Yatinath Avatar : The Story of The Disguise of The God Shiva

At the top of the holy Mount Arbudachal, there lived a devoted husband and wife named Aahuk and Aahuka, devoted devotees of Lord Shiva

A husband and wife are on the hill (Source : personal collection)

To test the sincerity of their devotion, Lord Shiva disguised himself as an ascetic named Yatinath and appeared before them. Aahuk, recognizing the divine essence of his guest, welcomed him warmly and paid him the highest honors. He immediately approached him with a very friendly greeting without looking at the physical appearance of Lord Shiva who was in disguise

Yatinath, who was actually Lord Shiva in disguise, humbly asked for a place to stay for the night. Aahuk felt a little reluctant because his residence was small, Aahuk was silent for a moment thinking about this. However, Aahuka did not remain silent, she encouraged and persuaded her husband to sacrifice his comfort and sleep outside the hut, so that the god Shiva in disguise could sleep comfortably. although reluctant and reluctant, Aahuk agreed, and that night, Yatinath and Aahuka slept in a simple hut while Aahuk slept on a pile of straw outside the hut. Unfortunately, during the night, wild animals approach their hut…

 Wild animal are coming to the hut (Source : Personal collection)

Aahuk woke up from his sleep and immediately took a bamboo spear in front of his hut, he ran as fast as he could towards the bamboo spear. Then Aahuk fought against the wild animals with all his might to protect his hut, they fought with incredible violence. Aahuk managed to stab several parts of the wild animal's body, but the wild animal was very tough and strong. Wild animals begin to corner Aahuk by biting his hands, preventing him from holding his weapon. Aahuk is still trying to free himself from the bite of the wild animal, but Aahuk's strength is starting to run out and Aahuk is starting to become helpless.

In the end, Aahuk was defeated by wild animals, suffering numerous injuries all over his body. Due to lack of blood caused by wounds on his body, Aahuk had to meet his end at the hands of wild animals.... Night turned into morning, Aahuka was very shocked to see Aahuk who was lifeless and seriously injured. he was silent with mixed feelings, feelings of confusion, sadness, anger and sorrow into 1 feeling. Without realizing it, Aahuka shed tears

In deep sorrow, Lord Shiva revealed his true form and witnessed the tragic event. Aahuka, undeterred by the tragedy, decides to embrace self-sacrifice by jumping into the burning fire.

Aahuka sacrificed herself to the great flames (Source : personal collection)

Touched by their sincere devotion, Lord Shiva blessed the grieving Aahuka. He predicted that Aahuk would be reborn as a member of the royal family named Nala, while Aahuka would be reborn as Damayanti. In the belief of divine intervention, Lord Shiva promised to appear in the form of a swan to facilitate their reunion.

 Reincarnation of Aahuk and Aahuka (source : personal collection)

With these words, Lord Shiva appeared as the immovable Shivalinga, which came to be known as Achaleshwar Linga. This sacred linga became a symbol of divine blessings bestowed on Aahuk and Aahuka, ensuring their destined union in their next life as Nala and Damayanti.