ESSENCE OF PURANAS SERIES
Chapter 17: The Legend of Kapateshwara in Kashmira
Condensed English Translation by Sri V.D.N. Rao
In the distant past, thousands of Rishis used to swarm the banks of Drushdyuti Tirtha near Kurukshetra with a strong belief that penances performed at the Tirtha would bless them with the Darshan (Appearance) of Rudra Deva. There was a dream which one of the highly respected Rishis got revealed that bathing in a Sarovara followed by sincere prayers in the large residing complex of Nagas in Kashmira would help enable Rudra Darshan and also facilitate attainment of Rudrahood; a word went round among those who were present and there was a bee-line of devotees to the specified Lake in the large predomimently Naga Area in Kashmira. But to the surprise of the devotee visitors, there was no water in the Sarovara at all and there were huge logs of wood covering it up. A few distinguished and exceptional devotees who tried to move the heavy logs were able however to discover water underneath and as they sprinkled the drops of water on themselves succeeded to accomplish ‘Rudratwa’. But the majority of the devotees returned back with no success. One ardent Brahmana named Gaura Parashara was highly dejected that there was no water in the Sarovara but persisted to continue in his penance for long time with unswerved faith and devotion. Finally, Maha Deva appeared in the disguise of an elderly Naga and asked the Brahmana as to why he was spoiling his health and torturing his body with continued penance. The Brahmana replied that he would rather die than give up his meditation. After his initial test of the Brahmana’s determination, Maha Deva revealed his identity. Guara Parashara was no doubt elated extremely at the Shiva Darshana but was still disappointed that he could not achieve ‘Rudratwa’ yet! Maha Deva replied:
Drakshyanti ye Janaah sarvey kaashta rupam samaasthitam,
Kadaachida Dwija Shaardula Sarva kaalaantu no Dwija/
Ayam cha satatam Nandee kaashtha rupee Gano mama,
Darshanam daasyatey Nrinaam tadanugrahakaamyayaa/
Tena drushtwaacha yaasyanti swasharirena Rudrataam,
Kapatenacha dasyaami naranaam darshanam yadaa/
Tadaa sanjgnaamavaapyaami Kapateswara ituta,
Thoyasya bahileebhavo Deshosmin Brahmanottama/
Darshanasya madeeyasya purvarupam bhavishyati,
Ityetat kathitam thubhyam Kapateshwara sambhavam/
(Brahmana! Those faithful devotees who desire to vision me could do so even in wood if not always. My ‘Gana’ Nandi would be always perceivable in wooden forms too. Once a devotee could glimpse Nandi, he should be able to secure Rudratva and I am there too in disguise as Kapateshwara; indeed there is plenty of water in Kashmira, even if camouflaged under wood!)
Drakshyanti ye Janaah sarvey kaashta rupam samaasthitam,
Kadaachida Dwija Shaardula Sarva kaalaantu no Dwija/
Ayam cha satatam Nandee kaashtha rupee Gano mama,
Darshanam daasyatey Nrinaam tadanugrahakaamyayaa/
Tena drushtwaacha yaasyanti swasharirena Rudrataam,
Kapatenacha dasyaami naranaam darshanam yadaa/
Tadaa sanjgnaamavaapyaami Kapateswara ituta,
Thoyasya bahileebhavo Deshosmin Brahmanottama/
Darshanasya madeeyasya purvarupam bhavishyati,
Ityetat kathitam thubhyam Kapateshwara sambhavam/
(Brahmana! Those faithful devotees who desire to vision me could do so even in wood if not always. My ‘Gana’ Nandi would be always perceivable in wooden forms too. Once a devotee could glimpse Nandi, he should be able to secure Rudratva and I am there too in disguise as Kapateshwara; indeed there is plenty of water in Kashmira, even if camouflaged under wood!)