Post by Amritha Varshini on Aug 15, 2013 6:17:58 GMT 5.5
Article by Sri P.R. Kannan (prkannanvashi@yahoo.com)
Yoginis the first to go on Siva’s errand to Kashi
In the meantime at Mandara, Siva expressed his misery to Parvathi at being separated from Kashi. Parvathi replied that her own suffering was no less. She added: “Neither in Swarga nor in Patala, can happiness be found as in Kashi. There is no place anywhere comparable to Manikarnika. Please therefore devise a way of our returning to Kashi.’ Siva recognised that there was indeed no way to unseat or expel Divodasa from Kashi, as there was no transgression of dharma. Unless Divodasa leaves Kashi, it was not possible for Siva to return there in terms of the king’s agreement with Brahma. Siva then called Yogini Devis and asked them to proceed immediately to Kashi and attempt to create some obstacle so that Divodasa would be made to leave Kashi. Yoginis were extremely happy to go to Kashi on any pretext. Seeing Kashi from a distance, they could not believe their eyes; so much was its splendour and opulence. They assumed different forms like trader, cook, sadhvi, garland-maker, dancer, singer, instrumentalist, palmist, expert in various siddhis etc. They spread themselves all over Kashi and spent a whole year. They however failed to find any way of stirring up an obstacle, as there was no deviation from dharma. They met, discussed and decided that they would not go back to Mandara and face the wrath of Siva. Further they were able to live without Siva, but not without Kashi. They thought: “If the chief is angry, only the means of livelihood will be taken away. If Kashi is lost, all the four Purusharthas- Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha will slip away.” Skanda in this context lists the names of the 64 Yoginis stationed in Kashi, who bless to this day the devout pilgrims for successful completion of their pilgrimage.
The Yoginis are:
Gajanana, Simhamukhi, Gridhrasya, Kakatundika, Ushtragriva, Hayagriva, Varahi, Sarabhanana;
Ulukika, Sivaarava, Mayuri, Vikatanana, Ashtavakra, Kotarakshi, Kubja, Vikatalochana;
Sushkodari, Lalajjihva, Asvadamshtra, Vanaranana, Rikshakshi, Kekarakshi, Brihattunda, Suraapriya;
Kapalahasta, Raktakshi, Suki, Syeni, Kapotika, Pasahasta, Dandahasta, Prachanda, Chandavikrama;
Sisughni, Papahantri, Kali, Rudhirapayini, Vasadhaya, Garbhabhaksha, Savahasta, Antramalini;
Sthulakesi, Brihatkukshi, Sarpasya, Pretavahina, Dandasukakara, Kraunchi, Mrigasirsha, Vrishanana;
Vyattasya, Dhumanisvasa, Vyomaikacharana, Urdhvadrik, Tapanisoshanidrishti, Kotari, Sthulanasika;
Vidyutprabha, Balaakasya, Marjari, Kataputana, Attattahasa, Kamakshi, Mrigakshi, Mrigalochana.
Surya’s mission
Finding that Yoginis did not return even after a year, Siva despatched Surya with clear warning not to disturb Divodasa as long as he followed dharma; but at the same time to see if some situation could be created for him to leave Kashi. Surya reached Kashi and spent a year in bliss, assuming different forms and moving about everywhere. He appeared as a beggar, an atheist, avadhuta, Brahmavadi, magician etc. When he could not find a single lapse of dharma, he also decided to stay back at Kashi like Yoginis did. He thought: “Who will drop the gem in hand and take a piece of brass in its place?” Surya then divided himself in twelve forms and settled in Kashi. Those forms are:
Lolarka, Uttararka, Sambaditya, Drupadaditya, Mayukhaditya, Khakholka, Arunaditya, Vriddha, Kesava, Vimaladitya, Gangaditya and Yamaditya.
Skanda in this context explained to Agastya in detail the greatness of the twelve tirthas at Kashi associated with these forms of Surya with the help of story for each tirtha. For example, in the course of their travels in the forest, the Pandavas went to Kashi. Draupadi propitiated Surya, who blessed her with Akshayapatra. That happened at the Drupadaditya kshetra in Kashi. Surya protects Kashi together with its residents and pilgrims.
Brahma to Kashi
When Surya also did not return, Siva wondered at the incredible capacity of Kashi to mesmerise people, which does not allow them to leave. He then entrusted Brahma with the task of going to Kashi and doing the needful so that Divodasa leaves Kashi. An extremely happy Brahma assumed the form of an old brahmana and met Divodasa at Kashi. He praised the king’s strict adherence to dharma and impressed upon him the importance of worshipping Visveswara. Brahma expressed his desire to perform yagnas at Kashi and sought the king’s help, which Divodasa extended happily. Brahma went on to perform ten Asvamedha yagnas at a place, known as Rudrasaras earlier and Dasavamedha ghat later. Being unable to find any flaw in the king, Brahma also, like Yoginis and Surya earlier, decided to stay back at Kashi. He thought: “Kashi is indeed the superior body of Visveswara himself; Siva will not get angry with me if I serve Kashi.” Skanda expatiates in this context on the greatness of Dasavamedha tirtha and says: “By bathing in this tirtha and having darshan of Dasavamedheswara, one is freed of all sins.”
Sivaganas on errand
With Brahma also not showing up at Mandara, Siva called a meeting of all Sivaganas and apprised them of the extraordinary situation. Sankukarna and Mahakala were the two Ganas chosen to go to Kashi now on this errand. They also were enchanted by Kashi. They established Lingams, worshipped Siva and forgot all about returning to Mandara. Siva then sent Ghantakarna and Mahodara to Kashi. They also failed to return. Five Ganas, Somanandi, Nandishena, Kala, Pingala and Kukkuta by name, then followed. Siva said to himself that after all his followers settle at Kashi, he would himself go there at the end. That was his divine plan. He then asked four Pramathaganas, Kundodara, Mayurakhya, Bana and Gokarna to go to Kashi. Next Siva sent other Ganas like Taraka, Tilaparna et al. None of them returned to Mandara.
In all the above cases of failure to return to Siva’s presence at Mandara, certain facts are common. They were all subjected to a totally unexpected experience of bliss and enchantment at Kashi, which did not allow them to even think of leaving that holy place. They all argued within themselves that though disobedience of Siva’s express orders is unpardonable crime, that sin can be washed off at Kashi, which is the tirtha for destroying all kinds of sins. Further as Kashi is verily the body of Siva, worship of Siva is equivalent to meeting him at Mandara. Hence each of them established a Linga and offered devoted worship. That is why many Lingas are spread all over Kashi. Skanda narrates the greatness of each of these Lingas and recounts illustrative stories of how worship of some of them by certain persons led to relief from misery and even to Liberation. When so many Devatas settled in Kashi, established and worshipped Siva Lingas, King Divodasa never got scent of these goings-on. This is due to Siva Maya, which helped Devatas operate in total secrecy.