Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami
From the book “Sri Vraja-maṇḍala-parikramā”:
A short distance to the east of Nanda-bāga is Āśīṣeśvara Mahādeva and Āśīṣeśvara-kuṇḍa. Parjanya Mahārāja used to bathe here and worship Āśīṣeśvara Mahādeva, who fulfils all desires. Āśīṣeśvara Mahādeva easily becomes pleased even by a little worship and bestows blessings (āśīṣa) by which all of one’s desires may be fulfilled. Some Vrajavāsīs also say that it was by the blessings of Āśīṣeśvara Mahādeva that Parjanya Mahārāja had five sons endowed with all good qualities and had such a highly qualified grandson as Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
Rajashekhara Dasa
From the book “Chaurasi-kosa Vraja Mandala Parikrama”:
Near to the garden (bagicha) of Nanda Maharaja is this temple containing a very beautiful Deity of Lord Shiva in his form as ‘Ashiseshwara’, which means ‘the Lord who gives innumerable blessings’. The temple is situated in a very beautiful place surrounded by a grove of trees and known as Ashiseshwaravana, where one can also see Ashiseshwara-kunda. The word ‘ashisa’ means ‘to bestow blessings’ and ‘eshwara’ or ‘ishwara’ means ‘protector’, ‘lord and master’ or ‘controller’. Another name of Shiva is ‘Ashutosha’, which means he is ‘very easily satisfied’ and it is well known that he always gives his blessing or ‘ashisa’ to anyone who sincerely prays before him.
One day Lord Shiva sat down at this place while lamenting that he was unable to see his worshipable Lord, Shri Krishna. Shiva had come many times to see Krishna at both Gokula and Nandagrama, but was always frustrated in his attempts. When Lord Shiva arrived at Nanda Bhavan to get a glimpse of Krishna, mother Yashoda turned him away because of his unusual wild looking appearance covered in ash with thick matted locks. As a last resort, Mahadeva sat down at this place and resolved not to move until he could obtain the darshana of his beloved Krishna. Meanwhile Krishna began to cry and no matter how much Yashoda tried to console Him, He continued to cry. Yashoda Mayi then thought to herself that perhaps she should not have turned the tantric-yogi away. Yashoda Mayi immediately sent the servants to find the tantric-yogi and bring him back. When Shiva arrived to have darshana, he touched his head to Krishna’s lotus feet and Krishna immediately stopped crying. Yashoda Mayi was very happy and told the yogi that he could come to Nanda Bhavana at any time to see her darling little boy. Yashoda Mayi also asked the yogi if there was any service she could do for him, but the yogi simply requested a little prashadam from Krishna’s plate which Yashoda Mayi was very happy to give him.
