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Adi Sankaracharya's
Dwadasa Jyotir Linga Stotram
[Prayer to the Twelve Resplendent Lingas]
Translated by P. R. Ramachander

[Jyotirling or Jyotirlingam is a shrine where Lord Shiva is worshipped in the formof a Jyotirlingam or lingam of light. There are twelve traditionalJyotirlinga shrines in India. It is believed that Shiva firstmanifested himself as a Jyotirlinga on the night of the Arudrafestival, thus the special reverence for the Jyotirlinga. It isbelieved that a person can see these lingas as columns of fire piercingthrough the earth after he reaches a higher level of spiritualattainment. The location of these Lingas of light is given in anotherprayer called Dwadasa Linga Sthavam:

Sourashtre Somanadham, cha Sri Shaile Mallikarjunam,
Ujjayinyam Maha Kalam, Omkaram, amaleshwaram,
Paralyam Vaidyanatham, cha Dakinyam Bhimasankaram,
Sethubandhe thu Ramesam, Nagesam thu Darukavane,
Varanasyam thu Viswesam, Trayambakam Gouthami thate,
Himalaye thu Kedaram, Ghushmesam cha Shivalaye,
Ethani Jyothirlingani sayam pratha paden nara,
Saptha janma krutham papam smaranena vinasyathi.

The twelve Lingas of light are,
Somanatha in Sourashtra,
Mallikarjuna in Sri Shailam,
Mahakala in Ujjain,
Omkaram in Amaleshwara,
Vaidhyanatha in Parali,
Bhimasankara in South,
Rameshwara near the bridge in Sethu,
Nageswara in Daruka forest,
Visweswara in Varnasi,
Trayambakeshwara in the shores of Godavari,
Kedareshwara in Himalayas,
And Ghushmesha in Sivalaya.
He who remembers them,
Morning and evening,
Would wash away sins,
Committed in his seven births.]

Sourashtra dese Visadhethi ramye,
Jyothirmayam Chandra kalavathamsam,
Bhakthi pradhanaya krupavatheernam,
Tham Soma nadham saranam prapadhye.1

I seek refuge of the Soma Nadha,
Who is in the holy and pretty Sourashtra,
Who is dazzling with light,
Who wears the crescent of the moon,
Who has come there to give,
The gift of devotion and mercy.

TheSomnath temple is dedicated to Someshwara, another name of Lord Shivawith moon on his head. The temple is situated in Saurashtra in a placecalled Prabhas Pattan near the port of Veravel. It is believed that theMoon God himself had originally built the temple out of gold. Somnathis the first of all the 12 jyotirlingas. The Somnath temple has beendestroyed six times and has been rebuilt. Last time it was afterindependence. The temple faces the east direction.

Sri Shaila sange vibhudathi sange,
Thulathi thune api mudha vasantham,
Thamarjunam mallika poorvamekam,
Namami samsara samudhra sethum.2

I salute him who is the bridge to the ocean of life,
Who is in the company of all gods,
And living in the union of Sri Shaila,
Who resides on the peak of Thula,
And who is called Mallikarjuna.

TheSri Shailam Temple located in Kurnool district. Sri Shailam is a smallcity situated in the densely forested Nallamalai hills. This temple isconsidered very holy and is dedicated to Mallikarjuna Swamy andBhramaramba. One unique feature of the temple is that all the devoteeswho visit the temple are allowed to touch the idol which is notprevalent in any other temple in South India. According to popularlegends, Adhi Shankara had composed his famous Sivananda Lahiri here Itis also believed that Goddess Durga had taken the form of a bee andworshiped Lord Shiva here and selected this holy place as her abode.

Avanthikayam vihithavatharam,
Mukthi pradhanaya cha sajjananam,
Akalamruthyo parirakshanatham,
Vande maha kala maha suresam. 3

I salute that Maha Kala,
Who is the lord of all devas,
Who has incarnated in the city of Avanthi,
For giving salvation to good people,
And to save people from untimely death.

MahakaleshwarJyotirlinga Temple is situated in Ujjain, the historical capital ofCentral India. This Temple is situated near a lake. The idol in thetemple is known as Dakshinamurti, facing the south and is white incolour. Among the 12 Jyotirlingas, the Mahakal Jyotirlinga is believedto be swayambhu, meaning born of itself. The Mahakaleshwar temple ismade in five levels, one of which is underground. The undergroundsanctum is lightened by brass lamps. The prasada in the temple can bere-offered unlike other temples. According to the legends, a demoncalled Dushana tormented the people of Avanti and then Lord Shivaappeared from the ground and rescued the people and then on the requestof the people, Lord Shiva permanently settled there as MahakaleshwarJyotirlinga.

Kavaerika narmadhayo pavithre,
Samagame sajjana tharanaya,
Sadaiva mandha tripure vasantham,
Onkarameesam shivameka meede.4

I meditate only on Shiva,
With the form of the letter Om,
Who lives In the city of Mandhatripura,
Which is in the holy confluence
Of rivers Cauvery and Narmadha,
For helping good people cross,
The Ocean of the misery of life.

LordOmkareshwara or Amaleshwara temple is located in an island on the banksof the Narmada, is located on the Mandhata hill in Madhya Pradesh. TheOmkareshwar Jyotirlinga shrine and the Amareshwar temple is one of the12 revered Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. The river Narmada branchesinto two which forms an island Mandhata or Shivapuri in the center.Ironically, the island's shape resembles the visual representation ofthe Omkara sound, Om. The temple can be reached by ferry. As per thelegend, Vindhya mountain once prayed to Lord Shiva or Omkareshwara andgot blessed in return. Other story says that the Shivalinga was splitinto two upon the request of the Devas. Thus, the formation ofOmkareshwara and Amareshwar.

Poorvothare prajjwalika nidhane,
Sada vasantham girija sametham,
Surasuradhitha pada padmam,
Sri Vaidyanatham tham aham namami.5

I salute that Vaidyanatha,
Whose lotus feet are worshipped,
By all asuras and devas,
And who lives in place of eternal shine,
In the north east of India,
Along with his consort Parvathi.

Vaidhyanathis located at Deogarh in the Santal Parganas area of Bihar. Deogarh isalso known as Vaidyanath. The temple faces the east. The top of theShiva Lingam is slightly broken which as per the legend happened whenRavana tried to uproot it. Sivaganga lake is positioned just near thetemple. While the Chandrakoopa well found near the main entrance issaid to have been filled with water by Ravana from several thirthams.The Shiva's temple is almost 72 feet tall in the form of a lotus. Thereare three ascending shaped gold vessels on the top. Then there is aPunchsula as well as an eight petalled lotus jewel called ChandrakantaMani. According to mythology, Ravana meditated hard to invoke LordShiva. In his desire to become invincible, he attempted to lift LordShiva's abode, Mount Kailash. The act offended the Lord. He punishedhim but with Ravana pleading for mercy, he left him on one condition.He gave him one of the twelve lingas which were not supposed to be kepton ground in any case. But Ravana's promise gave way in front ofnature's call & kept the linga on the ground. In order to rectifythe mistake, Ravana started cutting off nine of his heads as a part ofhis repentance. Shiva was pleased by this & he joined the headsagain to the body. Worshipping Vaidhyanath Jyotirlinga is considered toeliminate one's all worries and miseries. It even imparts salvation.

Yaamye sadange nagare adhi ramye,
Vibhooshithangam vividaischa bhogai,
Sad bhakthi mukthi prada meesa mekam,
Sri Naganatham saranam prapadhye. 6

I seek refuge of Lord Naganatha,
Who lives in the pretty town
Of Sadanga in the southern part,
Who is well decorated,
Who grants all kinds of pleasures,
And who is the only God who grants,
Devotion and salvation.

Thetemple is located between Dwarka and Dwarka Island in Gujarat on thecoast of Surat. The Jyotirlinga in the temple is known as NageshwarMahadev. The temple is being visited by thousands of pilgrims everyyear. The Jyotirlinga situated in the temple is considered to protecteverybody from all sorts of poisons. It is believed that one who offersprayers in the temple becomes poison free.

Mahadri parswe cha thate ramantham,
Sampoojyamanam sathatham muneendrai,
Surasurair yaksha mahoraghadyai,
Kedarameesam shivameka meede. 7

I meditate on Shiva who is the Lord of Kedara,
Who takes pleasure in the valley of the great mountain,
Who is always worshipped by great sages,
And also devas, asuras, yakshas and nagas.

Kedarnathis a Hindu holy town located in the Indian state of Uttaranchal. And isthe northern most Jyothirlinga. The place is located at an altitude of3,584 m and at the origin of the river Mandakini, The place isaccessible after a steep 13 km trek over a paved path from Gaurikund.Rishikesh, Haridwar, The credit for the construction of this heavenlytemple is given to the Pandavas. According to the saying it is believedthat the Pandavas came to Lord Shiva to seek blessings to atone theirsins after the battle of Mahabharata. Lord Shiva evaded themcontinuously and took refuge in Kedarnath in the form of a Bull. Onbeing chased, Lord Shiva left his hump behind. This conical protrusionis worshiped in the temple. The temple is located on the Rudra Himalayarange, also known as the Pancha Parvata. It is believed that four ofthe Pandavas died on one of the peaks, Swargarohini.

Sahyadri seershe vimale vasantham,
Godavari theera pavithra dese,
Yad darsanal pathakamasu nasam,
Prayathi tham Traimbaka meesa meede.8

I meditate on the lord of Triambaka,
Who lives on the peak of western ghats,
In the holy shores of river Godavari,
And who destroys all sins,
Of his devotees who see him.

Tryambakeshwaris one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines situated 30 km from Nasik inMaharashtra. Considered to be the birth place of the river Godavari,the shrine's beauty is still well intact. A small Shivalingam orTryambaka, is placed amidst a spacious courtyard & the sanctumwhich is crowned with a graceful tower, a giant amalaka (goose berry)and a golden kalasha. The Shivalingam is situated in a depression onthe floor of the sanctum. Continuous flow of water from the top of theShivalingam adds to the mystic beauty. Shivalingam is generally coveredwith a silver mask which is then substituted with a golden mask withfive faces on festive occasions. These faces have their respectivegolden crowns. While, the silver mask is similar to the processionalimages seen in South Indian temples.

Suthamra varnee jala rasi yoge,
Nibhadhya sethum visikhaira sankyai,
Sri ramachandrna samarpitham tham,
Ramesamakhyam niyatham smarami. 9

I meditate with devotion the lord of Rama,
Who lives in the confluence of river,
Thamravarnee with the sea,
Where a bridge has been built.
With the help of umpteen arrows,
By the Lord Sri Rama Chandra.

TheRameshwar Jyotirlinga is considered as the southern most Jyotirlingamsof India. According to belief, it was installed there by Lord Ramaafter his return from Sri Lanka. Since Ravana was a Brahmin, Rama gotBrahma hathi dosha and to get rid of it, he installed and worshippedShiva. The Lord is known as Ramanatha. The temple is situated on anisland located on the south eastern coast of Tamil nadu. It is believedthat the ancient shrine was a thatched hut till it was rebuilt in the12th century by Parakrama Bahu of Sri Lanka. The rest of the temple wascompleted by the Sethupathy rulers of Ramanathapuram. There are 36Theerthams meaning water springs in Rameshwaram out of which 22 aresituated in the temple.

Yam dakini sakinika samaje,
Nishevyamanam pisithasanaischa,
Sadaiva bheemadhi pada prasidham,
Tham shnkaram bhaktha hitham namami.10

I salute that Lord Sankara
Who is the darling of his devotees,
Who is being worshipped by rakshasas,
In the company of Ghosts called Dakini and Sakini,
And who is well known as Bheema.

Thistemple is located near Pune of Maharashtra on the shores of riverBhima. And is located on a high peak, surrounded by thick denseforests. The shrine Bhimashankaram, dates back to the 13th century.Lord Shiva's killing of the demon Tripurasura is the main legendassociated with the temple. It even states that Shiva took abode on theSahyadri hills in the form of a Bhima upon the request of the Gods, onthe crest of the Sahyadri hills. The sweat of Shiva poured after thebattle ultimately led to the origin of Bhimarathi river.

Sayanda mananda vane vasantham,
Mananda kandam hatha papa vrundam,
Varanasi nadha manadha nadham,
Sri Viswanadham saranam prapadhye. 11

I seek the protection of the Lord of universe,
Who lives is happily in the forest of joy,
Who is the basis of all happiness,
Who destroys all accumulated sins,
Who is the lord of the city of Varanasi,
And who is the lord of all who do not have anybody.

Thistemple holiest of the holies to any Hindu is situated in the banks ofthe holy river Ganga in Varanasi. The temple has been destroyed severaltimes by invaders but has been rebuilt every time. It is believed thepriests of the temple have sacrificed their all several times topreserve the holy Lingam. The present temple has been built byAhalyabhai, a Maharashtrian queen.

Ilapure ramya visalake asmin,
Samullasantham cha jagad varenyam,
Vande maha dhara thara swabhavam,
Ghusruneswarakhyam saranam prapadhye.12

I seek the refuge of Ghusraneswara,
Who lives and plays in the pretty city of Ilapura,
Who is the greatest among the universe,
And who is by his nature extremely kind.

TheGrishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple is one of the ancient and holiestshrines of India.. The temple is located at a distance of 11km fromDaulatabad near Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Daulatabad was once known asDevagiri. Ahilyabhai Holkar constructed the Grishneshwar Temple.Grishneshwar is also known as Ghushmeswara. According to legend, adevotee called Kusuma worshiped Lord Shiva by immersing a Shivalingameveryday in a nearby tank. Kusuma's husband's first wife out ofjealousy because of Kusuma's piety in the society killed her son. Anaggrieved Kusuma continued her daily ritual and when she dipped theShivlingam in the tank her son miraculously revived. From then on thepeople started worshiping Lord Shiva in the form of a JyotirlingaGhusmeshwar.

Jyothir maya dwadasa linga kanam,
Shivathmanam prokthamidham kramena,
Sthothram padithwa manujo athi bhakthyo,
Phalam thadalokye nijam bhajescha. 13

This prayer which tells about,
The twelve resplendent lingas,
If read with devotion by men,
Would make them be worshipped by others.

[Translater's Note: I acknowledge my gratitude to different web sites for the write up on the different Jyothirlingas.]

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