How Lord Shiva Saved A British Officer From The Afghans: Col. Martin's Story

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British ruled our country for two centuries, and left their deep cultural imprints on the psyche of Indians, who lost a part of their rich cultural personality to the British onslaught. Britishers tried to spread the gospel of Christ in India with a main intention to bring the average Indian under the umbrella of Christianity. Although our rich ancient customs and traditions were never understood by the British who had a prejudiced understanding of everything Indian, there was this British Officer from the East India Company who truly bowed to the divine grace and magnificence of Lord Shiva after he experienced a miracle which was later reported everywhere. Colonel Martin, was a rational thinking British officer whose experience with India changed him forever. The year 1879 changed the British officer's view of India and its sacred religion, for good.

One fine day in the year 1879....

The year 1879 proved challenging to the East Indian company that was ruling India at that time. A British regiment from India had been commissioned to counter the attack of the Afghans who were striking terror in the hearts of the British. An officer of the British Army, namely Lt. Col. Martin who headed the Agar Malva was sent to lead the British troops against Afghanistan.

He was a much-married young man who was for the time being, separated from his wife at home in India. But he never failed to send letters every day to his wife, that assured her of his wellbeing and that was the only way she could know that he was safe there. Few days passed with letters coming in every day except for one day, when the messages suddenly stopped reaching her. Worried and distraught, Mrs. Martin spent days, stressed and in hopeless anticipation.

As Lady Martin stops by The Shiva Temple.....

One day, she set out on her horse and as the horse cantered its way, through the village area, she reached a point where she heard sonorous chanting of Vedic hymns and stopped by out of curiosity to understand what was happening. That was fortunately the temple of Bajinath Mahadev whose powerful vibes welcomed her into the temple. As she stepped inside the temple, the whole quadrangle reverberated with the loud chimes of bells and she realized that the priests were conducting a puja to Lord Mahadev.

Lady Martin sees hope at last...

Her distraught demeanour and grief stricken face, intrigued the Brahmins seated there, and they insisted on knowing what was bothering her.She explained in her own way, the problem that had beset her. Brahmins pacified her by telling her that Lord Mahadev listens to the prayers of his devotees and saves them miraculously from difficulties. Just a heartfelt prayer is enough for him to rush to his devotees help. Lady Martin felt her fears melting away at the very mention of this and found a fresh surge of energy and devotion gripping her. She was ecstatic as she had found her hope in Lord Mahadev's benevolence.

She started the Laghu Rudri Anushthan of the mantra Om Namah Shivaya and concluded it fervently praying to him to bring her husband back and restore her peace. She also promised the temple authorities that she would get the temple renovated if her wishes were granted by the Lord. She had chanted it for some number of days and on the last day of the Laghu Rudri the miracle had happened. As she concluded her Laghu Rudri, she heard a tap on her door, and saw that a messenger had come to hand over a letter to her from her husband. Col Martin had a different story to tell this time and his letter carried the happiest news ever for Lady Martin,

Martin's side of the story:

Col martin as he was battling on the front, had to stop sending the letter as one day pathans covered him from all sides and left him helpless and dazed. Everything was almost over for Col Martin now as there was no escape from this trap. When they were about to plunge on him, Martin suddenly spotted a Yogi from India, with matted locks, carrying a trident or Trishul in his hands. Martin was too dazed to even register the magnificent looks and demeanour of this yogi but looked on in disbelief. The next thing he saw was the yogi in lightening action, and he was all over the place maneuvering his weapon in magnificent style which terrorized the pathans to a such an extent that they dispersed from the place the next moment. There was no trace of pathans on the battlefield. Martin felt overwhelmed and strode up to him to thank him as he could not have survived without his timely help. Yogi told him not to worry as he was very touched by Lady Martins sincere prayers that made him appear on the field to save Col Martin.

Martin returns back to India...

It took weeks for Col Martin to return back to India. As soon as he stepped in, on the Indian lands, he visited the Baijnath Mahadev Temple along with his wife to offer his gratitude to Lord Shiva. To his astonishment the Lord Shiva idol at the temple had a shocking resemblance to the Yogi who had saved his life. Col Martin's joy knew no bounds. He dedicated his remaining years to the memory of Lord Shiva, and got the temple renovated. He also donated a lumpsum for its maintenance.

The Lone Proof that Remains At The Temple

Bajinath Temple is the only temple built by British in india and this lucky couple's name is etched on a slab inside the temple premises. This is the only existing proof that they left on this earth with a tale that reinforced our belief in the divine grace of Lord Mahadev.

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