Rajarajeswari Polali DT Nt pg 8

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ltelidevara

@ltelidevara

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Posted: 7 years ago

#181

Sri Yantra, the symbol of Tantrikism or Tranta is found here .It might be a misconception that Tantrik cults are over and done with, for the essence of it still continues to prevail rather openly in West Bengal and Assam.

While Kalighat and Tarapeeth might have been big centers for such practices the seat of ancient tantricism is at Kamakhya Devi temple, Kamarupa Assam. This is the most important of all the Shakti Peethas in India. Kamakhya devi shrine hosts the yoni of Sati that fell here following the destruction of Daksha's sacrifice. This Shakti Peetha symbolizes the union of Shiva with Shakti, as described in the Kali Purana.

They are depicted in constant union where Kamakhya is the Goddess of desire, who grants salvation. She is the young bride of Lord Shiva and together they symbolize the sublime reality of the miracle of life, the everlasting bliss of male/female union.

This temple is situated atop a hill that overlooks the Brahmaputra river. The inner sanctum is a deep dark underground rocky chamber into which one descends by a flight of steep steps. The "Matra Yoni" which is inscribed on a rock is covered with silk sarees and is constantly moist by underground spring water.

Tantrik cult is a different kind of cult where the orthodoxy of normal rituals and male dominance over the female took a massive beating. In tantricism, it's the opposite where the female is given a lot more importance and is associated with Shakti. This is reflected in all their strange ritual practices. There is a deep divide between conventional worship and tantrik worship.

In conventional worship, a woman is considered as "impure" during her 3 day monthly cycle, further to which she is almost treated as an untouchable in ancient brahmin traditions still prevailing today. In Tantrik worship, most of the rituals including initiation are centered on the 3 days, this period being the most important period where the woman is considered most pure and an incarnation of Shakti.

This is clear from various references made in Tantric texts. Most of the tantrik texts have been found around the regions of Kamarupa, suggesting very strong prevalence of this cult around the Kamakhya Devi temple.

The Yoni Tantra hails from Cooch Bihar but most of the Kaul Tantras originated from Kamarupa. The earliest comprehensive references made to the most important element of Tantrik ritual, called Yoni Tattva in the Kaula Tantra are given in the Kaula Jnana Nirnaya by Matsyendranath.

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ltelidevara

@ltelidevara

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Posted: 7 years ago

#182

Mahavidyas at Kamakhya

The temple was an important and long established tantric center described in the Hevajra Tantra, (800 AD). Adding to the sanctity of the great temple the Kalika Purana, a work from the 10th century, glorifies the temple as the ancient spot where Sati, the spouse of Shiva, would retire in secret to satisfy her physical love with Shiva. The Yogini Tantra, a latter work, associates Kamakhya with the goddess Kali and emphasizes the creative symbolism of the yoniThe ten great Mother Goddesses of Wisdom, collectively known as the Das Mahavidyas, are integral to Tantra and each holds an important place at the Kamakhya Yoni Temple. They are Shodashi, Matangi, Kamala, Dhumavati, Tara, Kali, Bhairavi, Baglamukhi, Chinnamasta, and Bhuvaneshwari. They are familiar to Shakti devotees and are sometimes displayed in relief at various temples in India's northeast region.

Kamakshi, who manifests the eternal soul essence of both Maha Kali and Sri Lalita (Tripurasundari), is the great Goddess of Desire. She emerges from the navel of Shiva, flanked by Brahma and Vishnu, both of whom pay her homage, for she is truly the Omnipotent Goddess.Kamakshi Devi, the resident diety of Kamakhya, is indeed Shodashi, the youthful goddess of sixteen summers, named so as she is perpetually sixteen years of age. Pronounced locally as Surashi, and also referred to as Tripura Sundari, she is beloved by all who approach her. The most sacred point in the planet for Kaula Marg Tantrics is the location of her Yoni, called the Yoni Mudra Peeth. Approaching the goddess, the power increases in intensity. One enters the temple, descending down a dark narrow staircase with many uneven and irregular steps. The subterranean vault is hot and humid and yet one feels completely safe and protected in the dim light. The underground cavern has a dome high above, and barely visible. Voices echo beautifully off the ancient stone chamber. Devi sits in a pool of holy spring water with a canopy over the top. A stone crack under the water is naturally formed in the shape of a yoni, from which water flows. Here, devotees make offerings of red kumkuma to Devi. The pundit guides the inexperienced through the process of paying homage and receiving darshan at the sacred Yoni of Kamakshi Devi. Then all in turn move to the right to where Lakshmi, Sri, and Saraswati reside. Saraswati, too, is in the form of a yoni and Lakshmi is partly represented by a three dimensional Sri Yantra. Once again, one kneels in humility, touching the water and offering kumkuma. The priest sometimes gives Shaktipat by firmly tapping the center of the back. It has the functional benefit of reminding people to keep moving, as the lines are long and the space in the sanctum is very limited. The priests are kind and supportive amid high energy.

Shodashi is Latika Devi, the creeper goddess, inferring that she is intertwined with her legs wrapped around and embracing Shiva's legs and body, as he lies in repose. Shodashi is the third of the Mahavidyas. She is ravishing in her beauty and soft in her aura, although her energy can occasionally be challenging. Anatomically she resides in the outside upper right quadrant of the yoni lips. As a digbanda force, she rules the northeastern direction from whence she gives grace and protection. Astrologically she is linked to Mercury. The Shodashi Tantra refers to Shodashi as the "Beauty of the Three Cities, or Tripura Sundari. As Shodashi, Tripura Sundari is represented as a sixteen-year-old girl, and embodies sixteen types of desire. Shodashi also refers to the sixteen syllable mantra, which consists of the fifteen syllable (pancha dasakshari) mantra plus a final seed syllable. Shodashi is said to have taken birth to save the celestial world. Kama, the incarnation of sexuality and physical love attempted to distract Shiva from his meditations. Shiva burned him to ashes with his third eye. Well meaning attendants to Shiva used the ashes, mud and other elements to form the shape of a man. Then using yogic powers, they breathed life into him in such a way that he was animated and very capable of sadhana. He began sadhana to gain power over others. Fully conscious of an emerging scheme, Shiva played along when he was asked for a boon by the man to have half of the power of his adversaries. Since one of his adversaries had been Shiva himself, he gained massive Shakti and began creating great harm and tribulations in all the three worlds. Facing great humiliation and defeat, the divine beings approached Tripura Sundari for help. Taking up all her weapons she charged into battle with the demon and vanquished him, thus saving the realm of the Gods.

On the way toward the outside of the temple, there are additional opportunities to pay homage in small alcoves dedicated to Matangi and Kamala.

Within the walls of the main temple of Kamakshi Devi also resides the form of Matangi, who is essentially the tantric Saraswati. Matangi is placed in the innermost sanctum (garbhagriha) of the main temple to the east of the Yoni Mudra Peeth, easily visible as one leaves the sanctum sanctorum. Outside, Tantrics can meditate upon her as she sits on a bejeweled throne. On her forehead she displays a white half-moon. In her four arms she holds a kharga, khetak, lasso and spear. Puja is done for her with offerings of rice custard sweetened with sugar.

She is the embodiment of kanta yuvati, youthful beauty enhanced by love. Matangi is the ninth of the great shaktis of wisdom. As a digbanda force, she offers grace and protection from the northwestern direction. She is associated with the upper left quadrant of the yoni. Matangi and Baglamukhi are the two Mahavidyas for whom tantric sadhana is done which leads to the attainment of siddhis, or miraculous powers. Matangi is a young sixteen-year-old woman with fully developed breasts. Matangi is a Goddess for those in relative poverty. Because of her affinity to the poor and downtrodden, she prefers to be offered left-over, even partially eaten, food. Matangi is considered as the Tantric form of Saraswati, the goddess of music and learning. Like Saraswati, Matangi governs speech, music, knowledge and the arts. The two goddesses are one. Her sadhana is prescribed to acquire supernatural powers, especially gaining control over enemies, attracting people to ones self, acquiring mastery over the arts and gaining supreme knowledge

Kamala Devi is considered the tantric form of Lakshmi at Kamakhya and she too, resides in the main temple. She is placed in the temple next to Matangi. She is meditated upon as she wears a crown of jewels, attired in crimson, and seated on a lotus. Like the popular Lakshmi form, she holds two lotuses, one in each hand. In her other two hands, she displays abhaya and vara mudras. Four white elephants surround and protect her as they perform a ritual bathing of her (abhisheka).

Kamala is sukla samsthita, that is, residing within the semen. Kamala is the tenth and last of the great shaktis of knowledge. As a digbhanda force, Kamala rules the southwestern direction. Kamala means "she of the lotus and is a common epithet of goddess Lakshmi, who is identified in tantric temples, such as at Kamakhya. She is associated with the lower left quadrant of the external portion of the yoni.

The Dhumavati Temple has recently had a new black marble floor and walls retaining the original moorthi in the back. The temple is very enticing looking but appropriate. Water runs through a channel in the sanctum sanctorum which was about three steps down from the main interior of the temple. There is a large annex to the left of the temple where, on occasion, groups of priests and special guests feast upon meat.

Dhumavati is Kundalini Shakti, the primordial energy of Self She is the seventh of the ten Mahavidyas. She is mostly seen as inauspicious but the great tantrics and yogis understand her much differently. Although she is a harbinger of illness, pain and death, this is a surface quality. Her sacred mantras (namavali) describes positive qualities as well. Most pointedly, she is the great teacher, is tender hearted and a grantor of boons. As the great teacher, she is the one who reveals ultimate knowledge of the universe, which is beyond the illusory divisions. She will absolutely grant success even in mundane endeavors and raise any sincere sadhak up through the mundane to the grand sublime spiritual goals that are consciously or unconsciously sought. She reveals the ultimate knowledge of the universe, oneness, beyond all differentiation. She offers grace and protection from evil or unconscious forces from the southeast. She is associated with the lower right quadrant of the external part of the yoni. Meditation on Dhumavati as chaotic but sacred energy results in high samadhi. The most powerful sadhana for Dhumavati is done completely naked in a cemetery during the descending moon cycle.

The Tara temple is located very near the Kamakhya temple, about 20 yards short of the main temple gate. It is inset about 30 yards from the path of steps. One finds a gate and arch on the right and steps leading up to the temple. It is usually very quiet, offering an excellent place for sadhana.

Tara Devi is poorna rakta yogini, the one who in union bestows complete passion. Following Maha Kali, Tara is the second of the great Shaktis of wisdom, the Mahavidyas. As a force of grace and protection[2], she rules the northern region. Astrologically she is linked to Jupiter, the Guru. Lord Shiva is said to have drunk the poison (alahala) that was created from the churning of the ocean in order to save the world. In the process it turned his throat blue. He fell unconscious under its powerful effect. Tara Ma appeared and took Shiva on her lap. She suckled him, the milk from her breasts counteracting the poison, and he recovered. This story demonstrates her great power. Her consort is Akshobhya, the Shiva form who calmed the agitation of the Gods and Goddesses when the deadly yellow poison first emerged by the churning of the ocean. She is seductive and draws those souls who are hers closer to her where she will expand their power from within. She cuts through the illusion once its purpose is served with her magical scissors as she places her leg upon the chest of her blessed chosen, to whom she reveals as none other than a form of Maha Shiva. She is associated with the upper hood of the yoni.

The celebrated tantric Sage Vashistha performed Tara sadhana here at Nilacala hill in Kamakhya for many years, yet Tara did not materialize. The frustration of Vashistha was reaching a zenith when the great goddess finally appeared before him. She instructed him to find Janardana-Visnu Buddha who had perfected her path. "Learn my secret from him for he is a master and from that, you will be successful she said. When Vashistha found the Buddha surrounded by beautiful women practicing the five great practices (panchamakaras). Learning the techniques directly from Lord Buddha, Vashistha returned to Kamakhya, and blossomed into a tantric master.

Edited by ltelidevara - 7 years ago

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ltelidevara

@ltelidevara

Sparkler

+ 8

Posted: 7 years ago

#183

Kali

The Kali temple often quiet and is right next to the stair path leading to the main temple complex. It is maintained and very clean. Next to the yagya peeth is a great place to meditate. It is said that Kali herself enlightened the yogis of her power at this place..as per the legend.

The great devi Mahakali spoke with power and authority, "I manifest with infinite forms and am one with all elements, permeating fire and water, earth and sky. I reside even within space itself and am yet outside space and time as well. I have siddhi over time. My body is nature and I am verily within natures laws and at once outside of natures laws. I am present in every joy and sorrow, resident in all light and darkness. I am the mother of the universe. I direct the spiritual family of tantrics (kula), the soul clusters that travel together from one life to the next. I am the reigning queen of all divine beings. I lead the Yoginis in their cosmic play. Like the commander of a divine army, I animate all beings in the performance of the dance of destruction .

I am verily the eight original mothers. I am the ten great mothers of wisdom. I command the 64 yoginis and I am always one with the hordes of background goddesses as well. I am the sole source of expansion. I offer every devotee my eternal blessings through the awakening of Kundalini Shakti with the trident held firmly in my lower right hand.

Indeed, no part of any universe exists without me. I nurture the devotee, I discipline the yogi and fill him with bliss. I give inexpressible joy to the tantric. My power is understood in the human sphere when the light of the moon recedes. As the lunar cycle darkens my true energy emerges. I am dark as the moonless night and as you approach closer I become ever more translucent until I am realized pure light. I appear to those in the relative plane to be purely dark. For those who are face to face I am nothing but pure light for I am the essence of every sacred tire and flame.Hence the oneness of Kali and Kamakhya are established here.

Bhairavi

There are two Temple beautiful buildings in front of the "Turtle pond. The Bhairavi temple is the building on the right as one looks at the temples from their front. The one on the left is a Durga temple

Bhairavi is Satya Sukrini, the Goddess of Supreme Purity. She is the sixth of the ten Mahavidyas Goddesses. As a digbhanda force, She rules the direction of the Nadir, the base, below, the root and provides protection and safety from that direction. At the last stage in the spiritual evolution of a sadhak, Bhairavi, the Divine Mother of Tantra turns into Vaishnavi Mata while awarding liberation to Her devotee, because only in the form of Vaishnavi does She award liberation. She is associated with the g-spot of the yoni.

Bagalamukhi

Proceeding to the Baglamukhi temple, one is struck by the mammoth new temple structure. It had been several years since I had visited Kamakhya complex and it was obvious that this temple has undergone recent massive developments. The building itself is a pilgrimage as one wanders from one amazing relief to another each more interesting than the one before it. All of the ten Mahavidyas are beautifully depicted in relief.To worldly folks, Baglamukhi is propitiated to prevent others from gossiping against them. She does indeed respond to those prayers but she is a far more complex consciousness that that. She is certainly strong against ego.

Baglamukhi is Guru Moorthi, the form of the guru. She is the eighth of the Mahavidyas. As a digbanda force, she rules the southern direction and offers grace and protection from all evils that emerge from the south. Baglamukhi and Matangi are the two Mahavidyas for whom their sadhana leads directly to Siddhis, or miraculous powers. Baglamukhi means "The Crane-Headed One. The crane implies the essence of deceit. She rules magic for the suppression of an enemy's gossip. She holds the tongue of a transgressor of gossip with her right hand while she drives a spike through the tongue with her left. Her third eye is always open. Her Shakta is Maha Rudra. Together, they dissolve the universe at the end of time. Worshiping them in union brings about oneness of consciousness. She is associated with the lower portion of the yoni.

Chinnamasta

Chinnamasta's temple is appropriately dark and mysterious. More than a dozen steps deep into the earth, each seeming to be more irregular and rough than the last, with no hand rail. It only adds to the mystery. The energy was powerful.

She is the Goddess known as Yoni Vega, with dripping yoni. Chinnamasta is the fifth of the ten great shaktis of knowledge. Her name means one who is beheaded, a condition which reflects her mastery of the thinking mind, for mystic peace lies beyond all thought. As a protection force, she rules the easterly direction. She is associated with the right portion of the exterior portion of the yoni.

She says.."I drink the stream of life blood flowing from my self decapitated body while my attendant shaktis, voluptuous and naked, absorb the energy of life blood from streams right and left. In my headless condition, I transcend the thinking mind. which flows like a fountain from the arteries of my very own neck. The jewel on my forehead is tied with the serpent of awakened kundalini. My full breasts are adorned with lotus blossoms. I sit erect above the god of love, who in union with his Shakti, is in bliss in my presence. By worshipping me with my beloved Shiva-Kabandha in union, one becomes lord of all siddhis."

Surely Devi Chinna masta's mystic aura is overpowering.

Bhuvaneswari

The Bhuvaneshwari temple sits atop Nilacala Hill and is the highest point of the Kamakhya temple complex, 700 feet below. The walk up the hill offers a magnificent view of the Brahmaputra river. The natural scenery is inspiring. The wide open space at the top of the hill in all directions reminds one of Bhuvaneshwari herself since the root word "Bhu means space. Lighting a clay ghee lamp and offer incense just outside the temple entrance prepares the mind and heart to enter into the sacred space.

Bhuvaneshwari is mantrini, the energy of all mantras. She is the fourth of the great shaktis of wisdom. Her universality and presence in all space establishes her as the supreme Goddess of the Universe. She provides grace and protection coming from the westerly direction. She can turn any situation according to her will. It is said that even the nine planets and the three forms: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are subject to her will.

To sum up Kamakhya with mahavidyas is definitely one of the most powerful Sakti Pithas that will offer siddhi to devotees.

The fact that Sati and Shiv spent memorable time in union here itself makes it special...

Edited by ltelidevara - 7 years ago

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ltelidevara

@ltelidevara

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Posted: 7 years ago

#184

Madhaveswari

Prayaga is the place where as per the legend Sati's fingers had fallen. It is famously called as Mata ji ka temple (or Lalita ) by the locals. Prayaga means Prakrishta Yaga, that means it is the place where Lord Brahma did a very great Yaga. Hence its name became Prayaga.Prayaga is considered as one of the Sapta mokshapuras. This place is also called as Theertharaj, that means king of all

Madhaveswari Devi Temple at Prayag location in Allahabad is also one of the most powerful 18-Shakti Peeths. According to Puranas, Devi's fingers fell at this place. Entire story of this Shakti Peeth is also available in above Puranas.

The popular belief is that the fingers of the hands of Goddess Sati fell at the spot where the Alopi Devi Temple stands. It must be noted that Goddess Alopi temple is also part of the Ashta Das Shaktipeetah concept more famous in South India and propagated through the Ashtadasa Shaktipeetaha Stotra of Adi Shankara.

Alopi means disappeared. The Goddess gets the name Alopi because of the belief that the last part of Goddess Sati's body fell here and disappeared. Hence this is the last spot from where Goddess Sati disappeared from earth and it is considered highly auspicious.
At the Alopi Temple, Goddess Alopi Devi is depicted as a Dholi placed atop a marble stone.
Alopi Devi Temple is located at Alopi Bagh west of Daraganj in Allahabad in Uttar Prades

Prayaga means Prakrishta Yaga, that means it is the place where Lord Brahma did a very great Yaga. Hence its name became Prayaga.
Prayaga is considered as one of the Sapta mokshapuras. This place is also called as Theertharaj, that means king of all theerthas.

Another important point is, this is the place of Triveni Sangamam. Generally we consider the confluence of two water flows as a holy place. But, here we can see the confluence of three holy rivers, Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati. All the three rivers have their importance individually. Hence the confluence became very very holy place. One should take a holy bath here when visited this place. Here Kumbhmela will be conducted for every 12 years.

There are mainly three stories about the word Alopi. They are,Alopi means the one who disappeared. After Sati dahana and Dhaksha Yagna destruction, Lord Siva disturbed mentally and lifted Satidevi's body and roaming without any destination. Lord Vishnu cut Sati devi body parts by using Sudarshana Chakra. Every place, where Satidevi's body part fell, became a Shaktipeeth. Prayaga is the last place, where last part of Sati devi's body fell on ground. Here Sati devi body became disappeared, hence the name Alopi.

There are some other stories about Alopi mata. In every temple, at least one idol or one symbol will be there for worshipping the goddess. But here, there is no idol or symbol. We have to imagine the goddess present on a wooden jhula. Hence the name Alopi.

According to a local story, Alopi mata is a newly married bride. She disappeared from pallaki, when robbers attcked the marriage troop. As the bride disappeared as a miracle, she is worshipped as Alopi mata.

This temple is peculiar in a way that there is no statue of any Deity in this temple rather there is a wooden carriage or 'doli' which is worshipped. The origin of the name, Alopi (disappeared) Bagh lies in the Hindu belief that when after the death of his wife Sati, the grieving Lord Shiva travelled through skies with her dead body. Lord Vishnu, to relieve him from this agony, threw his Chakra at the corpse, resulting in the fall of various parts of the body at various places in India, which were sanctified by the touch of the Goddess' body parts and hence were thereby deemed holy places for pilgrimage. The last part fell at this location thereby named as "Alopi" (where disappearance was concluded)and the holiest of all.

The other more convincing version dates back to the time when the entire region was covered by dense forests infested with dreaded dacoits. Once upon a time in that forest happened to pass a marriage procession. Marriage processions, in those days used to be the most vulnerable targets of robbers as they used to return loaded with gold and other riches. While deep into the jungle this marriage party found itself surrounded by robbers, robbers after killing all the men and looting the wealth turned to the 'doli' or carriage of the bride.

To their dismay when they unveiled the carriage they found there was no one inside. The bride had magically disappeared. The word went around, history became legend and legend became myth. A temple came up at the site where this incident had happened and locals started worshiping the bride as "Alopi Devi" or the 'virgin goddess who had disappeared'. However, this story provides no convincing explanation as to why the place would be deemed so holy.

Alopi Devi continues to be worshiped by thousands of people living in the region who share every festival, marriage, birth and death with their guarding deity.

Edited by ltelidevara - 7 years ago

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ltelidevara

@ltelidevara

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Posted: 7 years ago

#185

IVaishno Devi

Sati's blessing hand fell here. There are many stories connected to the emergence of Vaishnodevi Mata who lives in a narrow cave on Trikuta hills.

One such prominent story enlightens us the power of maata..it is an enchanting story that elaborates mata's Vaishno Tatv.

Two kilometers away from present Katra town, is a village named Hansali. This picturesque-place surrounded on all sides by trees and brooks, presents an thrilling view of nature. In the midst of this atmosphere a sound was reverberating in the mountains of Trikuta...

"I don't know hymns; I don't know how to adore thee; I don't know formal worship; I don't know even your shape; Neither I know the method of meditation nor the postures of meditation story all my sins and help to attain, whatever I deserve."

"Victory to you,, Oh mother Bhavani," said Pandit Shri-Dhar. His throat choked, tears rolled down the cheeks, sweat drops appeared over his forehead; lips quivered. Shri-Dhar asked mother, "You are the greatest of great. You are knower of known and unknown. Why don't you accept' my prayers? What are the short-comings in my worship? Oh, goddess! Be benign unto me. Pardon my sins or else tell me in person that why children can't adore my home? How can my line of progenitors continue without my descendants?" Pandit Shri-Dhar was talking as if to him with emotion and devotion. His whole body was shivering & suddenly a murmuring sound came beneath the fallen dry leaves.

"Chhan, Chhan, Chhan...".

Sound of Panzeb (Anklet) filled the air. Pandit ji looked in the direction of leaves and the rays of blazing sun fell on his face. The whole atmosphere looked blissful. Shri-Dhar was aghast. He saw here. & there, but couldn't find anyone. He took it as his own hallucination and offered the flowers of worship and left for his village. He had to conduct girl worship ceremony.

The girl worship ceremony started. Six small girls were sitting in line with folded legs. Suddenly Panditji's eyes fell on a ravishing face, full of beauty and splendor. Panditji was amazed and bewitched. It seemed as if hundreds of suns were blazing on her face. It was so innocent, as if thousands of lotuses had blossomed. This girl had never been spotted in the village earlier. Her clothes were red in color and she was wearing an anklet.

The girl put her feet in the front of Pandit ShriDhar. He started to wash her feet. Then he worshipped all the seven girls and served flowers. Later he served food and gave 'Dakshina' (offering in cash) to them. All the girls, except the divine looking girl, left. Panditji was about to ask her some questions, when the divine goddess, in the form of girl, said to him, "I have come to you for an important job." On hearing this from small girl the devotee was overwhelmed.

The girl said, "You convey to people in the village and around, that you are holding a feast in the name of god." Before Panditji could ask her anything, the girl disappeared. Shri-Dhar was perplexed. Who was that girl? She should have been a divine girl. Then Shri-Dhar became anxious about holding of 'Bhandara', the feast in the worship of god. He thought that he could invite everyone but who would arrange the eatables and other material required for it? He thought he could not conduct the feast (Bhandara). He thought that the mysterious girl may have been divine & wanted to examine his devotion. He resolved to invite people from the village and near-by places & left his home to invite all the people including 'Bhairav Nath'.

Bhairav Nath enquired of Panditji, if he could fulfill the requirements of so big a congregation. He warned him of bad consequences in case of failure. He reminded him that once; Lord Indra was cursed by their guru for not being able to satisfy the appetite of guru and his disciples. He said to Panditji, "Our guru ji can burn the whole village by his curse in anger. So you think before deciding to invite us. You are committing a great blunder by calling us on feast." Panditji folded hands and said, "Sir, you are a great sage, saint and seer. By good luck, I have been able to see you. I have already invited the people from far & nearby places. I have requested you to visit my home deeming it to be my duty. Although I know that I can't perform such a big holy feast (Bhandara) yet I have to perform it.

"Why? enquired yogi; "Holy sage, that girl has ordered me to perform it," said Shri-Dhar. "Which girl"? Again the yogi enquired "Fantastic! a small girl will arrange holy feast for such a huge group of holy saints". The saint turned towards his guru & said, "Sir, listen the words of Panditji. He says that a small girl wants to feed all of us and also the whole village." Guru Gorakh Nath replied," What harm is there to take the test? We should go and see ourselves, who this girl is?" The guru raised his hands and said to Shri-Dhar." We accept your invitation. We will arrive tomorrow in time.

Shri-Dhar got dead-tired by visiting the houses of people in villages and fell asleep at night. In the morning, he got worried about the arrangements for 'Bhandara'. People started to pour in.

It was noon. Sun was blazing high in the sky. Shri-Dhar was sitting out side his hut on a raised earthen platform. He was lost in worry as nothing had been arranged. Meanwhile the sound of saint's arrival could be heard from a distance. Holy saint, Gorakh Nath, was proceeding towards the hut, accompanied by huge group of devotees.

The whole village hummed with activity and people thronged towards the hut. Some said that Panditji has got himself entrapped. Others thought that whole village will be put to disrepute, because of Panditji's folly. Even ladies began to murmur.

Suddenly, the sky was overcast with clouds and for a moment it was almost dark and later bright sun appeared again and darkness disappeared. Surprisingly a divine girl, wearing red apparel and a trident in hand, appeared in front of Shri-Dhar. Nobody could know, from where, the girl appeared.

The divine girl said, "Panditji, leave your worries. Everything will be arranged. You get up and ask the holy men to get into your hut and eat food." Shri-Dhar got up and requested the saints to grace his hut.

Guru Gorakh Nath said, "How can I sit in your hut with my three hundred and sixty disciples? For us, open space, outside the hut, will be suitable. Your hut is too small. Panditji, please arrange to serve the foods, outside the hut." Shri-Dhar replied, "Sir, the girl has invited you inside the hut." Guru ji proceeded to hut and his disciples followed him one by one. All the people got accommodated inside the hut and there was still some room left. People of the village sat outside. Bhandara started. The divine girl started to distribute food from mystic pot (Kamandal). Panditji became happy while others were surprised. Everyone got food of choice. Numberless foods of varied tastes were distributed and people ate to their heart full.

On seeing this, Gorakh Nath and Bhairav-Nath admitted in their conversation that the girl had some supernatural powers. They decided to probe about her antecedents. The girl reached near Bhairav Nath, serving food. He said to the girl, "You have served food to everybody as per their choice. Now serve me also food of my choice." The girl replied, "Your holiness, what do you want?" Mother knew everything. She wanted to play a sport with her child in the same way, as a mother .plays with a baby or as a baby plays with his toys. So in spite of knowing everything about Bhairav she wanted him to spell it out.

Bhairav said, "Bring for me meat and drinks (wine)." The girl replied, "Sir, please do not forget that you are sitting in a Brahmins hut and this auspicious feast is vegetarian. So please ask only those foods which are vegetarian." Bhairav stood by his choice. He wanted to test the powers of this amazing girl. Discussions started over this issue and Bhairav lost temper. He tried to catch hold of the hand of girl. The girl (goddess) disappeared. Bhairav, also, was not an ordinary human-being. He went into samadhi (Intense meditation) and saw by his spiritual powers that the girl is moving towards Trikuta Mountains. His quest increased. He wanted to know the whereabouts of the girl, her source of power and the mystery surrounding her. He became restive and as such sought permission from his Guru, to follow the girl and to know her abode. He told him that he wanted to know the secret of her powers and their source. Guru Gorakh Nath allowed Bhairav to pursue the girl and wished him good luck.

Bhairav left for Trikuta hills. He saw, in meditation, the path taken by the girl and followed her.

Meanwhile Pandit Shri-Dhar became restless just like a fish out of water. The divine girl had left the hut since last two days. He was continuously gazing towards the unknown. He stopped eating, drinking and talking. It seemed as if the jug of water had been snatched from the hands of a thirsty man. The day passed in this way and night set in. He fell asleep.

While sleeping Panditji felt, as if, someone is pressing his hand on his head. The soft touch of hand gave him relief and he opened his eyes. To his astonishment, he found Durga goddess riding a lion, adorned with ornaments, trident in her hand and many other-weapons gracing her dazzling and sparkling personality. Panditji reverently bowed down his head and sang hymns in the worship of mother. Mother enquired of Panditji, "Why did you stop eating and drinking? How can you worship with an empty belly? Come, I will show you my abode." Shri-Dhar followed mother with folded hands. It seemed, as if everything was moving mechanically. He started riding up the hill. Then they reached near a cave. They entered the cave. The mother showed him her abode in the cave. The devotee was jubilant on witnessing it. Tears rolled down his cheeks in reverence. He bowed down his head and worshipped the goddess mother. Then they came out of the cave. The moment he ejected-out of cave the bright light fell on his eyes and Shri-Dhar awoke from his sleep. It was dawn. The Sun had come out scattering red rays in streaks in the sky. Shri-Dhar got up from the bed.

Panditji was very happy. The scenes witnessed during dream were still fresh in his mind. The picture of mother astride a lion in full glory, was causing a commotion to him. He remembered every bit of path, place, the goddess in 'Pindi' shape, the beautiful cave, the mountains falling on the way etc.

Nine months passed by. Bhairav Nath was loitering on the mountains in search of mystic girl. He sat in meditation several times and tried to know the whereabouts of the girl through mystic pursuits but he failed. Although he knew that the divine girl is hidden somewhere on the same mountain yet he could not locate her. The path, she followed, was not clear. Earlier, he had seen a 'Langur Veer' (monkey) with a red flag in hand with the girl. Then he saw the girl hitting a stone with an arrow and water gushed out of that stone. Bhairav reached near that place and again sat in meditation. He saw the girl standing at the mountain top. Bhairav went to that place and found the foot-print (marks) on the stone. Then he could not locate the girl for nine months. His innate desire for the search of girl, increased to the extent of madness.

One day his eyes fell on a hermit. Bhairav enquired of hermit, "Sir, have you seen any girl here?" The hermit replied, "Perhaps you are not aware, that goddess Maha Devi lives here. Who else can stay here?" Bhairav asked, "Where can the girl, whom I am searching, hide for nine months? Is it not possible that she is hidden in the cave?" Saying so, he started to enter a narrow cave beneath the hermit.

The hermit stopped Bhairav. He stood in front of the cave mouth and said, "Oh fool! The girl, whom you think as ordinary human being, is all powerful goddess 'Adi Kumari' * . It is good for you to return back."

It is said that when evil times are to be-fall on a man, his intellect fails. Bhairav Nath also acted in the same manner. The more he was forbidden by the saint, the more he became stubborn about entering the cave. He thought how a girl could remain hidden in cave for nine months. A cave cannot -become a womb (Garb-Yoni). He vowed to enter the cave. Mother goddess was witnessing the mental agony and turbulence of Bhairav. In fact, it was her own sport (Lila). She could annihilate Bhairav in a spur of moment, but she wanted to continue the play a bit more.

On seeing Bhairav entering the cave, she tore open a path behind the cave by her trident and came out. The goddess went ahead, while Bhairav followed her. At last the goddess reached near the beautiful cave on Trikut Mountains. Goddess asked Bhairav to return back and stop following her, but Bhairav refused. So the goddess kept 'Veer-Langur' (monkey) as a guard on cave-mouth and entered in the cave. Bhairav also started to enter the cave. However Langur-Veer stopped him. He said to Bhairav, "Mahamaya has forbidden me from allowing anyone to enter into the cave. So please take leave." Bhairav got agitated and asked Langur, "Who are you to stop me? I am Bhairav-Bali. I can go to any place." On saying this Bhairav snatched 'Gada' (club) from Langur and started hitting him. The two fought battle royal for a long time, till Langur fell down. Bhairav threw him away and entered the cave. Goddess saw him entering and took the shape of fierce 'Chandi' goddess and killed Bhairav by her sword.

Probably the play of goddess had come to an end. When a child plays with a toy and it doesn't move according to his choice, he may break it. He is the master of toy. In similar way, Maha Devi broke the toy (a creation of her own Maya). The sword of goddess tore through the body of Bhairav so ferociously, that the head of Bhairav fell on the mountain peak. This place, in these days, is called as Bhairav- ghati.

Bhairav Nath was not an ordinary human being.

He was a spiritual saint. His head separated from the body, but the consciousness still remained. He felt sorry for his conduct. He repented and implored to goddess, "Oh! the mother of' creator, foundation of universe, I am not sad for having lost my life, as my end has come at the hands of mother of creation. I will get 'Moksha' (Liberation). But mother, please pardon me. I was ignorant of your girl-form. Great mother, if you won't pardon me, then the whole world will consider me as a great sinner and abhor me.

On listening the prayers of Bhairav, the mother took pity on him. She gave him a boon and said, "After my worship, people will be worshipping you also. Your soul will be liberated. The devotees will visit your shrine after pilgrimage to my abode. The devotees, who pay obeisance to you, will also get their desires fulfilled. As per this boon, the pilgrims of holy Mata Vaishno Devi shrine later visit the temple of Bhairav Baba. The place, where the Bhairav's head fell, houses a temple in the name of Bhairav.

Meanwhile, Shri-Dhar had become impatient after having holy 'darshan' of goddess mother in holy cave in a dream. He started to march towards Trikuta Mountains on the same path as he had witnessed in dream. Sometimes he used to forget the path but immediately a picture of the path would come in his eyes. In this way, he went on searching the cave and ultimately reached the cave mouth. He became joyous and entered the cave. There he saw mother goddess in 'Pindi- Rupa'. Shri-Dhar prayed holy mother with hymns and oblations. He worshipped mother with deep reverence. He made a daily routine of worshipping 'Pindis' and serves the mother in several ways. The unswerving faith and devotion of Shri-Dhar pleased the mother goddess and she appeared in front of her devotee and gave him a boon of four sons. The mother blessed Shri-Dhar and said, "Your future progeny will worship me for long times to come and they will be blessed with happiness, wealth, health and velour." Since that day, Shri-Dhar and his descendants have been worshipping the mother. After this event Shri-Dhar spread the message far and wide and the cave became popular amongst masses. People come in millions to visit the holy cave and get their desires fulfilled.

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ltelidevara

@ltelidevara

Sparkler

+ 8

Posted: 7 years ago

#186

Another legend

Whenever righteousness and virtue has been under pressure of demoniac forces, the cosmic mother has overpowered such forces by taking different 'Rupas' (Different supernatural forms or shapes) and saved her devotees. In the beginning of the universe, Maha-Shakti was created out of all supernatural forces (Tejas) of gods united into one. The same later took birth as Maha-kali, MahaLaxmi and Maha-Saraswati. All the three 'Rupas' represent the human characteristics Viz Raj, Tam and Satva-gun.

In Treta-yug when Ravana, Kumbh-Karan, KharDooshan, Tataka and other demons tormented the virtuous men, the goddess decided to create a divine form for their protection. This gave birth to a beautiful divine girl. The divine girl enquired of Devas, the cause and reason of her birth. The divine forces told her that she had been created to protect Dharma and rekindle spirit of religion. She was asked to go to South India and take birth at the home of Ratnakar Sagar as a girl-child. Girl was named Trikuta. Later the same girl was called Vaishno because of her taking birth from Lord Vishnu's lineage. The religion propogated by this goddess girl was called Vaishno-Dharm.

Within a short duration the goddess attracted the attention of gods, saints and holy persons. The fame of her divine power and miracle spread far and wide. People started visiting the abode of divine girl to get benediction. After some time Trikuta sought permission from her father for doing penance on sea shore. She prayed to Lord Vishnu in the form of Rama and waited for Shri Ram Chandra while meditating.

When Lord Ram Chandra reached the sea-shore along with his army in search of Sita, his eyes fell on this divine girl in deep meditation. Ram enquired of Trikuta her name and reason for penance. Devi replied that she had accepted Ram Chandra as her husband by mind and heart.

On hearing this Ram Chandra told her that he had vowed to be faithful to one wife his Sita However, Ram wished that penance of Trikuta should not go waste and unfruitful. Therefore he said to her, "I will definitely come to see you in a disguised form. If you can recognize me at that time then I will accept you."

It is said that on his return from Lanka, Lord Rama went to see the girl in the form of an old monk (Sadhu). Trikuta could not recognize god. However Lord assured the girl that in 'Kaliyuga' he will manifest himself as 'Kalki' god incarnate and will marry her. He asked Trikuta to meditate on god in the cave found in Trikuta range of Manik mountains, situated in north India. He said that Trikuta will become immortal for ever. The whole world will sing her praise and pray. Later Trikuta will become famous as 'Vaishno Devi'. Monkeys will be her body guards.

It is believed, that daughter of 'Ratnakar Sagar' Vaishno goddess, who was born by the benediction of gods and goddesses, is adorning the holy cave since 'Treta Yug'. The early stories of Purans bear testimony to it. With the passage of time, many more stories about the mother goddess emerged.

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ltelidevara

@ltelidevara

Sparkler

+ 8

Posted: 7 years ago

#187

Gaya Mangalya gourika :

The Mangalagauri temple in Gaya (Bihar) has been mentioned in Padma Purana, Vayu Purana and Agni Purana and in other scriptures and tantric works. The present temple dates back to 1459 AD. The shrine is dedicated to Shakti or the mother Goddess in the predominantly Vaishnavite pilgrimage center of Gaya. Mangalagauri is worshiped as the Goddess of benevolence. This temple constitutes an Upa-Shakti Pitha - where it is believed that a part of the body of Shakti fell - according to mythology. Here Shakti is worshiped in the form of a breast symbol, a symbol of nourishment.The temple is facing east, and is built on top of the Mangalagauri hill. A flight of steps and a motorable road lead to the temple. The sanctum houses the symbol of the Goddess and it also has some finely carved ancient relief sculptures. A small hall or mandap stands in front of the temple. The courtyard also houses a fire pit for the home.

There are also two minor shrines dedicated to Shiva and images of Mahishasura MardiniGaya is one of the most famous spiritual destinations in India. Gaya is located in Bihar and stands on the bank of Falgu River. Gaya in India is held holy and pious by both Hindu and Buddhists. The narrow by lanes with age old buildings, beautiful natural surroundings with rocky hills on the three sides and river flowing by the city on the western side makes the city look beautiful and elates the spiritual atmosphere of the place.

The city derived its name from the demon, Gayasur who is said to have resided in this area. It is said that Lord Vishnu killed the demon by crushing him under his feet. On his being crushed, the demon got transformed into numerous rocky hills that form the topography of the city today. Then the deities decided to sit over the dead demon and that is the reason why one can find numerous temples over these surrounding rocky hills. It is said that any one who touched him or looked at him were fred of all sins. Mangla Gauri, Rama Shila, Brahmayoni and Shringa Sthan are the places where one can find temples on the hill tops and which comprise of the pilgrimage circuit of the city.

The Mangla Gauri shrine in Gaya, one of the most holy sites has two rounded stones which symbolizes the breasts of the Goddess Sati, who is the first wife of Lord Shiva.
Vishnupad Temple is marked by a footprint of Vishnu. This footprint is the significance of the act of Lord Vishnu crushing Gayasur under his foot. The temple that stands today was rebuilt by Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar in the 18th century. As per the Buddhist tradition and culture, this footstep mark is regarded that of Lord Buddha who is said to be the avatar of Vishnu.

The temples and the Ghats that are present by the River Falgu are also of great spiritual significance. Some trees are also held sacred by the Hindus and in Gaya one would find Pipal trees, Akshayavat and the undying Banyan which are also offered prayers and offerings in huge numbers by the pilgrims coming into the city.
Gaya is held as an important spiritual center by Hindus as a site which offers salvation to the souls. Buddhists hold Gaya as an important pilgrimage center because of the presence of the Brahmayoni or the Gayasia hill where Buddha preached the Fire Sermon or the Adittapariyaya Sutta.

Body part : Devi's breast part has fallen here.

Edited by ltelidevara - 7 years ago

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ltelidevara

@ltelidevara

Sparkler

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Posted: 7 years ago

#188

Visalakshi Sakti pith

The temple of Visalakshi or Divine mother Sati is just behind kashi Vishwanath temple and it is said to be one of the 51 shaktipeeths. It is said that when Lord Vishnu was cutting the body pieces of Sati by Sudarshana Chakra the earing fell here ( Manikarni ) hence some pundit says that its a Upapeetha or a sub centre. Some say that third eye aksha fell here hence she is called Vishalakshi Vast eyed ".

Visalakshi is the second consort of Shiva in this holy city of Kashi. This temple is one among the 52 Shakti peethams, and is part of the famous triad of temples- Kanchi Kamakshi, Madurai Meenakshi and Kashi Visalakshi. This small temple is situated in one of the narrow lanes around the Vishwanath temple, and it is mainly south Indians who seek out this temple.

Though the temple is quite small, the idol of the goddess is very beautiful. Behind the main stone idol of the goddess is another idol (some say it is a silver casting, others say it is an idol), believed to be the idol prayed to in ancient times. One of our guides told us that it was the swayambhu idol of the goddess, while another refuted this claim. Whatever it is, it is certainly worth a look, so remember to look behind the idol when you visit the temple.

Adi Shankaracharya, when he visited the temple, performed prayers to renew the powers of the temple and the goddess which had borne the brunt of several invasions. He also installed a Sri Yantram there, and it is to this Yantram that puja is done. Kumkumarchana to this Sri Yantram is considered very special, and can be performed by asking the pujari there.

Sthala purana:-

The word Visalakshi means the one who has big eyes.
She is described as the one who rules the world.

Tantras tell that she will be in the form of Mahakali. She will break the Karma bandhas after the eath. Lord Vishwanath, in the form of Mahakala will give Moksha.

Kashi Vishwanath Jyotirlinga:-

Nirvikar cahitanya and Sanatan Brahma have assumed the form of Saguna Vishwarupa from the initial Nirgun Roopa or form. The Shiva Shakti roopa became the Purusha (man) and Stree (the woman) again. Prakriti and Purusha (Nature and man) (Shiva-Shakti) were once ordained by Shiva to do tapas in the universe in order to create the best being. He specified the best place for this purpose. When a prayer was held, Nirgun Shiva, with His own powers and aura, created a wonderful city called Panchakoshi. Vishnu, who resided there, spent a lot of time praying to Shiva after which several watersprings originated there. Vishnu was amazed at this wonderous event, and even as he tilled his head, a gemstone fell from his ear. Because of this place, it was also called Manikarnika. The entire Panch Koshi area of Manikarnika waters were then gathered into the Trident by Shiva. Then from the navel of Vishnu was born a lotus flower with Brahma in it. Brahma was ordained by Shiva to create a world, at which Brahma created this wonderful world. It had fifty crore Yojanas of area and fourteen lokas. In order to save the lives of these who are bound by their own actions or karma. Shiva kept panchakoshi city away from the entire universe. In this city, Shiva Himself established the saviour Muktidayak JyotirLinga, which He can never leave. Shiva removed this very Kashi from His Trident and set it in this mortal world. It was not to be destroyed when Brahma's day ends, but during Pralay i.e., final destruction of the world, Shiva saved it by keeping it safe in his trident. So the kashi is called avimukta kshetra. In Kashi, the Avimukteshwar Linga is there forever. Those who can never hope for salvation, attain Moksha here.
This holiest city of Panchakoshi, with its capacity to destroy every conceivable sin, is the vehicle of a special Moksha by the name "Samyugha. That is the reason why this city which is ruled by Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesha, is the place, where even divines want to die. Sarwaguna from inside and Tamoguna from outside, are the qualities of Rudra here. When prayed to, Vishwanatha Bahagavan Sri Shankar made this abode and resided there with Parvati.

Annapoorna Temple:-

A temple for Annapoorna has been constructed near Watrap, on the way to Saduragiri. The temple is in the shape of eight-sided pyramid.
Adi Sankara who had immortalized the power and glory of Annapoorneswari in his immortal hymns Annapoornastakam - eight verses rendered there, implores on our behalf the grant of Gnana Vairagyam -- the steadfastness born out of realization. The beautiful golden image of Annapoorneswari in the temple, which is hundred yards away from the Visweswara Temple is thrown open for darshan to the devotees during Deepavali festival on Dhanathriodasi Day when Pooja is performed for the golden idol and throughout next day on Chotti Deepavali Day it is kept open for public darshan. and it is indeed a great sight! Annapurna sits in the middle with her trademark bowl and ladle. On her left is Lakshmi (Sridevi- the goddess of wealth) and on her right is Bhudevi (the goddess of the earth). All these idols are of pure Gold, and are beautiful to look at. In front of them stands Shiva, made of silver, asking for alms.

Kaalbhairav Temple Kashi:-

In Kashi Vishwanath legend, when Lord Shiva gets angry on Lord Brahma , he creates a dangerous form called Kaalbhairava . Bhairava beheaded one of Brahma's five heads and since then Brahma has only four heads. When depicted as Kala Bhairava, Bhairava is shown carrying the decapitated head of Brahma. Cutting off Brahma's fifth head made him guilty of the crime of killing, and as a result, he was forced to carry around the head for years and roam as Bhikshatana, a mendicant, until he had been absolved of the sin.His head was released when he reached the city of Kashi . From there on he lived in the city of Kashi and started guarding it. Hence he is called The Kotwal of Kashi. No one can enter Kashi without the permission of Bhairava.

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ltelidevara

@ltelidevara

Sparkler

+ 8

Posted: 7 years ago

#189

Saraswati Kasmiram

Sati's right hand fell here.

Adi Sankara's Visit to Sarda temple and Kashmir

Most of the Scholars believe that Adi Shankaracharya (A.D-788-820) visited Kashmir in the first quarter of ninth century A.D.

Namaste Sarada devi Kashmira pura vasini

Twamaham prarthaye Nityam Vidya Dana Kari mama.

Adi Shankaracharya, is believed to have visited Kashmir in the first quarter of 9th Century (788-820 A.D) .According to writer of Sankara Digvijaya' Sankara visited Kashmir after giving a final blow to Buddhism in the rest of India.

PN Magzine, a research scholar of repute, writes in Shankaracharya Temple and Hill' that Shankaracharya visited Kashmir with the intention of advancing Vedantic knowledge. That time Kashmiris were culturally and spiritually much advanced and believed strongly in the greatness of both Shiva and Shakti. Shankara did not, at that time, when he visited Kashmir, believe in Shakti cult .

PN Magzine mentions that Shankaracharya with his party camped outside the city of Srinagar, without any boarding and lodging arrangements. Seeing the plight of visitors a virgin was sent to meet Shankara. She found the party uneasy and frustrated because of not being able to cook as no fire was made available to them. The first glimpse of Shakti was exhibited to Shankara by this girl, when Shankara expressed his inability to make a fire.

The girl's questioned - you are so great, can not you make fire. The girl picked up two thin wooden sticks (samidhas) into her hand, recited some mantras and rubbed the sticks and fire was produced to the surprise of Shankara. PN Magzine further adds that later a Shastrarth (religious discourse or argument ) was arranged between Shankara and a Kashmiri woman. This discourse continued for 17 days. Shankaracharya yielded before the lady in discussion and accepted the predominance of Shakti cult (greatness of Devi).

Ya devi sarva bhuteshu sakti rupena sansthita

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo namah.

According to PN Magzine, after accepting predominance of Shakti cult, Shankara wrote Saundarya Lahari, in praise of Shakti, at the top of the hill, known till then as Gopadari Hill.

PN Magzine says that Saundarya Lahari is acclaimed as master-piece in Sanskrit literature. After the visit of Adi Shankaracharya to Kashmir, he became staunch believer of Shakti-Shri Chakra the symbol of Devi (Goddess) as mentioned in Shankara Digvijay' Life history of Shankaracharya.

Thus we know that even, a very great philosopher, a Saint of greater order- Adi Shankaracharya gained further depth in spiritualism and mysticism in Kashmir.

Kashmiri Pandit great Mehman Nawaz' highly appreciative of knowledge (which has at time proved undoing for them), awarded a degree of the Sharda Peetha, the highest honour conferred on any dignitary of knowledge when Shankaracharya visited Sharda, a famous temple, Shrine of Goddess Saraswati and a famous university of learning.

It is believed that Adi shankaracharya entered the Sarda temple from its Sothern gate and had a debate with the Scholars of that Area/Temple. He emerged as a winner and was conferred to sit on Sarvanjnanapeetham or Sarvajna peetha(Throne of Wisdom).

In his Honour, the southern gate of Sarada temple was closed for ever. The rad image at Shringeri Shardamba temple was once said to have been made of sandalwood, which is supposed to have been taken by the Shankaracharya from Sarda temple Kashmir.

Adi-Shankaracharya according to Sringeri Sharda peetham

Jagadguru Sri Adi Shankara Bhagavatpada established the first of the four Amnaya Peethams at Sringeri more than twelve centuries ago to foster the sacred tradition of Sanatana Dharma.

Hallowed for all times by Sage Rishyashringa who stayed and performed Tapas there, Sringeri attracted the great Acharya with a remarkable sight.

Tradition has it that after the Acharya had dispersed all the non-Vedic creeds prevailing in the country, He was on the look-out for a convenient and holy place where he could establish an institution to spread the truths of Advaita Vedanta. When the Acharya came to Sringeri, he saw an unusual sight on the banks of the Tunga. A cobra was seen spreading out its hood over a frog in labour pains, to give it shadow from the scorching mid-day sun. Struck with the sanctity of the place, which could infuse love between natural adversaries, Sankaracharya chose this very location to establish His first Math.

The Madhaviya Sankara Digvijayam describes that the Acharya came across many virtuous people at Sringeri and taught them the doctrine of Advaita. He then invoked the Divinity of Knowledge, Goddess Sarada and consecrated an icon of the Goddess. Thus the Peetham He founded at Sringeri in South India for fostering the Vedas and the sacred tradition of Sanatana Dharma came to be known as the Dakshinamnaya Sri Sharada Peetham.

The Acharya appointed his prime disciple, Sri Sureswaracharya as the first Acharya of the Peetham. Since then, the Peetham has been blessed with an unbroken Guru Parampara, a garland of spiritual masters and Jivanmuktas representing Sri Adi Shankaracharya. The succeeding Acharyas have led a life of such austere penance that it has led disciples to adore in them the radiance of Sri Adi Shankara Himself.

Sandalwood Idol of Sarda Mata at Sringeri

The ancient temple of Sri Sharada, the presiding deity of Sringeri has a glorious history that begins with the setting up of the Dakshinamnaya Peetham by Sri Shankara Bhagavatpada. Originally it was an unpretentious shrine with the Murti of Sharada made of sandalwood, installed over the Sri Chakra that Sri Adi Shankara carved on a rock. Subsequently Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha and Sri Vidyaranya had a temple built in the Kerala style, with timber and tiled roof. Sri Bharati Krishna Tirtha substituted the sandalwood idol with the present golden idol.

However, it is not clear whether, the installed idol was the same Idol, that Adi Sankara had allegedly brought with him .

Connection between Sarda temple and Kapteshwar temple

Though, the architecture of Sharda temple (POK) resembles to that of the Kashmiri architecture , which can still be found in the ruins of Naranaag or the the Sun temple of Martand, But for some reasons, Sir A.Stein thought that the ruins of Sarda resemble most to that of Kapateshwara temple.

Also, it is intriguing, to note that the famous travelers and Historians of the past, like Alberuni and Ab-L-Fazl, both have written that there was the legend of the mysterious and venerated Idol of Sharda at the Temple (POK). Pertinently, both have mentioned that the wooden idol of Mahadeva would emerge from a pond at Kapatesvara, when its water receded.

This clearly indicates, that in Kashmir, there was use of Sandalwood for making Idols of Gods/Godesses; although it is not clear, how it came into existence for religious purposes and how it ended .But, as of today, The Redoubtable temples of Kashmirian architecture, be it Sarda, Martand, or Naranaag are at the brink of extinction and need immediate attention from the concerned authorities. The hoary legends, that once reverberated in the cradle of Kashmir valley, are reduced to dying echoes .

However, some of the sacred Hymns like- Kashmir Purvasini, Vidhya Dieyinam Shawetambuj Viharinam, Chaturbuj Dharini... Shattantriveena Vadini... Mokshadayini, Papanashneemam ... Vitasta Rupenam ... Himachidit Girishshobinam ... Kalashamrit Dharayae. Translated this means;Residing in Kashmir from ancient times..giver of knowledge.. seated on a white bird {Swan}..having four arms, carries hundred stringed veena.. giver of moksha and forgiver of sins.. just like with grace of Vitasta {Jhelum River}.. gracing a snow clad mountain..carrying a pot with holy nectar- will remain immortal. And with it, will live- the legend of Sarda forever.

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ltelidevara

@ltelidevara

Sparkler

+ 8

Posted: 7 years ago

#190

Jwala Devi Sakti pith

It is said to be the most famous Shakti Peetha where the "Tongue of Maa Sati fell and the idols are Devi Maa as Siddhida (Ambika) and Lord Shiva as Unmatta Bhairav. This is located in Disst. Kangra of Himanchal Pradesh. Jwalamukhi is famous temple, 30km south of Kangra valley of the Goddess Jwalamukhi with flaming mouth also known as Flaming Goddess.

These flames are worshiped as the manifestations of the diffrent forms of Goddess Jwala Maa. The nine flames have been named after Goddesses Maha Kali, Maa Annapurna, Maa Chandi, Maa Hinglaj, Vindhyavasini, Maha Lakshmi, Maha Saraswati, Maa Ambika and Anjana Devi, continuously burning without any fuel or assistance, may be seen erupting from a rock-side. Now housed in the shape of nature is worshipped as a Goddess, known as Maa Jwala or Jawalamukhi. It is one of the 51 Shakti-Pitha temples. The great Mughal Emperor Akbar had visited this place to test its originality.

The temple belongs to the golden period when the gods roamed the Earth. Ancient legend speaks of a time when demons lorded over the Himalaya Mountains and harassed the Gods. Led by Lord Vishnu, the Gods decided to destroy them, they focused their strengths in a sacrificial pit and a huge flames rose from it.. From that fire, a young girl tooks birth. She is regarded as Adishakti.who later took birth as Sati and Parvati

Sati's tongue fell at Jwalaji and the Goddess manifested as tiny flames that burn in flawless blue in the age-old rock. Even the Pandavas are regarded to have visited this sacred place.

According to another legend, the Goddess appeared in a dream to a Brahmin in faraway South India, and directed him to proceed to the hills of Kangra in the shadow of the Dhauladhars and search for small tongues of flame leaping from the ground. The Brahmin, it is said responded discovered the sacred spot and in due course of time, erected a temple. Some people believe that Jwalamukhi represents the flaming mouth of Jalandhara, the demon whom Lord Shiva crushed to death by placing on him a huge mass of mountains.

Dhyanu Bhagat is well known devotee of Maa Durga. It is him who spread Devi Mata's name. He lived at the time of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. Dhyanu Bhagat was going to Jwalaji with a group of pilgrims. Akbar summoned him to his court to enquire into the reality of their Goddess. Dhyanu Bhagat told him She is all powerful and answers the prayers of Her devotees.

To test Her power Akbar cut off the head of Dhyanu's horse ordering him to have the Goddess put it back. Dhyanu went to Maa Jwalaji and prayed day and night to no avail. Out of desperation he cut of his own head and offered it to Devi Maa. She then appeared to him riding a lion. She reconnected both his head and that of the horse.

Devi Maa also offered Dhyanu Bhagat a boon. He requested that it should not be so difficult for pigrims to show their devotion. Mata said that in the future if someone offered a coconut she would accept it as if they had offered their own head. To this day people continue to offer coconuts to the Goddess in Her temples all over the world.

After knowing that the head of horse is reconnected, Akbar the great Mughal Emperor visited the temple. The water course which today drips into a tank in the temple premises is said to have been constructed by Akbar in an attempt to douse the burning flames in the temple.

The story goes that when the flames refused to be vanquished by the water channel specially constructed for the purpose, Akbar with utmost humility, became a devotee of the Goddess, and overcome by emotion, presented a chattra (umbrella) of gold to the Goddess. But when leaving, the Emperor looked back with immense pride at the valuable gift that he had made to the Goddess, and was mortified to find that the gold had turned into copper!

Jai Mata Siddhidaa

Edited by ltelidevara - 7 years ago

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Rajarajeswari Polali DT Nt pg 8 - Page 19

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