Pashupatinath (Shleshmantaka Forest)

Shleshmantaka Forest: Lord Shiva roaming in the Shleshmantaka Forest as a deer with Devi Parvati:

(Nepala Mahatmya - 1)

Shiva - Parvati

• Meditation: I meditate on Lord Shiva roaming in the Shleshmantaka Forest as a deer with Devi Parvati.

• Lord Shiva going to Shleshmantaka Forest: Shleshmantaka Forest (Ancient Nepal) was a beautiful forest on the bank of river Vagmati with various Trees like Shala, Tala, Tamala, Hintala, Kharjura, Nagaranga, Bijapura etc. It was also adorned with various flowers and had beautiful cascades. After seeing this forest, Lord Shiva became very pleased. He left Kailasha and Kashi and roamed inside the Shleshmantaka Forest as a deer (unknown to the Gods) with Devi Parvati taking the form of a doe.

• Gods searching for Lord Shiva: Not finding Lord Shiva anywhere, the Gods including Brahma and Sages including Narada started searching for Lord Shiva in the three worlds.

• Gods detecting Lord Shiva in the Shleshmantaka Forest: Finally, the Gods detected Lord Shiva in the Shleshmantaka Forest. But even then Lord Shiva did not give up the deer form.

• Gods trying to control the deer: The Gods tried to control the deer by capturing it by holding its horn. Brahma, Vishnu and Indra held the deer by its horn. The deer jumped and its horn broke into four parts.

• Lord Shiva became known as Pashupati: The deer jumped across river Vagmati. The Gods prayed Lord Shiva to return to Kailasha or Kashi. However, Lord Shiva said that he will stay there in that forest. Since he is stationed in the Shleshmantaka Forest in the form of a pashu (animal), he will be known as Pashupatinath (Lord of Pashus).

• Parts of the horn of the deer installed as Lingas: Lord Shiva told Brahma, Vishnu and Indra to install the parts of the horns of the deer as Lingas.

• Devi Parvati abiding as Guhyeshwari: Devi Parvati also wished to stay there. Lord Shiva told that previously the Guhya of Devi Sati fell in that place. Since she is staying there out of love, she will be known as Vatsala.

• Gods coming to Shleshmantaka Forest: When Lord Shiva abided in the Shleshmantaka Forest, the Gods also started abiding there. Devi Kalika came there and became known as Jayavagishwari. Devi Rajrajeshwari came there. Vasuki Naga came there from Patala.

• Lord Buddha practiced penance in Shleshmantaka Forest: Lord Vishnu came as Lord Buddha and practiced penance in the Manidhatu mountain. A river came out of his sweat and became known as Manimati. Devi Parvati appeared before him as Vajrayogini and bestowed boon to him. Devi Parvati gave the boon that since Lord Shiva is abiding there and Lord Buddha also performed penance there, even Shaivites will practice Buddhism there. Lord Buddha installed a Linga by name Karunikeshwara on the confluence of river Vagmati and Manimati.

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