In the eastern state
of Gujarat, some fifteen miles northeast of the holy city of Dwaraka is a
temple and sacred location (tirtha).
The temple is named after the god Shiva as the "Lord of
Serpents," who is the temple's principal deity.
At Nageshvar, Shiva is represented with a linga, a
pillar-shaped figure.
The Nageshvar linga is one of the twelve jyotirlingas, or
Shiva's special places on the planet.
The narrative of the demon Daruk and his wife Daruka is the
basis for Nageshvar's charter myth.
Daruka is Shiva's wife Parvati's ardent follower (bhakta),
and with Parvati's favour, Daruka secures protection for all the other demons.
This power is used by the devils to oppress the righteous.
Shiva arrives and kills the demons as they are ready to
murder one of Shiva's disciples.
Parvati has accompanied Shiva to safeguard Daruka, her
devotee.
As a demonstration of their grace, Daruka persuades Shiva
and Parvati to stay in Nageshvar.
Some academics think the Nageshvar linga was fostered to
preserve a Shaivite presence in an important Vaishnava territory since Dwaraka
is also associated with the deity Krishna.
You may also want to read more about Hinduism here.
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