Virtual Yatra to Himalayas (Part 5)

[Guest guest]

font-weight:bold">Sai Ram Brothers and Sisters

font-weight:bold">

font-weight:bold">This is the “Part 5” of the Virtual Yatra to

Himalayas series …….

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bold">BADRINATH :

Badrinath,

nestling in the majestic Himalayas, is the

abode of Lord Shiva, the home of sages, and the destination of pilgrims through

the

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ages. Cradled in the

twin mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan, the Neelkanth Peak

provides a splendid backdrop to Badrinath, one of the ‘Four Dhams (sacred

spots)’. Being the most celebrated pilgrim spots in the country, it plays

host to the famous Badrinath

Temple.

color:blue">It’s believed that Lord Narayana was supposed to be doing

Tapas here.

color:blue">Badrinath itself ensconced between the Nara

and the Narayana mountains, at the foot of the snow diademed Nilakanta Peak

(the Queen of the Himalayas, 21,640 ft high).

Puranas declare Narasimha came to shed His ferocity and Narada, Agni and Indra

did penance here. King Visala by his Tapas there won the distinction of Badri

being Badri Visal; King Ghantakarna by his austerity there won the honour being

the watchman of the Lord. Uddhava is doing Tapas there even today by the

special command of Sri Krishna. And the Lord Himself is depicted as in

Tapomudra, in keeping with the elevating and inspiring mood of the entire

Himalayan area for miles around and is worshipped by Gods for half the year and

by men during the other half.

bold">BADRI

color:purple;font-weight:bold"> TEMPLE

color:purple;font-weight:bold"> :

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The holy temple of Badri is believed to be worshipped by

human being for six months and by the divine beings for the remaining six

months of the year. The Narayana idol in this temple appears often as a

Lingam, sometimes as the Buddha and sometimes as Sakthi. The sanctum here

houses Lord Badri Narayan, Kuber ( God of wealth), Narad Rishi, Uthavar, Nar

& Narayan. Lord Badri Narayan (also called as Badri Vishal) is armed with

Conch (Shankh) and Chakra in two arms in a lifted posture and two more arms

rested on the lap in Yogamudra. The principal image is of black stone and it

represents Vishnu seated in meditative pose. The temple also houses Garud

(Vahana - vehicle of Lord Narayan) and Goddess Mahalaxmi (referred as

Arvidavalli Thayar by Tamilians). Also here are the idols of Adi Sankara, Swami

Desikan and Shri Ramanujar. The temple is closed for about 6 months due to the

severe cold and snowing immediately after the month of November. As the place

is filled with snow it becomes uninhabitable for normal human beings. Hence the

sacred shrine can be worshipped by humans for only 6 months. As per the legend

soon after the temple doors close the deities are worshipped by sage

Narada, Gods and demigods, great sages and person of divine origin who come to

this place.

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color:navy">Aren’t these deities, who are worshipped by humans for 6 months

and gods for other 6 months, exceptionally divine? But then the question in

each of us would be “are they really worshipped by the other divine

beings or is it a folk tale that is being told by our elders?”

color:blue"> Let’s

explore!!! The doors of the temple are

closed after performing all the poojas. The idols of Luxmi and Narayana are

decorated with lots of flowers. An “akandajoythi” (a lamp to burn

continuously) is lit. A glass full of milk is placed near the idols of the

deities and covered with a cloth. Then admist the Veda chanting the doors of

the temple will be closed. The priests go back to their homes as they are from

South India and the temple becomes deserted till next

March or April. When the severe winter is over that is after 6 months temple is

re-opened.

color:blue">

color:navy">

color:navy">What do you expect to see in a place which closed for 6 months.

Rotten smell! Cob webs! Dark, gloomy and stinking ground!!!

color:blue"> Lo and behold!

Nothing

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color:navy">as you expected! But well beyond your mind could imagine and

analyse!! The scented flowers that were

used to decorate the deities 6 months ago looking fresh as just bloomed and

spreading their fragrance all around. The “akandajoythi” which was

lit 6 months ago burning continuously with all the refulgence and splendour.

Even the milk in the glass that was offered sis months ago remains fresh

and unspoiled as just taken out from the cow’s lap. The fire in the

“homagunda” (the scared pit) continues to burn unextinguished. An

unusual luster can be seen on the faces of the deities.

color:navy"> How could this be possible? Even in a refrigerator for how long

can we keep an unopened milk packet? Without putting the firewood and in a

closed environment which has low oxygen level, how can we keep the

‘akandajoythi’ being burnt for such a long time?

color:blue"> Is it turning out all

the theories of Chemis

color:navy">try and Physics? No! Instead they

prove to us that during these 6 months the deities have been receiving the

prayers regularly. As it’s closed for humans, then the prayers should be

from divine beings and great sages. This is the specialty of the Badri Temple

and thus it’s been regarded as one of the holiest place for pilgrimage.

Let’s hear the greatness of Badri in Swami’s own words.

 

0in;margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-align:justify;text-autospace:

none">“When

you see the enthusiasm of the pilgrims who trudge along the Badhri Road in thousands, you will be

silenced with wonder; you will no more lament that atheism has become rampant

in this land. With faith as their only support, people from all parts of India,

men, women and children, old and young, stalwarts and decrepits, rich and poor,

move on towards. Badhri. There are many things which you can learn from their

steady march towards the goal; that is the advantage in going on pilgrimage.

You can develop your bhakthi (devotion), your shraddha (faith) and your

saadhana (spiritual discipline) when you are surrounded by kindred aspirants.

That is the greatness of that Naaraayana Muurthi at Badhri

TimesNewRoman;color:green">.”

font-style:italic">

"TimesNewRoman\,Italic";font-weight:bold;font-style:italic">Discourse delivered

at Prashaanthi Nilayam on, 4-7-1961 (From the Sathya Sai Speaks, volume

02- Chapter 11)

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font-weight:bold">MYTH BEHIND THE BADRI

TEMPLE

color:blue">How did this sacred temple came up in the Himalayas?

Thousands of years ago Adi Shankaracharya brought five lingas from Kailash and

consecrated at five places. They are Badri, Puri, Shringeri, Dwaraka and

Chithambaram.

 

color:blue">Mother Ganga flows into this temple. It can be seen through a small

opening in the wall on the rear side of the temple. The source of this flow is

unknown. The legend says that when Lord Narayanan came to the Himalayas he

needed water for cooking and as per the wishes of the Lord Maha Vishnu the Ganga

flowed into the temple.

 

font-weight:bold">TAPTA KUNDALAS :

color:blue;font-weight:bold">

 

color:blue">Its like a big swimming pool. Hot water from one and cold water

from the other flow continuously. It’s an uninterrupted flow. At the

bathing point both the hot water and cold water meets. It’s an

indescribable sign of love of God. The temperature of the water in this

Kund is 55 degree centigrade whereas the normal temperature in this region for

most part of the year at 9-10 degree centigrade to sub-zero levels. Before

visiting the temple the pilgrims take a holy bath in the Taptakund.

 

 

font-weight:bold">To be continued ……………

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font-weight:bold">Sai Ram

font-weight:bold">

font-weight:bold">Shivathmika

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[Guest guest]

saiyeled284

Cc: shivathmika

Sat Oct 15, 2005 10:35am

Virtual Yatra to Himalayas (Part 5)

 

Sai Ram, dear Shivathmika, this series of Virtual Yatra to Himalayas

becomes more fascinating each day! Thank you so much for this great

contribution. May Swami bless you always with his sweetest and

choicest blessings.

 

With Sai love,

Gina

Sai Ram

saiyeled284

Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu

 

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Soumendra Bhattacharjee <soumendra_toronto

Fri Oct 14, 2005 11:58pm

Re: [saibabanews] Virtual Yatra to Himalayas (Part 4)

 

Sai Ram Shivatmika ,

 

Bravo - wonderful - magnificent -

 

words fail to express - excellent work.

 

Please keep up the good work and let it flow- we all enjoy full

heartedly.

 

May Swami Bless you always.

 

Sai Ram

 

Soumendra