The Story of Pauhari Maharaj
The history of Baba Mahendra Nath is deeply connected with the story of Pauhari Maharaj, a revered spiritual figure remembered in the traditions of Mahen.
According to local tradition, Pauhari Maharaj, also known as Lakshmi Narayan Das, was a deeply devoted follower of Lord Shiva. In earlier times, the area around present-day Mahen is believed to have been covered by dense forest. It was here, according to local accounts, that Pauhari Maharaj spent much of his time in meditation and spiritual practice.
A Life Devoted to Lord Shiva
Local tradition says that Pauhari Maharaj would regularly sit beneath a Peepal tree and worship Lord Shiva. He is remembered as a saint who dedicated himself to meditation, prayer and devotion.
As the story has been passed down through generations, this sacred place gradually became associated with the presence and worship of Lord Shiva.
The Divine Encounter
One of the most important parts of the tradition tells of a divine encounter between Pauhari Maharaj and Lord Shiva.
According to the local story, while Pauhari Maharaj was engaged in his spiritual practice, Lord Shiva appeared before him in the form of Ardhanarishwar — the divine form representing the union of Shiva and Shakti.
The appearance of Ardhanarishwar is regarded in the tradition as a profound spiritual revelation and is remembered as a defining moment in the story of Baba Mahendra Nath.
शिवलिंग की उत्पत्ति की कथा
सैकड़ों वर्ष पहले महेन का यह क्षेत्र घना जंगल था। महेन गाँव के ब्राह्मण परिवार में जन्मे लक्ष्मी नारायण दास — जो आगे चलकर पौहारी महाराज के नाम से प्रसिद्ध हुए — गाँव के दक्षिण में बहने वाली राप्ती नदी में स्नान कर पीपल के वृक्ष के नीचे भगवान शिव की आराधना करते थे।
मंदिर के पुजारी कुबेर नाथ भारती के अनुसार, उनकी साधना से प्रसन्न होकर भगवान शिव अर्द्धनारीश्वर रूप में उन्हें उपदेश देने लगे। पत्नी को पति का भोर में घर से निकलना और देर शाम लौटना अच्छा नहीं लगता था। एक दिन वे उनकी साधना स्थली तक पहुँच गईं — उपदेश में विघ्न पड़ा और भगवान शिव वहीं स्थिर हो गए। मान्यता है कि यही गर्भगृह में स्थापित स्वयंभू अर्द्धनारीश्वर शिवलिंग है, जो भूमि के भीतर से प्रकट हुआ।
According to temple priest Kuber Nath Bharti, Lord Shiva, pleased with the devotion of Lakshmi Narayan Das, appeared to him in the Ardhanarishwar form and began to teach him. His wife, unhappy that he left home at dawn and returned late, one day followed him to his place of worship. The teaching was interrupted and Lord Shiva became still at that very spot — revered today as the self-manifested Ardhanarishwar Shivling in the sanctum.
आस्था और परंपराएँ • Beliefs and Traditions
- मान्यता है कि बाबा महेन्द्रनाथ के दर्शन मात्र से अकाल मृत्यु के भय से मुक्ति मिलती है। Devotees believe that darshan of Baba Mahendranath frees one from the fear of untimely death.
- श्रावण मास में काँवड़िए बरहज में सरयू तट से जल भरकर सबसे पहले बाबा महेन्द्रनाथ का जलाभिषेक करते हैं। In Shravan, Kanwariyas carry water from the Saryu at Barhaj and offer Jalabhishek here first.
- महाशिवरात्रि पर यहाँ मेला लगता है। A fair is held at the Dham on Mahashivratri.
स्रोत / Source: दैनिक जागरण, 3 मार्च 2019 and local tradition.
अर्द्धनारीश्वर है बाबा महेंद्रनाथ शिवलिंग
दैनिक जागरण ने महेन के स्वयंभू अर्द्धनारीश्वर शिवलिंग, पौहारी महाराज की कथा और श्रावण में बरहज के सरयू तट से लाए जल से जलाभिषेक की परंपरा पर रिपोर्ट प्रकाशित की। Report on the self-manifested Ardhanarishwar Shivling, the legend of Pauhari Maharaj and the Shravan Jalabhishek tradition.
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