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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 duty. 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 his
tenacity than devotion, which was of no mean distinction, appeared before him
for 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 Baijunath after him
thenceforward. The priests realising their position corrected their ways and
commenced performing pujas with ardor due.
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