In the previous episode, we had concluded the discussion on “Teertha-Yatras”, and the crux of the conversation between Bhishmachaarya and Sage Pulasthya, which is the reference point of Sage Narada to answer Yudishtra’s question. In due course, we had also had a detailed elaboration on why we should embark on “Teertha-Yatras” whenever we get time amidst our work / personal schedules. We’ve also understood in yesterday’s episode, the five different “states” of Bhagawan Vishnu and how it is best feasible for all of us to worship Bhagawan in His fifth important state – The “Vigraha Rupa” (Idol worshipping). In fact, this is not only applicable for Bhagawan Vishnu, but for all other important deities of our “Sanaatana Dharma” as well. “Idol worship” is something that is of extreme prominence and the main reason behind it is that, it is difficult for us to worship Bhagawan in the other four states as explained yesterday. In this “Kali-Yuga”, the easiest way of attaining Bhagawan’s divine lotus feet is to worship Him in His idol form, sing in praise of Him and experience His divine “Anugraha”. This is the best way to attain “Moksha” and this is exactly what Sage Naarada concludes to Yudishtra too.
Explaining the conversation between Sage Pulasthya and Bhishmachaarya, Sage Naarada concludes thus, “Oh Yudishtra! You’ve made an important decision, which is excellent! All of you should embark on a “Teertha-Yatra” immediately and through this, you’re going to gain enormously! Hence, go ahead and experience Bhagawan’s divine “Anugraha” at all the places that you would be travelling to!” We should also take this advice of Sage Naarada very seriously, shouldn’t we? Moreover, we should also understand that while we worship Bhagawan in the “Vigraha Rupa”, more than we going and worshipping Him, He is waiting to receive us with both His arms open! This is the faith that all our Alwars, Aachaaryas, Nayanmars, etc. have had, while establishing one “Punya-Kshetra” after the other, all across the Bhaarata Desha! In fact, there are various references in our “Sanaatana Dharma” literature that at every temple, Bhagawan is waiting for us, rather than we waiting for Him! For instance, in the south, if we happen to visit the Tirupati-Tirumala Kshetra, the crowd is enormous every day, and we would not even be able to stand in front of Bhagawan Venkateshwara for even five seconds! We might have a doubt here – Isn’t this point contradictory in nature, that Bhagawan is waiting for us on one hand, but on the other, we’re being pushed away within just five seconds? The significance of this deity at Tirumala-Tirupati Kshetra is that, if we stand in front of Him for more than five seconds, perhaps, Bhagawan would never leave us from His cusp! If that happens, how will we be able to return back home and manage our personal / professional commitments? 🙂 Maybe it is for this reason, Bhagawan Venkateshwara is pushing all of us out of His Sanctum-Sanctorum within just five seconds! The same can be observed at many other places as well – For instance, in Pandharpur (Bhagawan Krishna’s important abode in the Indian state of Maharashtra) too, one would be able to stand in front of Bhagawan Panduranga (Bhagawan Krishna) only for this same five-second-duration and for the sixth second, we would be pushed out! Some important Kshetras are like this, and we really cannot help!
However, there are other “Kshetras” wherein Bhagawan can be worshipped at ease and at our own will! We can stand in front of Bhagawan for an enormous amount of time, and there would be nobody to push us out! If we go to all these “Divya-Desam” temples of Bhagawan Vishnu that are located in remote villages, we can have the “Ekaanta-Darshan” of the Sanctum Sanctorm, and in these places, Bhagawan is really waiting for all of us with His hands open to receive us! We should thus make sure that we visit these kinds of temples wherein there isn’t much crowd! Moreover, there are a lot of temples – Both Vishnu and Shiva temples which lack adequate funds for maintenance. There are a huge number of temples which doesn’t even have enough funds for lighting a lamp for the presiding deity. Moreover, there are significant temples in some remote villages which doesn’t even have a proper “Pandit” for performing the regular Pujas for the deities. We, as ardent followers of our “Sanaatana Dharma” should generously come forward and take some responsibilities according to our capacity and financial strength, to take steps and ensure that all the Pujas are in place. We should generously come forward to donate money and other requirements to these temples so that, the deity is adequately taken care of in terms of lighting of lamps, electric lighting of the “Praahaaras”, regular cleaning of the temple premises, etc. If we take such responsibilities, there are no better “Punya-Karmas” that we can accumulate in this birth! We should in fact be extremely happy and feel fortunate that there are these kinds of temples, and Bhagawan is giving us an opportunity to develop these temples and in turn, be of “Seva” to Him!
So for today, let us think on these lines and let us consciously take a step forward to be of service to temples that are in dire need. We should have the heart to donate generously to these temples so that Bhagawan is adequately taken care of! I’m using these words very cautiously here – More than Bhagawan taking care of us, we also should take care of Bhagawan, shouldn’t we? This is called “Bhakti”! Hence, let us think about this and do the needful! We shall continue this discussion in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 