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The
Baiju Episode
The Atmalinga popular as Ravaneswara linga thus left there was
adored even after his death, by devotees for long, but later in the
Kaliyuga, the slothful priests grown impious due to amassing wealth
by easy means, abandoned worshipping it. A cattle-keeper by name
Baiju, who was regularly worshipping it with utmost piety, found
this
lapse unbearable. But he could do nothing due to his low position.
In a fit of anger he vowed to break it to pieces with his heavy club
for the sole purpose of opening the eyes of the erring priests. He'
tried but could not make any dent; for the Sivalinga was
impregnable. Being adament, he resolved to breaking it little by
little as a daily routine way. He decided to implement his plan
before meal everyday. He put his resolution into practice. Before
taking food, he was using all his strength on the Sivalinga with his
club, but it remained stubborn -not a chip came out of it. Yet he
continued. One day in hurry he forgot it and sat down for food; but
before raising his hand to mouth, he remembered his vow. Dropping
it, he dashed off and with uncontrollable anger, he struck it with
all strength at his command. The Lord pleased more with the tenacity
than devotion, which was of no mean distinction, appeared before him
to fulfilling his ardent ambition of offering regular prayers to the
linga with due agamic rites. The overjoyed cowherd prostrated before
Him. The Lord lifting him said that the presiding deity would be
called Baijnath after him thenceforward. The priests realizing their
position corrected their ways and commenced performing pujas with
ardour due.
Our
journey halts at Srisailam, where the Lord with mere darsan of the
tower of his abode is ensuring the asthikas with the much coveted
birthlessness.
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