Avatar Bhikshuvarya: The Incarnated Monk Of Shiva Dharmagupta's Savior

In the kingdom of Vidarbha, there once lived a king named Satyaratha. He was a man of righteousness, his soul bound to dharma, and truth flowed from his lips. Deeply beloved by the great devotees of Lord Shiva, King Satyaratha ruled his land with unwavering virtue, following the path of dharma as taught by the divine.

Battle Of Kings Satyaratha And King Shalwa (Source: Private Colection)

Time passed, and the king continued to live in harmony with the sacred teachings of Shiva. However, one fateful day, King Shalwa launched a massive assault on the city with an army of countless soldiers. A fierce battle ensued. With unmatched bravery, the King of Vidarbha fought against the invaders. But destiny had other plans. His army was crushed, and he fell in battle. With the king slain, the remaining soldiers and ministers fled in terror. 

The Queen's Escape (Source: Private Collection)

The queen, who was pregnant with the king’s heir, was captured by the enemy. Yet, under the veil of night, she managed to escape the city, her heart heavy with grief. She wandered eastward, her thoughts filled with prayers and the memory of her beloved king. After a long and arduous journey, at dawn, the queen’s tired eyes fell upon a shimmering lake, a gift of Shankara’s compassion. Exhausted, she sat by the water’s edge, resting beneath the shade of a tree. At the auspicious hour, as fate decreed, the queen gave birth to a divine son, a child blessed with all the marks of fortune. But once again, fate struck cruelly. Thirsty and worn, the queen went to the lake for water, only to be devoured by a lurking crocodile.

The newborn prince, now left alone, cried out in hunger and thirst. With both his mother and father gone, he lay by the lake, weeping in the wilderness. Yet, even in this desolation, the compassionate Lord Mahesha, protector of all beings, watched over the child.

At that very moment, a poor Brahmin widow, living a life of humble begging, wandered near the forest with her one-year-old son in her arms. Her heart, stirred by the divine will of Isha, led her to the crying infant. Startled, she thought, “What a miraculous sight! This newborn, lies here unprotected.

Arrival Od Bhikshuvarya (Source: Private Collection)

As she pondered the wonder before her, Lord Shiva, filled with mercy, took the form of a wandering monk and approached the Brahmin woman. With gentle words, He guided her, then revealed His true form, filling her with awe. Realizing she was in the presence of the great Lord Shankara, she bowed in reverence, her heart overflowing with love and devotion. But just as suddenly as He appeared, Lord Shambhu, in the guise of the monk, vanished from sight.

The Brahmin woman, her doubts dissolved, took the orphaned prince into her care and brought him home alongside her own child. They lived in a beautiful village called Ekachakra.

The widow lovingly raised the prince, whom she named Dharmagupta, alongside her son, nurturing them with the best food and care. Sacred rites and ceremonies were performed by the village Brahmins, and both boys grew up strong in the ways of devotion, worshipping Lord Shiva with deep reverence. They followed the sacred vows taught by the sage Shandilya, offering prayers to Shambhu each night.

One day, while the Brahmin boy was away, the prince went to the river to bathe. There, he stumbled upon a pot filled with riches. In their joy, they continued their worship of Shambhu and lived happily for the next four months.

Dharmagupta's Wedding (Source: Private Collection)

A year later, by Lord Shiva’s blessings, the prince ventured to the edge of the forest with his Brahmin friend. Suddenly, a celestial gandharva appeared and offered his daughter’s hand in marriage, along with his kingdom. Free from obstacles, Dharmagupta ruled his kingdom with wisdom, honoring the Brahmin woman as his mother and the Brahmin boy as his brother.

Thus, Dharmagupta reigned peacefully over the kingdom of Vidarbha. He lived in joy with his queen and continued his unwavering devotion to Lord Shiva, the god of gods. This story, filled with purity, leads to happiness. It is a sacred tale that paves the way to fulfilling all desires and achieving dharma, artha, kama, and moksha. Those who hear this tale with self-restraint or share it with others will see their dreams fulfilled and, in the end, attain the holy abode of Lord Shiva.