In the previous episode, we had witnessed an important point as an extension of the discussion on “Teertha-Yatras” and “Punya-Kshetras”. We had earlier witnessed that by visiting various “Punya-Kshetras”, our minds and bodies get purified and thereby, this would enable us to walk the path of “Dharma” quite easily, without any strain. Moreover, if we look at all the “Punya-Kshetras” of India, they are unparalleled as compared to any other place in the world. For instance, we had witnessed yesterday how each and every river of our Bhaarata Desha has its significance as per our “Sanaatana Dharma” literature. For instance, River Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Cauvery, etc. have existed even during the Tretha Yuga time period, which is around 100,000 years ago. We can witness references made to these rivers by Valmiki Maharishi in his Ramayana text. Not only this – Subsequently, Sage Vyaasa’s Mahabharata which we’re currently witnessing, also has enormous references to the same set of rivers! Sage Vyaasa, as we had witnessed, has composed the Mahabharata text towards the end of the Dwaapara Yuga and in the beginning of the Kali Yuga. Moreover, Shrimad Bhaagawatha Puraana also talks about the origin and course of various rivers in India. Thus, if we see all this together, we can conclude that the rivers of our Bhaarata Desha have unparalleled significance and this is why it is widely said that if we take a holy dip in these rivers, all our sins would get washed away. Most importantly, Bhagawan’s divine lotus feet have time and again touched these river waters, and with this, the purity of these rivers are unparalleled as well! Hence, this point gets vindicated!
Moving on further, now that we’ve discussed how our great rivers are significant, we shall witness why “Kshetras” are important. We have many important places like Mathura (Birth place of Bhagawan Krishna), Ayodhya (Birth place of Bhagawan Rama), Bhadreekaashrama (Divine abode of Shri Bhadreenaatha Swamy), Kaashi Kshetra (An important place for Bhagawan Shiva), Dakshineshwar (An important temple for Goddess Kaali, situated in Kolkata), Srirangam (Dwelling place of Bhagawan Ranganatha in the reclining form at Trichy), and the likes. The list is countless, and I’m only pointing out a few of them for the benefit of our readers. Each place has its own significance with regards to Bhagawan’s divine presence in all of them in some form or the other. Now we might ask a question – “Oh! Why should we visit Ayodhya or Mathura or whatever place? So what if Bhagawan Krishna and Rama took birth there? They are not here now, aren’t they? Hence, what are we going to gain by visiting these places now after thousands of years of their birth?” The answer is very simple – It is not important for us whether Bhagawan is in the form of “Sthoola Deham” (Physical form) or “Sookshma Deham” (Omni-present in an invisible form). This is where our Sanaatana Dharma as a way of life stands out uniquely as compared to the others – Bhagawan can exist in any form at any point in time!
Then why should we visit Mathura and Ayodhya? We can experience Bhagawan at our homes itself, isn’t it? The answer is very simple – Every temple has its own spiritual vibrations. There is always a difference between experiencing Bhagawan in a temple, as against experiencing Bhagawan at our home. Of course, I’m not saying that we should stop doing our Pujas at home. That’s not the point. However, in a temple, Pujas and offerings take place continuously and with this, the power of the “Sanctum Sanctorum” is enormous. Moreover, many temples in India are consecrated by great Maharishis and at times, Bhagawan Himself. Hence, the power that these “Sanctum Sanctorums” emanate is extremely high. If we experience these vibrations, it gives us an unparalleled peace and tranquillity to our minds. This is why we visit temples and other “Kshetras”.
So for today, let us understand this point very clearly as we move on with this discussion further! We shall continue this in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 