Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga

(Ref: Shiva Purana - Koti Rudra Samhita - 15)

Shiva

• Meditation: I meditate on the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga where Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati went to visit their son Kumara (in the Krauncha Parvata) and abided there as Jyoti.

• Kumara leaving Kailasha: When Kumara (Kartikeya) reaches Kailasha after going around the entire earth, Devarshi Narada arrives there and tells Kumara about the marriage of Ganesha and other events. Narada also indicates that Kumara was deliberately sent to take a round around the earth. Hearing this, Kumara salutes his parents and leaves towards Krauncha mountain inspite of his parents trying to prevent him. Getting separated from Kumara, his mother Girija becomes very sorrowful. Shiva tries to console her but Parvati does not listen. Then Shiva sends the gods, sages and ganas to bring back Kumara. But Kumara out of arrogance does not listen to them.

• Shiva - Parvati going to see Kumara: Then Shiva and Parvati both feels sorrowful. They go to the place where Kumara was abiding. Kumara knowing about the arrival of his parents, leaves Krauncha mountain and moves to a place three yojanas away.

• Shiva - Parvati abiding in the form of Jyoti: After the departure of Kumara from the Krauncha mountain, both Shiva and Parvati abides there in the form of Jyoti. Out of their love for their son, Shiva and Parvati continues to go to see their son in that place, Shiva during Amavasya and Parvati during Poornima. From that day, Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga becomes famous in the three worlds. Whoever sees this Jyotirlinga becomes free from sins and all his desires are fulfilled. He does not have to take birth again from the womb. He becomes prosperous in this world with foodgrains and riches.

• Pilgrimage: Mallikarjun Jyotirlinga, Srisailam, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh

Mallikarjun Jyotirlinga, Srisailam, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh

Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga is identified with Mallikarjun temple in Srisailam, in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.

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