In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of the discussion our Bhaarata Desha’s vast significance. Sage Paraashara is clearly putting out a concrete statement that our Bhaarata Desha is a “Karma Bhoomi”, and if anyone wants to even think and conceptualize about attaining “Moksha” or “Liberation” from this vicious birth-death cycle, he / she has to be born and living in this great land. It is called “Karma Bhoomi” because Sage Paraashara clearly explains that whatever “Karma” we perform in life, it has full effect only if it performed here in our Bhaarata Desha. When I talk about “Karma”, I’m talking about the “Nitya Karma” and the “Naimittika Karma”. Right from our “Sandhyavandanam” every day to performing the “Shraadha” for our departed parents, grandparents, etc., – All would bear the essence and fruit of it only if done in our Bhaarata Desha. Of course, people who live abroad can perform all of this, but it would generally be only for our own personal satisfaction. However, the question that whether this would give us the real benefit while performing our “Karma” abroad, remains broadly in the terms of merely satisfying oneself, rather than attaining the ultimate benefit of “Moksha”. Thus, such is the significance of our great Bhaarata Desha.
Moving on thus, Sage Paraashara talks about the various geographical significance of our Bhaarata Desha. He talks about the important mountain ranges that adorn our beautiful country – The Himachala, Vindhyas, etc. Then, he talks about the important rivers that add to the significance of our Bhaarata Desha – He talks a great deal about River Ganges, River Yamuna, River Godavari, River Brahmaputra, River Tapti, River Narmada, River Cauvery and River Taamraparni. Thus, the significance of these rivers is that, if anyone takes a dip into any of these rivers, the sins that he has done, as well as the sins that his 21 generations have done would be completely washed away. Thus, once our sins are washed away, automatically we’re on the path to attain “Moksha” isn’t it? This is exactly what Sage Paraashara is mentioning here, for all of us to understand.
Moving on thus, we’ve seen that the Jambu-Dveepa is at the center, and surrounding the Jambu-Dveepa is the ocean of salt water. In fact, it is only amidst the discussion of this Jambu-Dveepa, we branched into the discussion of the Bhaarata Varsha and Bharata Kanda and the Bhaarata Desha. Now moving on with the major discussion on the different Dveepas again, we’re going to see what kinds of oceans surround each of the Dveepas. We’ve already witnessed that there are seven different Dveepas, surrounded by seven different oceans, isn’t it? Readers can trace back a few episodes backwards and find the details of this narrative. Now, we’re going to extend this discussion forward and witness the different types of oceans that surround each of the Dveepas. In that way, the Jambu-Dveepa, as mentioned, is surrounded by the ocean of salt water. Similarly, the next “Plaksha Dveepa” is surrounded by the ocean of black-coloured thick water. Subsequently, the third Dveepa is surrounded by the ocean of alcohol. The fourth Dveepa is surrounded by the ocean of ghee. Fifth Dveepa, subsequently is surrounded by the ocean of curd. Next, is the ocean of milk, and the seventh one is the ocean of pure water. Thus, these seven oceans surround the seven different Dveepas. It would be astonishing for all of us as to how great Sages like Sage Paraashara, Sage Sukhaachaarya, etc. have such a “telescopic” view of what is there millions of kilometers apart. They never had any sort of modern equipment that we have today. Yet, their “Adrishta Shakti” or the “Power of deep penance” takes them to such great distances by just sitting at one place. This is the power of our “Maharishis” and we should indeed feel proud that we’re having all these documentations intact, without getting destroyed over time.
Thus, Sage Paraashara moves onto the next narrative – He says that people living in the other Dveepas, other than the Jambu-Dveepa are jealous, and they sing in praise of this great “Jambu-Dveepa”. This kicks up an important question here, which the modern scientists keep asking all the time – Does life exist beyond our earth’s surface? Well! The answer according to Sage Paraashara is a big “YES”! If someone from another Dveepa has to sing in praise of our Jambu Dveepa (which is nothing but Mother Earth today that we know), there is certainly every chance that life does exist elsewhere too. Most importantly, according to Sage Paraashara, life exists elsewhere in the human form! This is a startling answer given by Sage Paraashara here, however, we might find it difficult to accept this, given the various theories and philosophies that we’re into today.
Thus, for today, let us understand these important points and let’s wait till the next episode to find out how did these people from the other “Dveepas” sing in praise of the “Jambu-Dveepa”. Stay tuned for an interesting accord ahead! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 