There is a wonderful and interesting story behind the calling Lord Shiva ‘Panchanan’ i.e. Panchmukhi, which is associated with Shivlila and divine creation. This story is also mentioned in many other texts including the discipline festival of Mahabharata. This includes the divine Yog Shakti of Lord Shiva, his Leela, the fury of Goddess Parvati, and a unique episode of Apsara – Tilottama – which caused the Panchmukh form of Lord Shiva.
Tilottama’s birth and Shivlila’s beginning
The story begins with two demons – Sundar and Upasund – whose power and atrocities were in trouble. The gods were frightened by his power. Then with the inspiration of Lord Shiva, Brahmaji created a woman of unique beauty. This woman, composed by the most beautiful things in the world, is called ‘Tilottama’-Til-Til is made of beauty.
The task of Tilottama was to end Sundar and Upasund with their beauty. Playing his role, Tilottama started the parikrama in the Dev Sabha. As he passed by the gods, all would be hypnotized. When she reached Lord Shiva and started revolving around, Shivji expressed four additional faces to see the form of Tilottama from every direction. Thus they became Panchmukh.
Goddess Parvati’s anger and darkness in the creation
Goddess Parvati became extremely angry looking at Lord Shiva’s Panchmukh form and Tilottama. When Naradji told him this incident, he covered Lord Shiva’s eyes with his palms. This spread darkness throughout the universe, and the creation started moving towards destruction. All the gods and goddesses started praying to Goddess Parvati to remove their hands from Shiva’s eyes, but she did not listen. Then Lord Shiva opened his third eye, which caused light to spread again in the universe. It was only after this incident that he came to be known as Trimbak and Trinetradhari.
Tilottama gets the curse of Parvati
Mother Parvati’s anger landed on Tilottama. He cursed Tilottama to be ugly. Tilottama started mourning after seeing her distorted form and apologized to Goddess Parvati. Parvati J
Recovery of Hatkeshwar pilgrimage and beauty
On the Tritiya of Magh Shukla Paksha, Goddess Parvati took Tilottama to Hatkeshwar Tirtha. After the holy bath there, Tilottama again returned to her old form. Pleased, he sought a boon from Goddess Parvati that the place should be famous for the welfare of women. Goddess Parvati admitted that bathing in that pilgrimage would give women beauty and marital happiness.
