Our Scriptures emphasize the fact that' Lord
Vishnu incarnates on this earth to protect righteous and virtnous people
by punishing the perpretrators of evil and cruelty.
Those were the days of Kshatriya kings
lording over the world and they had turned so tyrannical that good people
felt impossible to bear it. They prayed to Mahavishnu to save them. In
response to their prayer Mahavishnu incarnated as the son of sage
Jamadagni and Renuka and was given the. name Bhargavarma. As a child
he showed great promise. As he was holding a Parashu (axe) he got another
name, 'Parashurama'.
Once king Karthaveeryarjuriavisited the
hermitage of sage Jamadagni. He had come to that area for hunting along
with his vast nuinberof servants. They were all tired after hunting and
needed food and rest. The sage wekomed them. with love and extended them
great hospitality by serving sumptuous food. The king after getting over
his tiredness· exchanged pleasantries with the king. What had surprised
him was the sage's hospitality to vast number of guests. He asked
sage Jamadagni, the secret of his ability to feed his guests. Jamadagni
told him about Nandini, daughter of Kamadhenu, a cow in his possession.
The cow had the power of providing food at anytime to any
number of people. She was a gift of Devatas to sage Jamadagni.
The king on hearing about Nandini
grew greedy of possessing it. He asked the sage to give it to him as it
was his right, as a king to possess such things. His request having been
denied the 'king used his force and took away Nandini. All these things
happened during the absence of Bhargava.
When Bhargava came home he saw the
hermitage all in disorder. His father was lying with his hands and legs
bound and Nandini was missing. On hearing from his mother about the
excesses committed by the king his fury knew no bounds. He rushed to the
place of king - Karthaveerya and slew him. On returning home with Nandini,
more tragedy awaited him. His father had become victim to the atrocities
of Kshathriyas. On seeing her son return the mother beat her bosom twenty
one times and breathed her last' being unable to withstand the grief.
Parashurama
was convinced that it was time the wicked Kshatriyas were taught a lesson.
He swore to cleanse the world by annihilating the weedlike Kshatriyas.
Going on twenty one expeditions around the world he went on a killing
spree and annihilated Kshatriyas who symbolized evil and tyranny. The land
he won from the slain kings was extensive and he gave every inch of it to
sage Kashyapa.in charity. Having fulfilled his vow he started his ,
penance in Sahyadri to propitiate Lord Shiva
and seek his guidance. He had no intention of staying back in the land
that had been given away in charity.
Lord
Shiva a appeared before him and said, "Pray to Varuna to grant you a
piece of land. When he. comes before you ask him to recede and
vacate some extent of Land which he can grant you. If he does not oblige
you can show your axe and he will yield. The land thus got from the sea
shall be your area of activity. It will be, known as "Parashurama
Sristi" and prove to be a hallowed and holy land, 'and abode of
saints and sages, Goddess Mangaladevi will sanctify that place embodying
the power of Shiva and
Shakti
.
Having advised Parasurama thus, Shiva disappeared.
Parashurama did as instructed by Lord
Shiva. Varuna, king of the ocean did not oblige him and Parashurama had to
threaten him brandishing his axe. Finally, yielding he appeared before him
and promised to grant the land covered by the axe thrown by him. Thus
Parashurama managed to acquire land.
Stepping on the new piece of land he
located a hillock which was suited for his meditation. He dwelt in that
place and resorted to meditation. Pleased by his penance and divine
performance goddess Mangaladevi appeared before him and said "Son, l
am pleased with your sincere devotion. Long ago Sri Hari, after slaying
Hiranyaksha took the form of a stone and that is lying hidden in a mound.
From this mound drops of water trickle down and flow making a river. As
the drops of water come from the eyes of Sri Hari in his Varaha form, this
river will be known as 'Netravati'. Near Sahasraling a Kshetra, Netravati
will be joined by Kumaradhara. This river, before merging into the sea
will be joined by the river Phalguni. At that very spot of convergence I
had slain Andasura. There you will find a linga which is the symbol of
Shiva Shakti. Build a shrine at that place and install the Linga and a
Dharapatra. Appoint virtuous Brahmins to carry out the Worship. Then you
can proceed to Badarikashrma to lead your hallowed life granting the
wishes of your devotees':. With these words the goddess disappeared.
Bhargavarama, as instructed by
goddess Mangaladevi came to the place where the three rivers converge. He
found the linga.With Vishwakarma's help he built a beautiful shrine and
installed the ling a and Dharapatra. For conducting the worship he
appointed, Brahmins of great erudition and high moral character.
Having executed the instructions of
goddess Mangaladevi he left the place for Badarikashrama.
Thus the stala purana of Mangaladevi
reveals its development in Tretayuga .
Veerabahu was the king of Tulunadu.
When he became old he handed over his kingdom to Bangaraja with the
approval of his master sage Bharadwaja. Veerababu had no children and
after relieving himself of the responsibilities of the king he became a
recluse.
Bangaraja proved a worthy successor
to Veerababu. He ruled ills kingdom well and brought more glory and fame
to his kingdom. On a certain night while he was sleeping goddess
Mangaladevi appeared in his dream. and revealed to him that at the spot
where the Nethravathi and phalguni rivers converge there was a mound under
which lay the remains of a shrine. Mother goddess bade him to recover from
the remains the Shivashakti Linga and the Dharapatra and install them in a
shrine newly built. Then, she further said arrangements be made for the
regular worship il:l the temple. She promised him that these services
would bring him glory and happiness.
The king, not being able to
decide as to what he should do consulted sage Bharadhwaja. Saint
Bharadhwaja was very much pleased with the king and encouraged him to
fulfill the wishes of the Mother goddess. He wanted him to know the past
events which had made the place a hallowed and blessed one. Listening to the story
of Vikhasini, Andasura and also sage Parashurama , Bhangraja decided to
execute the responsibility entrusted to him by goddess Mangaladevi
herself.
Thus a beautiful shrine was built and
the Linga symbolising Shiva and Shakti, along with Dharapatra was
installed. Once again , the splendour of the shrine began to attract the
pious people.
At a later stage, the temple was once
again renovated when it was found in a dilapidated condition by Kundavarma
under the guidance of Machhendranath and Goraknath, holy saints of the
Natha cult.
The place name Mangalapura owes its
origin to the temple of Mangaladevi. The pious people even today believe
that worship of Mangaladevi brings them prosperity and happiness. The
temple has a special significance for the maidens. Maidens who observe
Mangala Parvathi Vrata will have their wish of having a suitable match,
fulfilled. Those who celebrate their wedding in this holy place will have
a happy married life.
