This legend relates to the slaying of the demon Jalandara
by Shiva. There are eight such legends narrating Shiva's role as the destroyer of evil.
Jalandara the demon was born, when Shiva directed his
rage, in the form of fire from his third eye, into the ocean (hence the name Jalandaran). Jalandaraasuran
grew to be a powerful demon, and dominated the world. He married Brinda,
a pious woman. The demon he was, Jalandaraasuran lusted after Shiva's consort Parvati;
this resulted in a battle between him and Shiva. Shiva created a chakra
(wheel) in the waters and challenged Jalandaraasuran to lift it. This disk, severed the
demon's head.
The slaying of the demon Jalandaraasuran is celebrated
and enshrined in the Veeratteswarar temple at Tiruvirkudi (near Thanjavur
- Tamilnadu). Tiruvirkudi is one of the 8 Veeratta temples celebrating
Shiva the as the destroyer of evil forces.
Jalandaraasuran's widow Brinda is enshrined in a
samadhi at Tiruvirkudi. It is believed that she took
the form of a Tulsi plant. Unlike in other temples, Tulsi is offered to
Shiva at Tiruvirkudi.
Shiva later on gave his discus (chakram) to Vishnu.
Vishnu bears the Chakram as one of his attributes. The legend of Shiva gifting Vishnu with
the cosmic discus is held at Tiruveezhimizhalai near
the above mentioned Virkudi and at Tirumalpur near Kanchipuram.
