Trimbakeshwar.
Accordingly, to the Shiv Purana it is because of the earnest
request of Godavari, Gautam Rishi and other gods that Lord Shiva
agreed to reside here and assumed the famous name Trimbakeshwar.
Once upon a time, there lived a sage name Gautam with his wife
named Ahilya. The ultimate aim of their life was penance and
good of others. Once there was a drought. Altruistic Gautam
Rishi made a pit and filled it with water by appeasing Varuna
Deva. Seeing this, all were very happy but the wives of other
sages staying in the vicinity started feeling jealous. They
made a conspiracy by persuading their husbands, to drive Gautam
Rishi and his wife out of the area. All the sages came together
and started worshipping Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha pleased with
their devotion assumed form and being told the boon to be granted
dissuaded the sages from doing so. Nevertheless, when the sages
did not listen he blessed them accordingly and vanished.
Accordingly, Lord Ganesha assumed the form of a cow, entered
the courtyard of Gautam Rishi’s house, and started eating
grass and plants. Incidentally, Rishi Gautam came there and
started eschewing the cow with a thick stick. As soon as the
stick touches the cow, the cow dropped down dead. Unfortunately,
that moment the other wicked sages came there and criticized
Gautam Rishi for his cruelty. They told him to leave this place
and go away. Gaumtam Rishi humbly told them that he was ready
to take the punishment for the crime committed. The sages suggested
that he should circumambulate the earth thrice, the Mountain
Brahmagiri 100 times, holy bath in the Ganges and worshipping
of 1 crore Shivalingas. After performing this penance, Lord
Ashutosh appeared before them. Sage Gautam asked to be freed
from the crime. Lord Shiva said"O Sage Gautam you were
always innocent and pure. The other sages in reality made a
conspiracy against you.
Listening to this, Sage Gautama was surprised, but said that
those Sages had done many good in the disguise of bad. If,
I had done this penance, I would not see you. After this,
Gautam Rishi asked Ganga from Lord Shiva. Shiva requested
Ganga to flow down and make Sage Gautam pure. After that,
Ganga flowed down. Lord Shiva told Ganga to stay there eternally
for the good of all the people. All the Gods started singing
the praises of Gautam Rishi, Ganga and Lord Shiva. On the
request of all the Gods, Lord Shiva resided by the river Gautami
by the name Trimbakeshwar (one of the Jyotirlingas.). This
Jyotirlinga named Trimbak is the one, which fulfills everyone’s
desires. It emancipates all from their sins and miseries. |
