Gajāsura

Gajāsura, the elephant asura, was the son of Mahiṣāsura. He is an important asura in Chapter 57 of the Yuddha Khaṇḍa of the Śiva Purāṇa. He did tapas (austerity) and received a vara (a boon) from Brahmā. By this vara, no being troubled by lust (kāma-pīḍita) could kill him.

Conquest and arrival in Kāśī

Gajāsura conquered the three worlds. He then came to Kāśī, where he troubled the brāhmaṇas and the devotees of Bhagavān Śiva.

His death

Bhagavān Śiva is entirely free of lust. He fought Gajāsura with his triśūla (trident) and gave him a deadly wound.

As he lay dying, Gajāsura asked for only one vara. He asked that Bhagavān Śiva wear his elephant skin for ever. Bhagavān Śiva granted it. He became Kṛttivāsa, “the wearer of hide”.

Gajāsura’s body became the Kṛttivāseśvara liṅga of Kāśī.

Sources

• Śiva Purāṇa, Rudra Saṃhitā, Yuddha Khaṇḍa, Chapter 57