The story of Gajasura Shiva was narrated by Sage Dadhichi to
Daksha – who was conducting a yajna without paying respects to Shiva. The story
was meant to quell the ego and pride of Daksha Prajapati. The story of Shiva
and elephant demon Gajasura (Nila) begins with the demon performing rigorous penance. The name of Gajasura was Nila.
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Pleased with the rigorous penance of Gajasura, Brahma gave
him several boons. He got the most important boon indestructibility except by
Shiva.
With boons like longevity, untold wealth and unfathomable
strength, Gajasura became arrogant and attacked the three worlds. He subjugated
the demigods, saints and other divine beings. His rampage was unstoppable.
When he attacked earth, people ran and took refuge at the
Manikarnika Temple in Kashi (Varanasi).
Gajasura soon attacked the temple and people ran into the
sanctum sanctorum and clung to the Shivling.
When Gajasura attempted to storm into the sanctum sanctorum,
a blazing light emanated from the Shivling. The light subdued and Shiva stood
before his devotees armed with Trishul.
Arrogant Gajasura had forgotten about the conditions of his
boons. He rushed towards Shiva to attack. He roared in fury and it echoed
through the universe.
In a swift move, Shiva flung Gajasura to the ground and
violently stamped on his head. Blood spurted through his ears, mouth, and
trunk. With a ruptured neck, Gajasura soon attained mukti as he had the rare
luck of being killed by Shiva.
Shiva now radiated the brightness of a billion suns. The
cosmos was blinded and to cover the brightness, He stripped Gajasura of his
hide and covered his radiant torso.
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