The Legend
Zeashta's origin relates to an important event which took place during the churning of the great ocean, Kshirasagara. Devtas and Asuras, both desirous of attaining immortality, were yearning to obtain the nectar from Kshirasagara. At the same time they were conscious that this nectar would become available to them only if Lord Shiva, who is the holder and controller of Kshirasagara, permitted them to churn it. So both parties, with great reverence, adored the Lord. Pleased with their adoration and devotion, Lord Shiva agreed, on the condition that whatever came out of it would be shared equally by Devtas and Asuras. Unaware of the nature of what would emerge from the churning, they gladly accepted the condition.
Having possessed Kshirasagara for the specific purpose of getting nectar, both parties were puzzled, as they had no idea how it was to be churned. Disappointed, they again approached Lord Shiva to bestow on them the divine power that would make the churning possible. Lord Shiva, the bestower of boons, gave them one more boon by revealing whom to approach:
- Mandara Parvata – the biggest mountain, which alone could be used as the churner for Kshirasagara;
- Lord Narayana – to take the incarnation of Kurmadevta, the giant tortoise, who alone could hold this great mountain on his back; and
- Vasuki Naga – to offer his body as the rope around Mandara Parvata, who alone had the power to make the Parvata the churner of Kshirasagara.
Delighted to have the help of Mandara Parvata, Narayana and Vasuki Naga, the Devtas and Asuras began the churning. Initially they obtained fourteen gems, one of which was in the form of Goddess Lakshmi, but suddenly the ocean began releasing poison in the form of Kalakuta or Halahala – a terrible poison capable of destroying the whole universe instantly. The Devtas, who had been given control over thirteen gems, were frightened of Kalakuta. Being extremely virulent, the moment it appeared it began engulfing and burning everything. It was beyond their power to control it. In desperation they prayed to Lord Shiva to come to their rescue. The Lord, Trilokinatha, protector of the Universe, was pleased and bestowed his Anugraha on his creation by consuming the poison. But to protect Parvati (Lord Shiva's energy), he held it in his throat. That is why Lord Shiva's throat is bluish in appearance. The Devtas and Asuras were delighted and again adored Lord Shiva, addressing him as Nilkantha.
The Devtas bestowed Goddess Lakshmi upon Lord Vishnu. This infuriated the Asuras. In their anger they snatched her from Lord Vishnu and kept her captive in a cave called “Guptagara” (now Gupkar). This act of the Asuras roused the wrath of Lord Shiva, and with his divine force he created Goddess Zeashta and Vira Vaitala with powers to annihilate all the Asuras and free Goddess Lakshmi from their clutches. When the task was accomplished, Lord Shiva by his grace bestowed on both of them the power of protection and upliftment of mankind. The abode of Mata Zeashta is a stone's throw from the place called “Gupkar” in Srinagar city. All devotees worshipping Goddess Zeashta are fully protected and receive the Mother's grace uninterruptedly. It has been a tradition to offer cooked yellow rice (in Kashmiri, “tahar”) on all Thursdays during the month of Zyesth.
This famous ancient shrine of Kashmir is, for worldly people, a place for attaining Siddhi, Riddhi and Buddhi in all fields.
Jai Mata Di