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Antiquity
The Sivalinga of Vaidyanath is a gift of Lord Maheswar and it was
granted after vigorous penance and exhibitor of deep faith and
devotion to him by Ravanabrahma. According to Kotirudra Samhita,
Ravana desired to make Lankarajya invincible, and the danava race
immortal. He knew that Maheswar alone could bless him with the
fulfillment of his desires and He alone would be easily won over by
penance and prayers. Accordingly he went to Kailas and started
penance. When it could not yield the desired, he began cutting his
heads one after another and throwing them into agnikund as oblation.
Without remorse nor expression of anguish, his persistence went on
till he offered nine heads. Before severing the tenth, the Lord
appeared and said, "I am indeed pleased with your devotion, ask
anything and it will be granted anon". Waiting only for this,
he asked for the Atmalingam that could ensure immortality to the
adorers and invincibility to the place of its occupation. Lord
Maheswar, the Omni-compassionate without forethought -or insight
granted it on the spot. Together with it, pitying at the loss of
nine heads, he resorted them. And so, once again he became Dasakanth--ten--headed
Ravana. As the cut off heads were once again joined to the body, as
if by skilful plastic surgery and transplantation by an expert
doctor -Vaidya, Lord Maheswar was addressed by Ravana as Vaidyanath
-- Prince of doctors. Seeing him lost in ecstatic raptures, Lord
Maheswar advised him to carry it home without
putting on earth till he reached his kingdom. Promising to abide by
the condition, Ravana stared homewards holding the linga in hands
with piety.
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