Bhima – the demon, was the son of Kumbhakarna and Karkati. After Kumbhakarna was killed by
Sri Rama. Karkati and Bhima went to live at Sahya mountain.
When Bhima grew up he asked Karkati about his father. Karkati told him that his father had been killed by Rama. Bhima swore to avenge his father’s death. He did a tremendous penance to please lord Brahma. Brahma appeared before him and blessed him with insurmountable power and strength.
Bhima then drove out the deities from heaven. He went to Kamarupa and defeated the king. He captured the king and put him in prison. The helpless king used to pass his time by chanting the
mantra- Om Namah Shivay. His wife worshipped the Parthiva linga of Shiva for the release of the king.
All the deities went at the bank of river Mahakeshi and worshipped the Parthiva linga of lord
Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before them and assured them that the end of Bhima was near.
Lord Shiva went to the king who had been held captive by Bhima. His ganas too accompanied him. All of them waited for the opportune time to kill Bhima.
Meanwhile somebody informed Bhima that the king was doing worship of Shiva in the prison, with the objective of getting Bhima killed.
Bhima arrived at the spot in the prison where the king was worshipping the Parthiva linga of
Lord Shiva. He made fun of Shiva and struck the Shivalinga with his sword.
Right then, Lord Shiva appeared. A tremendous battle was fought between both of them. The battle continued for a long period. Sage Narada requested lord Shiva to kill Bhima as soon as it was possible.
Lord Shiva produced fire by his loud roar. In a very short time the fire spread in the whole forest. All the demons including Bhima were burnt to death. The deities and the sages arrived there. They requested Lord Shiva to remain there. Lord Shiva accepted their request and established himself in the form of Bhima Shankar Jyotirlinga.