Description: Somnath Temple, also known as 'Somnath Jyotirlinga'
Place: Saurashtra, Gujarat
Renovator: Indian government
Gods and Goddesses: Shiv
Architecture: Hindu Architecture
Religious Affiliation: By worshipping Somnath God, the worshiper's diseases and leprosy are completely destroyed and he becomes healthy.
Somnath Temple, also known as Somnath Jyotirlinga, is located in Prabhas under the Kathiawar region of Gujarat ( Saurashtra ).
In this area, God Sri Krishna Chandra destroyed the Yadu dynasty.
Mythological Description
According to Shiva Purana, Somnath is the counted on the first spot in Dwadash Jyotirlinga.
Case of his emergence is associated with Prajapati Daksha and Chandra. When Prajapati Daksha married all his seven daughters including Ashwini with the Chadrama, he was very happy.
Chandra Dev became very happy after the wedding with the daughters of Daksha as his wife, and the Dakshaknis were also happy by getting the Chandra Dev as their husband.
Among those twenty-seven wives of the moon, Rohini was very dear to him, whom he loved with special respect and love. He did not have much love with other wives. Seeing the apathy and neglect of the moon, the remaining women were much sad than Rohini.
All those women went to the shelter of their father Daksha and described their sufferings to him. Daksha was also unhappy to hear the agony of his daughters and the mistreatment of the Chandrama.
He met the moon and said peacefully- 'Kalanidhe! You are born in a pure and holy family, Yet you treat your wives with discrimination. All the women who live in your shelter, less and more love in your mind towards them, why is there such half-hearted behaviour?
Why do you love someone more and give less love to someone? The behaviour that you have done so far is not good, then you should not misbehave further. The person who behaves oddly with the souls has to go to hell. '
In this way, Prajapati Daksha lovingly explained the moon to his son-in-law and thought that the Chandra dev would improve.
It is written in the fourteenth chapter of the Kotirudra Samhita of Shiva Mahapuran-
विमले च कुले त्वं हि समुत्पन्नः कलानिधे। आश्रितेषु च सर्वेषु न्यूनाधिक्यं कथं तव।। कृतं चेतत्कृतं तच्च् न कर्त्तव्यं त्वया पुनः। वर्तनं विषमत्वेन नरकप्रदमीरितम्।।
Due to the strong influence, Chandra Dev did not listen to her father-in-law Prajapati Daksha. Because he was highly attracted towards Rohini, he defied his duty and did not take care of his other wives and discriminated.
Prajapati Daksha was angry after receiving the news again. They came to the moon again.
Daksha pleaded with the moon to behave justly. Even after repeated requests, the when moon did not defiantly listen to Daksha he cursed him. Daksha said that despite my insistence, you have disobeyed me, so you get tuberculosis-
श्रयतां चन्द्र यत्पूर्व प्रार्थितो बहुधा मया।, न मानितं त्वया यस्मात्तस्मात्त्वं च क्षयी भव[1]।।
With the curse by Daksha, the moon was afflicted with tuberculosis in a moment.
All the gods and sages also got worried. The troubled moon gave information about his illness and its reasons for Indra and other gods and sages. Then god Indra, etc. for their support and Vashist etc. sages Brahma were in the shelter. Brahma Ji told him that whatever happened has to be suffered because Daksha's determination cannot be reversed. After that Brahmaji explained the remedy to all.
Remedy of Brahma
Brahma said that the moon should go to the holy Prabhas region with the Gods.
While worshipping the holy Mrityunjaya-Mantra methodically there, worship Lord Shiva devoutly.
Do hard austerities daily by setting Shivling in front of you. When Lord Bholenath will be pleased with his worship and penance, then he will free him from tuberculosis.
After accepting the orders of Father Brahma, under the protection of Gods and Rishis, the Moon reached the Prabhas region along with the Devamandal.
Chanting of Mriyatunjay
There, Chandradeva started the prayers and rituals of Lord Mrityunjaya. He became engrossed in chanting Mrityunjaya-mantra and worshipping Lord Shiva.
According to the command of Brahma, the moon continuously meditated for six months and worshipped the Taurus flag. Chanting and meditating ten crores of mrityunjaya-mantra, the moon kept standing there steadfastly.
Lord Shankar was pleased with his fervent penance. He said to the moon- 'Chandradev! Tell your desire for whom you are doing this harsh penance. I will give you the best groom according to your wish. While praying the moon modestly said- 'Deveshwar! You forgive all my crimes and clear this tuberculosis of my body. '
Boon of Lord Shiva
Lord Shiva said- 'Chandra Dev! Your morrow will wane on one side every day, while on the other side it will continue to grow daily. In this way, you will be healthy and worthy of public respect. Chandra Dev was very happy after receiving the blessings of Lord Shiva. He devoutly praised Shankar. In such a situation, the formless Shiva appeared in the form of realizing his firm devotion and in order to increase the importance of Prabhas region, he started calling himself 'Someshwar' to expand the honour of the gods and the glory of the moon.
Lord Shiva became Somnath in the name of the moon and became famous in the world as 'Somnath.