In ancient times, as narrated in the Koti Rudra Samhita of the Shiva Purana, there was a time when sin, ignorance, and arrogance (अहंकार) started rising among beings of all realms — human, celestial, and demonic. The gods prayed to Lord Shiva to restore balance and liberate those caught in ego and illusion.

To answer their prayers, Lord Shiva manifested in a powerful and compassionate form known as Pashupatinath (पशुपतिनाथ) — the “Lord of all living beings” (Pashu = beings, Pati = Lord, Nath = Master). In this form, He vowed to liberate all pashus (souls bound by karma and maya) from the cycle of birth and death.

During this time, a mighty and cruel demon named Andhaka—symbolizing ignorance and material obsession—attacked the heavens and disturbed the peace of the sages and gods. Even though Andhaka was born from Shiva’s sweat, he became arrogant and desired Parvati as his own. To stop him, Shiva invoked His Pashupatinath form, which was gentle yet supremely commanding.

A fierce battle followed, and Lord Pashupatinath used His divine trident to destroy the demon’s ego (not just his body). After the destruction, Lord Shiva, in His Pashupatinath form, declared:

“He who wears the divine bead born of My tears, with 15 Mukhas (faces), shall be free from the bondage of lust, greed, pride, and illusion. He shall walk the path of wisdom and love.”

From His compassionate eyes, a tear of grace fell onto the Earth, which crystallized into the 15 Mukhi Rudraksha, infused with the power of Pashupatinath. This bead was gifted to sages like Rishi Angira and Rishi Vashishta for meditation and realization of the Supreme.