ජ්යෝතිර්ලිංග 12
පූජනීය සම්භවය, පිහිටීම සහ ආධ්යාත්මික වැදගත්කම
ශිව දෙවියන්ගේ දිව්යමය ආලෝක කුළුණු නියෝජනය කරන ජ්යෝතිර්ලිංග 12 භාරතයේ පූජනීයම වන්දනා ස්ථාන වේ.
The Sacred Origin of the Jyotirlingas
In Sanatana Dharma, the word Jyotirlinga is composed of two Sanskrit roots: Jyoti (radiant spiritual light) and Linga (the divine symbol or cosmic sign of the formless reality). Unlike consecrated temple murthis made by human sculptors, the twelve Jyotirlingas are revered as Swayambhu—sacred energy portals where Bhagwan Shiva manifested spontaneously as an infinite column of cosmic light (Stambha).
According to the Shiva Purana (Kotirudra Samhita, Chapter 1), a cosmic debate once arose between Brahma (the creator) and Vishnu (the preserver) regarding cosmic supremacy. To dissolve their ego and delusion, Shiva manifested as a boundless pillar of eternal blazing light piercing through all three realms of existence. Neither Brahma nor Vishnu could locate its source or summit. Recognizing the formless majesty of Mahadeva, both offered their deepest prayers. Shiva then promised to remain eternally present in twelve geographical locations across Bharat to bestow protection, peace, and spiritual liberation (Moksha) upon all who remember them.
The Complete 12 Jyotirlingas: Locations and Lineage
- 1.Somnath (सोमनाथ) — Prabhas Patan, Gujarat
The Lord of the Moon. Canonically revered as the first among all Jyotirlingas, established by Chandra Deva (the Moon God) to overcome a curse and restore his radiant luminosity.
- 2.Mallikarjuna (मल्लिकार्जुन) — Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh
Shiva and Shakti United. Situated atop the sacred Srigiri hill along the Krishna river, where Bhagwan Shiva and Maa Parvati abide together to bestow detachment and spiritual wisdom.
- 3.Mahakaleshwar (महाकालेश्वर) — Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Master of Death & Time. The sole south-facing (Dakshinmukhi) Jyotirlinga, situated on the banks of the sacred Shipra River, famous for the early morning sacred Bhasma Aarti.
- 4.Omkareshwar (ओंकारेश्वर) — Mandhata Island, Madhya Pradesh
The Sacred Om Island. A natural island in the sacred Narmada river formed naturally in the shape of the sacred syllable Om (ॐ).
- 5.Kedarnath (केदारनाथ) — Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand
Supreme Lord of the Heights. Situated at an altitude of 3,583 meters near the source of the holy Mandakini river, consecrated by the Pandavas after the Kurukshetra war.
- 6.Bhimashankar (भीमाशंकर) — Sahyadri Hills, Maharashtra
The Destroyer of Fear. The origin of the sacred Bhima River, where Shiva manifested to vanquish the tyrannical demon Bhima and protect saintly sages.
- 7.Kashi Vishwanath (काशी विश्वनाथ) — Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Lord of the Universe. Situated in the eternal city of Varanasi on the western bank of the sacred Ganga, where Shiva bestows the Taraka Mantra for ultimate liberation.
- 8.Trimbakeshwar (त्र्यम्बकेश्वर) — Nashik, Maharashtra
The Three-Faced Lord. Origin of the holy Godavari River, featuring an extraordinary three-faced lingam embodying the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra.
- 9.Baidyanath (वैद्यनाथ) — Deoghar, Jharkhand
The Supreme Divine Healer. Consecrated through the intense penance of Ravana, celebrated for granting health, vitality, and relief from chronic afflictions.
- 10.Nageshwar (नागेश्वर) — Near Dwarka, Gujarat
Lord of Serpents. Situated in the ancient Darukavana forest, protecting devotees from all poisons, internal fears, and planetary doshas.
- 11.Ramanathaswamy (रामेश्वरम) — Rameswaram Island, Tamil Nadu
Lord Consecrated by Shri Rama. Sculpted from sacred sands by Maa Sita and consecrated by Bhagwan Rama before the construction of Ram Setu.
- 12.Grishneshwar (घृष्णेश्वर) — Verul, Maharashtra
The Compassionate Lord. Consecrated by the selfless, unshakeable devotion of the pious woman Kusuma (Ghushma), renowned for answering prayers of pure motherly love.
Devotional History & Saint Traditions
The twelve Jyotirlingas have served as the spiritual spine of Indian civilization for millennia:
- •Adi Shankaracharya (8th Century) walked the breadth of India on foot, composing the immortal Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Stotram to establish the circuit of pilgrimage.
- •Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of Indore (1725–1795) dedicated her life and state treasury to rebuild and restore the sanctums of Somnath, Kashi Vishwanath, Mahakaleshwar, Grishneshwar, and Baidyanath after historical destructions.
- •Sant Jnaneshwar, Sant Namdev, Basavanna, and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu undertook arduous pilgrimages to these shrines, composing immortal hymns praising their sanctity.
The Sacred Dwadasa Jyotirlinga Stotram
Reciting the traditional Sanskrit hymn composed by Adi Shankaracharya invokes the protective grace of all twelve shrines:
Saurashtre Somanatham Cha Srisaile Mallikarjunam।
Ujjayinyam Mahakalam Omkaram Amaleshwaram॥
Paralyam Vaidyanatham Cha Dakinyam Bhimashankaram।
Setubandhe Tu Ramesham Nagesham Darukavane॥
Varanasyam Tu Vishwesham Tryambakam Gautamitate।
Himalaye Tu Kedaram Ghushmesham Cha Shivalaye॥
Etani Jyotirlingani Sayam Pratah Pathennarah।
Sapta Janma Kritam Papam Smaranena Vinashyati॥
ඔබ දැන සිටියාද?
The word Jyotirlinga joins jyoti, light, with linga, sign. The Shiva Purana presents it as Shiva's form as an endless pillar of light.
Somnath at Prabhas Patan in Gujarat is traditionally counted as the first Jyotirlinga, and the stotra begins with it.
Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain is the only south-facing Jyotirlinga, and its dawn Bhasma Aarti is well known.
Kedarnath stands at about 3,583 metres and is the northernmost Jyotirlinga. Rameswaram is the southernmost.
Ahilyabai Holkar (1725 to 1795) re-installed Kashi Vishwanath in 1780 and supported work at several other Shiva shrines.
Shiva
හින්දු ධර්මය වෙතින් තවත්
සම්බන්ධිත ඉගැන්වීම්
එකම ඉගැන්වීම, විවිධ සම්ප්රදායන් හරහා ප්රතිධ්වනිත වේ