Shri Ram Worshipped Shiva at Rameshwaram

Bhagavan Shankar is called Rameshwaranath which means the Ishwara of Ram (and our natha) . Bhagavan Shri Ram worshipped Bhagavan Shankara before fighting with Ravan and prabhu Shankar blessed him too. Now this shouldn't matter cause Rama worships Shiva and Shiva meditates on Rama. Shri Rama himself laid the foundation of Rameswaram. He worshipped Lord Shiva there just before his journey towards Lanka. He sought the blessings of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva blessed Sri Rama to be victorious against Ravana. Sri Rama asked Lord Shiva to stay in Rameswaram to help devotees and to sanctify the world. Lord Shiva then assumed the form of linga which is worshipped even today at Rameswaram. \

Sūta said:— Hereafter I shall explain how the phallic image Rāme?vara originated formerly. O sages, listen to it respectfully. Formerly, Vi?h?u the favourite of the good, took his incarnation as Rāma on the earth. O brahmins, Rāma’s wife Sītā, the daughter of Janaka, was kidnapped by Rāva?a the wielder of great Māyā and taken to his abode in La?kā. Searching for her, Rāma went to the city called Ki?kindhā. Having alliance with Sugrīva for his benefit he killed Bāli. After staying there for sometime, he held consultations with Lak?ma?a, Sugrīva and others eager to find her out.

The prince Rāma sent the monkeys, the chief of whom was Hanūmat, to various directions in order to find her out. On getting the crest-jewel of Sītā and on knowing from the excellent monkey that she was in La?kā, Rāma rejoiced much. O brahmins, accompanied by Hanumān the chief of monkeys, Lak?ma?a, Sugrīva and other monkey chiefs of great might and a vast army of monkeys eighteen thousand billions in number Rāma reached the shores of the Southern salt ocean.

Reaching there, Rāma the favourite of ?iva stationed himself on the shore, being served by the monkeys and his brother Lak?ma?a. “Alas where has Jānakī gone? When will she meet me. The ocean is very deep. The army of the monkeys is to be taken across. The Rāk?asa of great strength and valour, the uplifter of the mountain Kailāsa has resorted to his stronghold La?kā. His son is Indrajit, the conqueror of Indra. Thus thought Rāma in the company of Lak?ma?a standing on the shore itself. He was appeased by A?gada and other monkeys.

Then Rāma the excellent devotee of ?iva, desirous of water, lovingly spoke to his brother Lak?ma?a. Rama said:— O brother Lak?ma?a, lord of heroes, I am thirsty. I desire water. You get some water quickly through some monkey. Sūta said:—On hearing it the monkeys ran in all directions. They brought water, bowed to Rāma and standing before him said.

The monkeys said:— O lord, at your behest we have brought excellent water, sweet, cool and refreshing. Please take it. Sūta said:— On hearing it Rāma was much delighted. With a benign glance at them he accepted the water offered. When Rāma, the devotee of ?iva, took the water and was about to drink it, it occurred to him at the will of ?iva. “I have not yet had the sight of ?iva, the great lord, the bestower of all bliss. How can the water be taken in?” Rāma said:— O lord ?iva, O great lord, always favourably disposed towards your devotees, save me your devotee, dejected in the mind and seeking refuge in you.

O Bhavatāra?a (one who takes devotees across the ocean of worldly existence), this ocean is very deep. The Rāk?asa Rāva?a is heroic and mighty. The army of monkeys is a very fickle instrument of war. How can my task be achieved resulting in pleasing acquisition. In that, O lord of good rites, help must be rendered to me. O lord, without your help my purpose is difficult to be achieved. Rāva?a is your devotee. He is invincible in every respect to everyone. He is haughty due to the boons granted by you. He is a great hero who has conquered the three worlds. O Sadā?iva, I too am your slave, in every respect subservient to you. Considering this, you shall be partial to me.

After saying this, he drank water and then performed the worship of ?iva’s earthen image. . He worshipped ?iva performing all the sixteen ancillary services like invocation etc. with devotion according to the rules obtaining. Sūta said:— After praying and bowing to the lord again and again, he repeated loudly, “O ?iva, be victorious, be victorious” and eulogised ?iva. Repeating the mantras and meditating, he performed the worship again and danced before the lord. With the heart drenched with devotional love he produced the throat-sound. Lord ?iva was much delighted.

Assuming the pure form as mentioned and accompanied by all his attendants, lord ?iva of brilliant form appeared before him immediately. Then, satisfied in his heart with Rāma’s devotion lord ?iva said—“O Rāma, may there be welfare to you. Mention the boon you wish to have.” On seeing that form, they became sanctified. Rāma himself, interested in Saiva cult, performed the worship. Eulogising in diverse ways and bowing to ?iva joyously he requested for his victory in the imminent fight with Rāva?a.

Delighted in his heart at Rāma’s devotion, lord ?iva said lovingly—“O great king, may you be victorious”. Securing the blessing of victory granted by ?iva and receiving the permission of the lord he prayed again with palms joined in reverence and head bent down. After propitiating him with obeisances, divine eulogies etc. strenuously, Rāma joyously prayed to ?iva with great devotion.

Shri Ram said:— O Shiva, if you are pleased, you shall stay here, O lord, to sanctify the worlds and render help to the people. Sūta said:— Thus implored Shiva took up the phallic image named Rameswaram. It is now famous on the surface of the world. It was by ?iva’s favour that Rāma crossed the ocean soon, killed Ravan and other rakshasas and regained his beloved. The greatness of Rameswaram became wonderful and unequalled in the world. It yields worldly pleasures and salvation and bestows all desires on the devotees always.

He who performs the ablution of Shiva with the waters of the divine Gangā and worships Rameswaram with great devotion becomes a living liberated soul indeed. After enjoying all pleasures here, rare even to the gods and deriving perfect knowledge in the end he will certainly attain salvation. Thus has been narrated to you the story of Rameswaram, the Jyotirlinga of ?iva. It is divine. It destroys the sins of the devotees who listen to it. Jay Shri Ram, Om Namah Shivay