiation between these Gods? We got a beautiful story, a powerful Jyotirlingam and a beautiful temple for which we should be thankful.

Rameshwaram temple and thirthas

Rameshwaram today is a bustling temple town with millions flocking to the thirthas and the temple. The temple is renowned as a parihara sthalam and many visit in order to request for or offer thanks to specific prayers. It is believed that Lord Vishnu sleeps at Dwaraka, takes his bath in Rameshwaram, meditates at Badrinath and his meals at Puri.

The temple was originally built by the Pandyas in the 12^th century and was expanded further in the 17^th century. The temple had enormous patronage from the Sethupathi dynasty in that region but also had the kings of Jaffna as benefactors. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture particularly its long corridors that are world famous.

There are many thirthas (holy water bodies) in Rameshwaram, of which 22 are inside the temple premises itself. Most devotees have a bath in the sea and then bathe in the waters of the 22 wells situated inside the temple. These are believed to symbolically represent the arrows in Rama’s quiver. The water in these wells is considered sacred and millions visit the temple throughout the year for bathing in the sea at Rameshwaram followed by a bath in the 22 sacred wells. They wrap up their visit with a darshan of Ramanathaswamy at the main temple of Rameshwaram.

This temple and its architecture is not just a pride of TamilNadu and South India but for Bharath as a whole.