LEGENDS

According to an often-told legend, Vaishno Devi, born in the house of Ratnakar Sagar, had taken a vow to marry only Shri Rama. She continued to pray for that. Shri Rama during exile happened to pass by her abode and came to know of her resolve. He was impressed by her devotion and firmness but told her that since he was already married he could not take her as his spouse. But she would not be dissuaded. At last, Shri Rama counseled her to continue her prayers for him until he could meet her in some next Yuga. She without demur acquiesced and came to take her abode in this sequestered recess of the Trikutta Mountain. She is praying their forever for her primordial lord. That is why she is known as Adhi Kanwari that is virgin forever. This term is, however, ascribed another origin in which word Adi has been corrupted as Adhi or half. This second legend, contrasting sharply with the poignant story above, concerns the evil-ridden and dastardly tale of passion-blinded Bhairav who tried to wed her forcibly but met his fate at her hands and is being trampled ever since by her devotees to be an abject lesson to all malefactors. According to this legend, attracted by her bewitching beauty, the demon Bhairav asked for her hand in marriage, which she spurned disdainfully. That infuriated the powerful demon that then tried to force the marriage on her, proud as he was of his might. Vaishno Devi escaped to the Trikutta Mountain but was overtaken by him at Adhi Kanwari, which is a charming little plateau along the arduous ascent. Bhairav started the performance of marriage rites there. But when halfway through, as the legend goes, she again made a bid for escape. Hence the name of the place as Adhi Kanwari or half-virgin. Anyhow, Bhairav again pursued her. A fierce battle ensued between the two at Bhairav Ghati and she escaped again. But Bhairav blinded by insatiable Passion continued after her and another fight started at the cave site. When Vaishno Devi saw that in spite of getting so many opportunities to desist from his evil designs, Bhairav had remained adamant, she taking on the incarnation of the annihilator of the evil, beheaded him so that his head was thrown away at the present Bhairav Ghati. After that she went inside the cave and is enshrined ever since there. The devotees entering the cave trample over the " petrified body " of the giant. They visit the Bhairav temple only on their return after the Darshan of the Devi. Many religious-minded people, however, decry this legend. Their contention is that Bhairav was a form of Lord Shiva; therefore, how was it possible for him to have indulged in such heinous acts? This narrative is, therefore, considered sacrilegious. However, the question is how did this story become so widely current among all and sundry?

The answer is provided by a study of various Puranas where quite a few similar stories are related about Durga who is said to have manifested in several different forms to destroy various giants who had become troublesome to the gods.

In Markandya Purana, Durga annihilated demons Sumba and Nisumba who endeavored to have forcible marriage with her. Fight with them took place in the Himalayas where Durga is said to have taken her abode. She destroyed both of them along with their several generals including Raktavija who was so dreadful that each time he was killed numerous giants arose from his blood.

Similarly in Vamana Purana she killed Mahish asura when the latter tried to force her into marriage.

It appears that some fertile brain invented a similar story about Vaishno Devi also who is only another form of Durga. The raconteur in his anxiety to connect her with some giant chose Bhairav who is a terrifying shape of Lord Mahadeva.