Someswara Swamy Temple, Bhimavaram – Legends
Pancharama
Kshetrams:
According to Amareshwara Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva who
was pleased with the austerities performed by Tharaka presented him with the
Amruthalingam. He further assured Tharaka invincibility against enemies, from
defeat and death, so long as the Lingam was in his possession. Tharaka sported
this Amrutha Lingam around his neck, and on the strength of the boon, wrought
untold misery upon the Devas and other celestial beings. Lord Karthik, who led
the deities to a battle against Tharaka, was unable to vanquish him even after
using the most potent Shakti weapon on him.
Much to the deities distress and mortification, though
the weapon cut the demon into several pieces, they reunited to give life to
Tharaka. An exasperated Karthik approached Lord Vishnu for help. Vishnu
revealed to Karthik that in order to destroy the demon, he had to first break
the Amrutha Lingam and also prevent the broken pieces from reuniting. Acting
upon Lord Vishnu’s suggestions, Karthik used his Agni Asthra to break Taraka’s
Lingam.
The Lingam exploded into five pieces, tried to unify by
chanting Omkara Nadha. At that very instant, Indra, Surya, Chandra and Vishnu
himself, joined Karthik in fixing these broken pieces in the locations where
they fell. Thus, were born the Pancharama (Pancha meaning five and Aarama
meaning peace) Kshetrams, in five different areas of Andhra Pradesh — Amararama
in Amaravati, Bhimeshwara in Draksharamam, Somarama in Bhimavaram, Ksheerarama
in Palakkolu and Kumararama in Samalkot. It is believed that the worship of
these Lingams, or mere darshan of these shrines, would bestow peace and bliss
upon the devotees.
Pagunaraseema
/ Pavunaraseema:
As per local legends, Somarama was called
as Pagunaraseema or Pavunaraseema in Olden days.
Somarama:
The Sthala purana says that Gandarvas took
away Moon to their land thus the Earth was deprived of the pristine moon light
and its splendor on full moon nights. Disappointed deities sought the help and
advice of Lord Brahma to get back the Moon from Gandarvas. Lord Brahma
revealed that Moon was in Gandarva Loka and asked the deities to request Gandarvas
to send back moon to Earth. But the dejected Deities felt that Gandarvas
wouldn’t heed to their request, in the meanwhile Goddess Saraswathi advised
the Deities that they can give her to Gandarvas in exchange for Moon.
The Deities then took Goddess Saraswathi to Gandarva
Loka and by offering her to the King of Gandarvas brought back
moon to Earth.
Goddess Saraswathi with her wisdom won the hearts
of Gandarvas and got back to Satyaloka of Lord Brahma. Gandarvas slowly
realized the trick played by Deities of Earth and hitched plans to bring back
Moon to their loka again. Aware of the plans of Gandarvas, Deities alerted Moon
to worship Lord Shiva and seek his blessings. Hence, Lord Chandra, the moon god
installed the sacred Shivalingam here and worshipped and got his blessings. And
hence the temple came to be called as Somarama temple.
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