TYRANT KING

According to still another version Bhairav was a tyrant king who ruled the area roundabout Trikutta range in some remote past. People were sick of his misrule and immoral ways of life. They were, however; too afraid of his zulum to do anything. In those sordid environs, Vaishno Devi, a dauntless daughter of the soil, rose to the occasion and led people in a brave upsurge against the truculent despot

Bhairav and ultimately delivered them from his oppressive rule; therefore the worship that people have been offering her ever since.

This is an interesting and inspiring account, which needs to be investigated thoroughly. It may, indeed, turn out to be an actual historical anecdote in some hoary past, which during the lapse of centuries had assumed a religious significance. Numerous such gripping anecdotes of matchless valor, unshakable probity, inspiring sacrifice for some noble cause etc. etc. lie hidden in large number of samadhis in many parts of Jammu region. Though their true significance has been buried under patina of time, people do gather together every year on a number of these samadhis on some auspicious days and offer prayers there. A few of these sagas of bravery have already been brought to light in their historical perspective over the past some years. Most well-known of these is the story of Bawa Jito who was a devotee of Shri Vaishno Devi and whose samadhis lies 25 Kms from Jammu city. He had sacrificed himself fighting for the rights of the peasants about five hundred years ago. His birthplace Agor Jito, near Katra has now been much developed by the Shrine Board. Some other such notable characters on whom light has been focused so far are Bua Bhagan, Sheela Wanti, Mahi Mal and Dada Ranpat.

Who knows Vaishno Devi may also emerge as some such personae dramatis in a great and ennobling real-life drama whose lingering traces could still be detected instead of being merely a scriptural character and mythical goddess?

It was on the Trikutta Mountain that Mian Deedo a valiant rebel against the outside dominance over Jammu sacrificed his life in full battle-harness after praying at the feet of Vaishno Devi. It is in this very area that Bawa Jito carried on an undaunted struggle against the excesses of the landlords. It is again here that the samadhi of Banda Vir Vairagi, who constituted another saga of intrepid fighting in Indian chronicles, lies on the bank of river Chenab. The puissant General Zorawar Singh, who shattered Chinese dream of over - running Ladakh and Kashmir, also belonged to this very area and was an ardent votary of the Devi. Vaishno Devi will thus continue to inspire devotees to higher values.

In the holy cave, Vaishno Devi is represented by three goddesses’ viz. Maha Laxmi, the goddess of beauty and wealth, Maha Kali, the vanquisher of the evil, and Maha Sarswati, the Muse of art and learning. This aspect makes the spectrum of virtues of which Shri Vaishno Devi is the epitome still wider and enthralling. She is Maha, Maha, Maha Shakti, and the source of all bliss.