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Formerly Vishnu, the favorite of the good, took his
incarnation as Rama on the earth. Rama�s wife Sita, the daughter of Janaka,
was kidnapped by Ravana the wielder of great Maya and taken to his abode in
Lanka.
Searching for her, Rama went to the city called Kiskindha. Having alliance
with Sugriva for his benefit, he killed Bali. After staying there for
sometime, Rama held consultations with Laksmana, Sugriva and others to find
out about Sita. The Prince Rama sent Monkeys, the chief of whom was Hanuman,
to various directions in order to find out Sita. On getting the crest-jewel
of Sita, Rama came to know from monkeys that Sita was in Lanka. Accompanied
by Hanuman, the chief of monkeys, Laksmana, Sugriva and other monkey chiefs
of great might and a vast army of monkeys, eighteen thousand billion in
number, Rama reached the shores of the Southern salt ocean.
Reaching there, Rama, the favorite of Siva, stationed himself on the shore,
being served by monkeys and his brother, Laksmana. They had to cross the
ocean knowing the fact that Raksasa of great strength and valour Ravana, up
lifter of the Mountain Kailasa had resorted to his strong hold in Lanka. His
son was Indrajeet, the conqueror of Indra.
Rama then told his brother Laksmana that he was desirous of having water and
told him to get some water quickly through some monkeys. Monkeys got sweet,
cool and refreshing water for Rama. Just as Rama was about to have water, he
realized that he had not yet had the sight of Siva and drinking water
without his sight was not possible for him.
He then drank water and performed the worship of Siva�s earthen image. He
worshipped Siva performing all the sixteen ancillary services like
invocation etc. with devotion according to the rules. After propitiating him
with obeisance, divine eulogies etc. strenuously, Rama joyously prayed to
Siva with great devotion. Addressing Siva as Bhavaratna (one who takes
devotees across the ocean of worldly existence), Rama expressed that ocean
was very deep and Raksasa Ravana was heroic and mighty.
The army of monkeys was a very fickle instrument of war. He believed that it
was difficult for him to achieve his tasks resulting in pleasing
acquisition. He admitted that without Siva�s help, his purpose was difficult
to be achieved. Ravana too was his devotee. Ravana was invincible in every
respect to everyone. He was haughty due to boons granted by Siva. Ravana was
a great hero and conquered the three worlds.
He begged to Sadasiva that he too was Siva�s slave and considering this Siva
would not be partial to him. After praying and bowing to Siva again and
again, Rama shouted loudly of victory and continued to eulogise Siva.
Repeating the mantras and performing the worship again and again, he danced
before the lord. With the heart drenched with devotional love, he produced
the throat-sound.
Lord Siva was much delighted. Assuming his pure form, lord Siva of brilliant
form appeared before him immediately. Satisfied in his heart with Rama�s
devotion, lord Siva talked of Rama�s welfare and decided to grant him a boon
too. Rama became sanctified and interested in Siva�s cult, performed the
worship. Eulogizing in diverse ways and bowing to Siva joyously, Rama
requested for his victory in the imminent fight with Ravana.
Delighted in his heart at Rama�s devotion, lord Siva granted him the boon.
Securing the blessing of victory granted by Siva and receiving the
permission of the lord, he prayed again with palms joined in reverence and
head bent down. Rama told Siva that if he were pleased, he would stay there
to sanctify the world and render help to others. Thus implored, Siva took up
the phallic image named Ramesvara, which is now famous on the surface of the
world. It was by Siva�s favour that Rama crossed the ocean soon, killed
Ravana and other Raksasa and regained his beloved Sita.
The greatness of Ramesvara became wonderful and unequalled in the world. It
yields worldly pleasures and salvation and bestows all desires on the
devotees always. One who performs the ablution of Siva with the waters of
the Divine Ganga and worships Ramesvara with great devotion becomes a living
liberated soul. After enjoying all pleasures there, rare even to the gods
and deriving perfect knowledge in the end, one certainly achieves salvation.
Ramesvara is thus divine. It destroys the sins of the devotees who listen to
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