Shloka 4
Bhaimaśaṅkara-māhātmya: Śiva’s Descent in Kāmarūpa and the Rise of Bhīma
भीमोनाम महोवीर्यो राक्षसोऽभूत्पुरा द्विजाः । दुःखदस्सर्वभूतानां धर्मध्वंसकरस्सदा
bhīmonāma mahovīryo rākṣaso'bhūtpurā dvijāḥ | duḥkhadassarvabhūtānāṃ dharmadhvaṃsakarassadā
O brāhmaṇas, in former times there was a mighty and valiant rākṣasa named Bhīma, who ever brought suffering upon all beings and was always a destroyer of dharma.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Bhīmaśaṃkara
Sthala Purana: Introduces the adharma-causing rākṣasa Bhīma whose oppression becomes the narrative cause for Śiva’s later intervention and manifestation at Bhīmāśaṅkara to protect devotees and re-establish dharma.
Significance: Remembrance of Śiva as protector of devotees (rakṣaka) and restorer of dharma; pilgrimage framed as seeking relief from fear/oppression and receiving Śiva’s anugraha.
FAQs
It introduces the archetype of adharmic power—one who spreads suffering and destroys righteousness—setting the stage for Shiva’s role as Pati (the Lord) who restores dharma and protects beings when they seek refuge.
In Kotirudra narratives, the rise of a dharma-destroying force typically culminates in devotees turning to Saguna Shiva as the Linga-manifest Lord, whose presence subdues adharma and re-establishes sacred order.
As a practical takeaway, one may take refuge in Shiva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and regular Linga-pūjā, cultivating dharmic conduct as the antidote to suffering-causing tendencies.