The Lord with Three Eyes

We had an opportunity to visit Trimbakeshwar (30 kms from Nashik) a year and a half back. Being one of the 12 Jyothirlingas (one corresponding to each sign of the zodiac?) of Lord Shiva, it is considered extremely auspicious by devotees. The uniqueness of the temple is derived from its 3-faced Jyothirlinga embodying Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

We had hired a Tavera from Mumbai and reached Trambak en-route Shiridi. The roads are pretty decent and the last stretch before reaching the temple is extremely scenic. The entire village is built around the supporting activities of the temple and it would be fair to say that the temple supports the entire ecosystem. You have to walk through a significant portion of the village before reaching the temple and hawkers of all kinds try to peddle their wares. Some extremely tasty looking sweet-meats (particularly jelabis) were very tempting. The place to stay is the MTDC Hotel, Trimbakeshwar though our stay was too short for us to pay a visit.

Architecturally, it was one of the most impressive temples I have encountered and it is located in a very scenic location at the foothills of the Brahmagiri hill. However, we reached here on the eve of a festive occasion (I forget which) and the crowd queuing up to enter the sanctum sanctorum was humungous. Add that to the poor upkeep and priests looking for a quick buck, and I must confess I was not very impressed. We managed to find our way inside the temple and the deity is very different – only the base of the lingas is visible and three thumb-like lingas representing Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are said to be present there.

I shall, therefore, let the photos tell their tale. Do scroll down to read a piece on the legend of the Jyothirlingas as well.

The legend of the Jyothirlingas: Once Brahma and Vishnu were arguing about who was the most powerful Deva (god). Brahma, the great architect, thought he was best as he created the whole of creation. But Vishnu argued he wouldn't be able to keep it all running if it wasn't for Him the sustainer, and everyone recognized this worshiping Vishnu in his many forms. Brahma argued back, that love of materialism was love of Him and therefore…..

As they argued a huge pillar of light appeared, infinite and bright it stretched from one side of forever to the other. Awed they wanted to know of where and who this came from. Brahma went upward to search for and end or beginning, Vishnu went down to search the cause. Ages passed, and no end of this was found. In surrender they both prostrated before the blazing pillar of Light, and Shiva gave his blessing, acknowledging he was the infinite Jyoti (light).

The Lingam is the energy of creation, it is represented by a round stone (symbolic of the dome of the sky) and sitting in the yoni (representing the earth). Sometimes it has a more phallic presentation symbolic of the interwoven Divine male and female energies. There are twelve Jyotir Lingam temples found throughout India , where there are naturally occurring Lingas. These are places where the Linga was found and a temple was built around it. The found Linga already had the power of Shiva within it, it did not need pranipratishta to awaken it or instill Shiva's energy into it. The jyotir Lingam represents the atman.

There is a Jyotir Lingam associated with each sign of the zodiac. The cause of one's creation, the purpose of ones being is seen from the Linga that is associated with the sign. By meditation on this individual lingam, using its special mantra, and by pilgrimage to this holy site, one comes closer to an understanding of the purpose of the atman's creation. It will help reveal one's purpose of creation.