In the previous episode, we had witnessed a few important pointers with regards to taking a “Holy-Dip” in a “Nadhi-Theeram” (River bank / Ghat). We should ensure the following important points – Firstly, not encouraging discrimination amongst fellow people who are also taking the holy dip in the river – Secondly, making sure that we bow down into the river waters and taking the dip and not taking bath with a mug or a container – Thirdly, we should avoid taking soaps, shampoos and other chemical items into the river. This would end up polluting the river water, which is extremely sacred – Fourth – We should ensure that we take some small amounts of food items to serve the fishes and other aquatic living beings that thrive in the water. This is a great “Punya-Karma” that we would be performing. Fifth – We should perform our oblations and atleast a “Sandhyavandanam” amidst the river waters, as a token of respect to the river. These are the important points that we should remember when we go to a “Nadhi-Theeram” and readers should make note of them and should follow them meticulously.
All these points are being stressed again and again because we should understand that our Bhaarata Desha is full of holy and sacred rivers, right from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. All of us know the significance of river Ganga, and its tributaries. We’ve witnessed this as part of our previous Ramayana project as to how King Bhageeratha brought Maa Ganga down to the earth from Bhagawan Shiva’s head. Such is the significance of the holy River Ganga. Similarly in the central and southern part of India, we have the famous rivers of Godhavari, Krishna, Cauvery, Tamraparni, etc. Each of these rivers have their own significance even from the ancient Ramayana period or before that as well. For instance, when the Tamil Month of “Aipasi” (Mid-October to Mid-November) arrives every year, it is believed that all the significances of all the sacred rivers across our Bhaarata Desha come and rest in the River Cauvery. Thus, taking a holy dip in the Cauvery River during this month is extremely sacred. Even today, if we visit the “Amma-Mantapam” Ghat in Srirangam at Trichy, Tamil Nadu, we would see lakhs of people coming and taking the holy dip in the River Cauvery.
Similarly, we see a very grand festival called “Kumbh-Mela” being celebrated once in twelve years for major sacred rivers. We refer this important event as “Thulaa-Snaanam” wherein thousands and thousands of people from all over the world flock to the various “Ghats” (Banks) of the sacred rivers to take a holy dip. The “Maha-Kumbh-Mela” is celebrated for River Ganga, and subsequently there are many other “Kumbh-Melas” that keep taking place for various rivers as well. Thus, we can clearly see here that the entire “Bhaarata Desha” is a “Punya-Bhoomi” and a “Punya-Kshetra” as a whole! Every inch of soil in this holy country is a “Punya-Kshetra” and if we’re getting this opportunity to spend our life in this place, what more do we want in this world? We should indeed be extremely thankful to Bhagawan for providing us this golden opportunity to live in this holy and sacred place!
Of course, there are various challenges that we face every passing day. We have enormous problems, through which we wade through day in and day out. But that should not undermine the significance of our Bhaarata Desha. Readers should think of this seriously – Is there any country in this world which has no problems / challenges? There would not be a single country in this category! Challenges are everywhere and are universal in nature! It is we who’ve to wade through all of these and ensure that we use this opportunity given by Bhagawan to wash off all our “Karma”. Thus, by taking holy dips in all our sacred rivers, we shall be rest-assured that we’re obtaining the divine “Anugraha” of Bhagawan in some way or the other. By doing so, Bhagawan also gets happy because we’re taking the stride and effort to come towards Him. If Bhagawan’s heart melts towards us with happiness, automatically we’re going to obtain the highest “Moksha”, isn’t it?
So for today, let us think of this point very clearly and let us act accordingly! We shall continue this discussion in the next episode as well! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 