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| Om Namah Shivaya |
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At that time, the king of Kamarup was worshipping Shiva in the form of an earthen Shiva-Linga in the prison. The soldiers of Bhima, who were guarding the prison, saw it. They reported to the demon and said, "O great King! the depressed king of Kamarup is performing some evil ritual in the prison. He must be trying to do some serious harm to you. Perhaps, he is imploring his Gods to cause death to you. This is why we have come here hurriedly." When Bhima heard that, he was alarmed. He was furious that a prisoner could dare to think of doing any harm to him who was all powerful. He got down of his throne and rushed towards the prison with a naked sword in his hand to kill the imprisoned King of Kamarup.
As soon as the demon reached the prison, he shouted in great rage, "What are you doing! Don't you know that nobody can worship or pray to any God in my kingdom? Whom are you worshipping or invoking in this prison? Speak the truth otherwise your head shall roll in the dust in no time. You must be knowing that whenever I punish someone, it is always unbearable. Open your mouth at once. Whom are you calling to kill or destroy me?"
He at once replied that he was worshipping Lord Shiva.
Bhima said, "Where is your Shiva? Will you present him before me?"
The king of Kamarup was not scared at all. He said calmly, "Shiva is God and I am a petty sinner. How can I order him to present himself before you or prove his power and greatness. However, it is certain that he is supreme and can do what he desires."
On hearing what the king of Kamarup had said, the demon Bhima began to laugh and said with contempt, "It appears you have gone mad. You don't know that the mightiest of all is here before you. You are again talking of that stupid fellow who himself has lost his mind by being addicted to hemp and other intoxicants. Ask him to come here. Then I shall tell him who is greater and more powerful - Shiva or I am."
Bhima abused Shiva and ordered his soldiers, "O brave demons! let this foolish person know brave you are. Crush this lump of earth." The demon soldiers attacked the Shiva-Linga but nothing happened. The demon king was possessed by fury. Then, he himself struck at the Shiva-Linga with his sword.
As soon as the Shiva-Linga was touched by Bhima's sword, Shiva appeared there. He said, "Here I am. I am God and whenever any devotee of mine is in distress, I am there to protect him. My devotees are blessed. They attain true bliss. Now see what my power is." He attacked the demons and the fire, which emitted from his third eye, burnt Bhima and his army of demons to ashes.
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