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The Bhimashankar-mahatmya mentions a story of the great power of this Gupta- Bhimesh. Its fame and repute had formerly reached the far corners of the land. Long ago there was a king by name Priyashva ruling in Nepal The king was extremely powerful and engaged in constant; warfare and aggression.In due course he conquered all the surrounding territory. It was in the best tradition of his kshatriya caste and there was obviously nothing wrong about his being so warlike. But he went a step further and resorted to loot and rapine, abducted hundreds of fair damsels.
This revolting behaviour enraged the other princes who got together and attacked the king in great force. The monarch was defeated and fled for his life. He wandered through jungles and forests taking care to hide his true identity. The hardships of the life made him repent his actions and his sorrow knew no bounds. There was no hope from any quarter, he would have had to lead the remaining life a beggarly fugitive. In course of time he once happened to go to the ashram of Gomil, a great sage. The rishi heard his tale of woe and advised him to go and pray ‘Gupta- Bhimesh’. The king weat to Bhima shankar and there prayed and worshipped the hidden ling. The god took pity on the repentant king and all his sins were wiped out, his kingdom restored.
There are three other tirths, 'krida-tirth’, a spot selected by Shiva and Gauri for mirth and merriment; the vyagra-pada-tirth’ and a tirth capable of removing barrenness.
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