Do You Know the Story of Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga?

The word ‘Jyotirlinga’ is made up of two parts – Jyoti i.e. light and Linga i.e. the symbolic form of Lord Shiva. This is a Shivling in which Shiva himself is revered as fire or light. According to the Puranas, when there was a dispute between Brahma and Vishnu about superiority, then Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a huge pillar of fire and made them realize his infinity. Jyotirlingas were established at 12 places as a symbol of that divine pillar.

Earlier we have told the story of other Jyotirlingas, if you want to know how they originated, then go to our website by clicking on this link and read it. Let us now know the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga Story.

Jealousy of other sages

One day the disciples of Maharishi Gautam went to take water from the lake, where the children of other sages had also come to fill water. Now these Brahmin sons started arguing as to who would fill water first. Rishi Gautam’s wife Ahalya was also present there, so she said that since Gautam Muni’s disciples had come first to fill water, they will fill water first.

Now since the wives of other sages were also present there, they felt that since water had come here due to Ahalya’s husband, she was taking advantage of this. Angered by a small incident, those women complained to their husbands against Maharishi Gautam and Mata Ahalya. The sages made this incident out of proportion and developed a grudge against Maharishi Gautam.

They prayed to Lord Ganesha to shame Maharishi Gautam. Ganesh Ji explained that Maharishi has done good to the area, yet on the insistence of the saints, he made a plan.

Accusation on Maharishi Gautam

To pacify their jealousy, the saints sent an already malnourished cow to Maharishi Gautam. When Gautam Muni saw the condition of that cow, he felt pity and gave it fodder to eat. Unfortunately, as soon as the cow ate that fodder, it died. At this time, all the sages and saints hiding nearby came out and started accusing Maharishi of the sin of cow slaughter.

They said that as long as Maharishi Gautam stayed here, the gods would not be happy. Helplessly, Maharishi Gautam went away from Trimbakeshwar with his wife Ahalya, but the saints followed him and deprived him of every religious work.

Maharishi Gautam’s Penance

To prove his innocence, Maharishi Gautam took a vow of penance. The saints ordered them to perform a strict fast and circumambulation:

• Circumambulate the earth three times
• Fast for a month
• Circumambulate the Brahmagiri mountain 100 times
• Or invoke the river Ganga on earth
  • Maharishi Gautam and Mata Ahalya followed all the instructions and started a very difficult penance. Pleased with their indomitable resolve and devotion, Lord Shiva appeared in person.

Lord Shiva’s Blessing and Appearance of Ganga

Lord Shiva told Maharishi Gautam that he was innocent; the fault lay with the saints who had deceitfully conspired against him. Maharishi Gautam humbly prayed that if the Lord was pleased, he should make Ganga descend on earth.

Lord Shiva requested Ganga. Ganga laid down a condition — she would descend on earth only if Lord Shiva resided there with his family. Lord Shiva agreed to this, and the other gods also settled down in the Trimbakeshwar area.

Goddess Ganga descended on earth as the river Godavari. Trimbakeshwar is considered to be the origin of Godavari.

Lord Shiva himself established himself here in the form of Jyotirlinga and created Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga. One of the specialties of Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga is that along with Shiva, Brahma and Vishnu are also present here – that is, it is the combined form of the Tridevas.

This place is still very sacred for Shiva devotees and especially the importance of bathing and worshipping in Godavari is considered amazing.