LORD KHANDOBA OF JAJURI

ANTIQUITY

Lord Khandoba has several other names like Marthand Bhairav, Mailar Malhari, Ravanath Mhalsakant, Yel koti Mahadev etc., and he created a glittering history that begins in the Vedic times. The glorious role he played to restoring peace in the world after the death of Madhu and Kaitabha began with the birth of Mani and Malla. The story goes that Lord Vishnu rescued once Brahma from the atrocious acts of Madhu and Kaitabha by killing them on his thighs. It is from their corpses-Mani and Malla were bron, and like their predecessors they wanted to establish full sway over all the worlds. So they performed ghora tapas, propitiating Lord Siva. When he gave darsan to grant boons, they prayed to him, "O Kind Lord grant us power to rule over the universe by defeating all the living beings - surasuras and manavas. We should not be killed by either weapons or chants at any time and anywhere". Lord Siva uttering 'Thadasti' asked earnestly to bestow on him a boon for acting as their destroyer, with a view put to an end to their inhuman ambition and endless greed. Puffed up with over-weaning confidence, they said in a nonchalant way - "Yes granted!" That alone brought their miserable end at the hands of Marthand Bhairav, another name for Lord Siva. On obtaining that mighty boon, Mani and Malla launched the campaign of destruction and soon conquered the whole universe. Their wicked dictatorship brought woe to the living beings including gods, as fire and rapine became rampant everywhere. At the instance of Narada, the afflicted went first to Dhevalagiri near the Jeguri Hills and took refuge, but they were not safe there. They met Lord Mahavishnu as advised by Devendra, who taking pity on them expressed his helplessness due to the powerful boons granted by Lord Siva. So he directed them to Lord Siva, their ultimate and sure redeemer. Approaching him they gave a detailed account of the devanakrityas perpetrated by those formidable Rakshasas. The picture of their rapacious rule and the horrors it created moved him. Assuring instant action, he dispersed them.

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