Agnisvara

About

A pious Brahmin named Vishwanar lived with his wife Shuchishmati. After a lot of worship and prayer, he got the boon of getting a son Ratna. The best people named that child Grahapati. Vishwanar performed all the rites performed at the time of the birth of the child, provided good education and initiation to the child and provided excellent upbringing. At the age of five years, the child underwent the Upanayana Sanskar and was given Brahmanopadesh. The child learned everything from his father and teacher. One day Narad Muni came to Vishwanar's house. Narad Muni was very well received by Vishwanar and his family. Narad Muni became overjoyed by such divine hospitality. Narad Muni made Grahapati sit on his lap and examined him in detail. Then Narad Muni told his parents that this child has all the signs of Raja Yoga. Its all-round and its behavioral skills show its combined yoga, but at the age of twelve, its life is in serious danger due to fire. Saying this, Narad Muni left. Both the parents were shocked to hear this. Vishvanara fainted and his wife wept bitterly. Distressed by the condition of his parents, Grahapati told them that he would go to Kashi and worship Lord Shiva there in the form of Mrityunjaya. He came to Kashi, took bath in Manikarnika shrine and offered prayers to Lord Vishweshwara. Soon Grahapati established a Shivling and started severe penance to please Lord Shiva. He anointed this Linga with 108 pitchers of Ganges water and offered various flowers, Akshat. He kept fasting continuously for two-three years and now his condition has become twelve years old. The time of danger foretold by Narad Muni had arrived. Lord Indra appeared before Grahapati and granted him a divine boon. Grahapati respectfully said that he was worshiping Shiva and only Shiva would give him a boon, no one else. Lord Indra said that he is the only god who can give boons. Grahapati again repeated his words in a dignified manner, but this made Indra very angry and attacked Grahapati with his Vajra weapon. Due to this the Grahapati fell down on the ground. Then Lord Shiva appeared and he woke up the Grahapati and raised him. Grahapati woke up, feeling as if he had awoken from a deep sleep. He saw Lord Shiva appearing before him in human form. Lord told Grahapati that he was tested, Shiva devotees need not be afraid of anyone because all these devotees are under the shadow of almighty. The Shiv Linga established by the Grahapati became popular as the Agnishwar Linga. The devotees who worship Agnishwar Linga have no fear of fire and they will not be troubled by the fear of premature death. One who worships fire in Kashi attains the abode of fire. By saying all these words, Lord Shiva got absorbed in Agnishwar Linga.