ESSENCE OF PURANAS SERIES
Chapter 15: Quick account of Sacred Places in Kashmira
Condensed English Translation by Sri V.D.N. Rao
King Gonanda desired to hear of a brief account from Sage Brihadashwa of various Sacred Places in Kashmira and the latter obliged Gonanda as follows commencing from Shri Ganesha:
Vinayakam tu Gangeyam nistrutam Vardhanadrumaat,
Twam drushtwaa Sarvakalyaaneem siddhimaapnoti Maanavah/
Yadhaavidhim kaamyavaram tasya Dakshinaapaschimey,
Deshetu kroshamaatrena drushtwaa kaaryaani saadhayet/
Bhurjaswaami Hidimbesho Lovaarah Shri Vinaayakah/
Utankesho Guhaavaasi Bhimeshah Soumukhastathaa,
Bhadreaswaro Mahaasyascha Mahaashana gaveshano/
Poulastyo Girivaasicha Jayeswara Mahehwarou,
Ekaikamebhyo drushtvaa tu Ganesham Susamaahitah/
Karyasiddhimavaapnoti Puraayam Phalamupaashnutey/
( On merely viewing the Idol of Vinayaka, the son of Devi Ganga who descended from ‘Vardhanadruma’mountain, any human being would attain all kinds of propitiousness and ‘Siddhis’. One’s darshan of ‘Kaamyavara’ Vinayaka in a Temple hardly a ‘krosha’ of a distance would bestow fulfillment of wishes. Attainment of Karya Siddhi or success in one’s endeavours would be certainly possible by worshipping Ganesha by any name like Bhurjaswami, Hidimbesha, Lovaara, Shri Vinayaka, Utankesha, Guhaavaasi, Bheemesha, Sowmukha, Bhadreaswara, Mahaasya, Mahashana Gaveshana, Poulastya, Girivaasi, Jayeshwara and Maheshwara).
The Idol of Skanda set up Pulastya Muni should be seen after taking bath in ‘Paatra Kunda’to secure ‘Punya’ of ‘Go-daana’ in charity; the Deity is also called: Maalivana, Gautamesha, Vishwaamitreshwara, Shounaasika, Vasishthesha, Maakharesha, Sureswara, Skandeshwara, Vishaakhesha and Poulastyapara. Indra:
Pulastyanirmitam Shakram Bharadwajakritam tathaa,
Kaashyapam kaarnavamaaha Satyam Vaasishtham cha Shatakrutam/
Drushtwa Swargamaapoti Gosahsra phalam labhet/
(Viewing the Pratima of Shakra who performed hundred ‘Kratus’ as set up by Sages Pulastya, Bharadwaaja, Kashyapa, Kaanva, Agastya and Vasistha would yield the benefit of securing Swargam as also of the charity of a thousand of cows).
Worshipping the Idol of Agni as installed by Maharshi Angirasa would secure the ‘phala’ of accomplishing ‘Diwa’ (Heaven): Agneraangirasam drushtwaa Pratimaam praapruyaad divam/
Yama Dharma Raja:
Thaijasey tu narah snaatwaa drushtwaa pretaadhipam Yamam,
Swargalokamavaapnoti tila dhenu phalam bhavet/
Snaatwaa tu Pushkarey drushtwaa Surya sutam tathaa,
Sarva paapa vinirmuktah Swargalokey maheeyatey/
(Paying reverence to Yama Dharmaja, the Head of Pretas, after taking bath in the River Thaijasa would yield Swarga and the fruits of charity of ‘Tilaas’ and ‘Dhenu’. Also ‘Pushkara Tirtha Snaana’ and homage to Surya Putra would result in the destruction of sins and ascent to heavens).The Idols of Yama, Sutankesha and the Chief of Pretas which were installed by Vasishtha Muni in Kashmira are better viewed during the nights after worshipping Virupaksha Deva for demolishing human fears of Rakshasaas as also of sins. Veneration of Idols of Varuna and King Bali Bali installed by Pulastya in a Temple near Maha Padma Sarovara-in the northern part of ‘Mansa Lake’, would kill diseases and ‘kilbishaas’or wrongdoings besides fetching ‘Go-daana phala’. Viewing the Idol of Dhaneshwara adjacent to God Vitastaksha, as installed by Agastya would assure prosperity and riches.
Sage Brihadashwa listed out innumerable other Pratimas all over Kashmira Region of Bharata Desha and their worship installed by Maharshis and past Kings; for instance Sashanka would give access to Chandra loka, Manibhadra would provide wealth, Kama Deva blesses with physical satisfaction while various other Deities like Kapilanjali, Sureshwari, Bhadreshwari, Goutameshi, Kala seela, Udyogeshwari, Gavaski, Chandika, Durga, Gauri, Suvijaya, Brahma- chaarini, Chakreswari and so on would all fulfill one’s own desires and ambition.
Idols of Surya Deva:
Kartaveeryaarjuna Swaamim drushtwaa tam cha Divakaram,
Maartandam Kashyapa Swamim Vishwagashwakitam Ravim/
Suchandresham Suchakresham Surabheeswaminam Ravim,
Drushtvaikaikamathai tebhyo Hayadaava phalam labhet/
(On viewing the Forms of Kartaviryarjuna Swami or of Divakara, Kashyapa Swami or of Martanda, Vishwageshwa or of Ravi, and such others like Suchandresha, Suchakresha and Surabhi Swami Ravi, the person concerned would achieve the ‘Punya’ of ‘Ashva daana’. Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara Swarupas: Sage Brihadashwa elaborated to King
Gonanda about the strong presence of Tri Murtis in Kashmira Region as follows:
Brahmaanam varadam drushtwaa Shailarupa dharam swayam,
Vishnu Swamim Hara Swamim Kashapa Swaminam tathaa/
Drushtwaitaan Swargamaampnoti Bhumi paala Pitaamahaan,
Chakraswami sameepastham Haram drushtwaa Sudarshanam/
Swayambhuvam Vahnikrutam tathaa vai Pingaleswaram,
Bindunaadeswaram Devam Devam Bhadreshwaram tathaa/
Chandreshwaram Sajyejeshtham Vaakakhilyeshwaram Harim,
Keshavesham samesham cha Dhoumyesham Varuneshvaram/
Chakreshwaram Suchandresham Kashyapesham vilohitam,
Kaamesham Savaasishthesham Bhutesham saganeshwaram/
Suryeshwaram Maha Raja Bhasmesham Vimaleshwaram,
Drushtaikaikamathaitebhyo muchatey Sarva kalbishaih/
Himachalesham Shankhesham Devam Vaivartileshvaram,
Maha Nandeshwaram Shambhum Varadam Kashyapeshwaram/
Rajeshwaram Nrisimhesham Bhavesham Dhanadeshwaram,
Sadaa Sannihito Rajan Devo Bhuteshvaro Harih/
(King Gonanda! The all merciful Brahma Deva assumed the Form of a Mountain and presented himself as Vishnu Swami, Hara Swami and Kashyapa Swami. All those who could visualise the various manifestations would indeed be relieved of their sins, crimes and transgressions. Some of such Sacred Murtis include the following: Sadarshana Hara nearby a Place called Chakra Swami; Swayambhuva as installed by Vahni Deva /Agni; Pingaleshwara, Bindunaadeshwara, Bhadreshwara Deva, Chandreshwara together with Jyeshthesha; Vaalakhilyeshwara, Hari, Keshavesha, Samesha, Dhaumesha, Varuneshwara, Chakreshwara along with Suchandresha, Kashyapesha, Vilohita, Kamesha with Vasishthesha; Bhutesha together with Ganeshwara; Suryeshwara, Bhashmesha with Vimaleshwara, Himalayesha, Shankhesha Deva, Vaivishweshwara, Maha Nandeswara, Shubha, Varada, Kashyapeshwara, Rajeshwara, Nrisimhesha, Bhavesha, Dhanadeshwara! King Gonanda! These and innumerable other manifestations of Bhuteshwara Hari are always ever-present in the Kashmira Region of Bharata Varsha)!
Kashmira Raja! May Nandeshwara who is always present with Maha Deva as an inseparable Entity provide the best of blessings to the Kashmiras as he too is ever compassionate and forgiving as Maha Deva himself!
Vinayakam tu Gangeyam nistrutam Vardhanadrumaat,
Twam drushtwaa Sarvakalyaaneem siddhimaapnoti Maanavah/
Yadhaavidhim kaamyavaram tasya Dakshinaapaschimey,
Deshetu kroshamaatrena drushtwaa kaaryaani saadhayet/
Bhurjaswaami Hidimbesho Lovaarah Shri Vinaayakah/
Utankesho Guhaavaasi Bhimeshah Soumukhastathaa,
Bhadreaswaro Mahaasyascha Mahaashana gaveshano/
Poulastyo Girivaasicha Jayeswara Mahehwarou,
Ekaikamebhyo drushtvaa tu Ganesham Susamaahitah/
Karyasiddhimavaapnoti Puraayam Phalamupaashnutey/
( On merely viewing the Idol of Vinayaka, the son of Devi Ganga who descended from ‘Vardhanadruma’mountain, any human being would attain all kinds of propitiousness and ‘Siddhis’. One’s darshan of ‘Kaamyavara’ Vinayaka in a Temple hardly a ‘krosha’ of a distance would bestow fulfillment of wishes. Attainment of Karya Siddhi or success in one’s endeavours would be certainly possible by worshipping Ganesha by any name like Bhurjaswami, Hidimbesha, Lovaara, Shri Vinayaka, Utankesha, Guhaavaasi, Bheemesha, Sowmukha, Bhadreaswara, Mahaasya, Mahashana Gaveshana, Poulastya, Girivaasi, Jayeshwara and Maheshwara).
The Idol of Skanda set up Pulastya Muni should be seen after taking bath in ‘Paatra Kunda’to secure ‘Punya’ of ‘Go-daana’ in charity; the Deity is also called: Maalivana, Gautamesha, Vishwaamitreshwara, Shounaasika, Vasishthesha, Maakharesha, Sureswara, Skandeshwara, Vishaakhesha and Poulastyapara. Indra:
Pulastyanirmitam Shakram Bharadwajakritam tathaa,
Kaashyapam kaarnavamaaha Satyam Vaasishtham cha Shatakrutam/
Drushtwa Swargamaapoti Gosahsra phalam labhet/
(Viewing the Pratima of Shakra who performed hundred ‘Kratus’ as set up by Sages Pulastya, Bharadwaaja, Kashyapa, Kaanva, Agastya and Vasistha would yield the benefit of securing Swargam as also of the charity of a thousand of cows).
Worshipping the Idol of Agni as installed by Maharshi Angirasa would secure the ‘phala’ of accomplishing ‘Diwa’ (Heaven): Agneraangirasam drushtwaa Pratimaam praapruyaad divam/
Yama Dharma Raja:
Thaijasey tu narah snaatwaa drushtwaa pretaadhipam Yamam,
Swargalokamavaapnoti tila dhenu phalam bhavet/
Snaatwaa tu Pushkarey drushtwaa Surya sutam tathaa,
Sarva paapa vinirmuktah Swargalokey maheeyatey/
(Paying reverence to Yama Dharmaja, the Head of Pretas, after taking bath in the River Thaijasa would yield Swarga and the fruits of charity of ‘Tilaas’ and ‘Dhenu’. Also ‘Pushkara Tirtha Snaana’ and homage to Surya Putra would result in the destruction of sins and ascent to heavens).The Idols of Yama, Sutankesha and the Chief of Pretas which were installed by Vasishtha Muni in Kashmira are better viewed during the nights after worshipping Virupaksha Deva for demolishing human fears of Rakshasaas as also of sins. Veneration of Idols of Varuna and King Bali Bali installed by Pulastya in a Temple near Maha Padma Sarovara-in the northern part of ‘Mansa Lake’, would kill diseases and ‘kilbishaas’or wrongdoings besides fetching ‘Go-daana phala’. Viewing the Idol of Dhaneshwara adjacent to God Vitastaksha, as installed by Agastya would assure prosperity and riches.
Sage Brihadashwa listed out innumerable other Pratimas all over Kashmira Region of Bharata Desha and their worship installed by Maharshis and past Kings; for instance Sashanka would give access to Chandra loka, Manibhadra would provide wealth, Kama Deva blesses with physical satisfaction while various other Deities like Kapilanjali, Sureshwari, Bhadreshwari, Goutameshi, Kala seela, Udyogeshwari, Gavaski, Chandika, Durga, Gauri, Suvijaya, Brahma- chaarini, Chakreswari and so on would all fulfill one’s own desires and ambition.
Idols of Surya Deva:
Kartaveeryaarjuna Swaamim drushtwaa tam cha Divakaram,
Maartandam Kashyapa Swamim Vishwagashwakitam Ravim/
Suchandresham Suchakresham Surabheeswaminam Ravim,
Drushtvaikaikamathai tebhyo Hayadaava phalam labhet/
(On viewing the Forms of Kartaviryarjuna Swami or of Divakara, Kashyapa Swami or of Martanda, Vishwageshwa or of Ravi, and such others like Suchandresha, Suchakresha and Surabhi Swami Ravi, the person concerned would achieve the ‘Punya’ of ‘Ashva daana’. Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara Swarupas: Sage Brihadashwa elaborated to King
Gonanda about the strong presence of Tri Murtis in Kashmira Region as follows:
Brahmaanam varadam drushtwaa Shailarupa dharam swayam,
Vishnu Swamim Hara Swamim Kashapa Swaminam tathaa/
Drushtwaitaan Swargamaampnoti Bhumi paala Pitaamahaan,
Chakraswami sameepastham Haram drushtwaa Sudarshanam/
Swayambhuvam Vahnikrutam tathaa vai Pingaleswaram,
Bindunaadeswaram Devam Devam Bhadreshwaram tathaa/
Chandreshwaram Sajyejeshtham Vaakakhilyeshwaram Harim,
Keshavesham samesham cha Dhoumyesham Varuneshvaram/
Chakreshwaram Suchandresham Kashyapesham vilohitam,
Kaamesham Savaasishthesham Bhutesham saganeshwaram/
Suryeshwaram Maha Raja Bhasmesham Vimaleshwaram,
Drushtaikaikamathaitebhyo muchatey Sarva kalbishaih/
Himachalesham Shankhesham Devam Vaivartileshvaram,
Maha Nandeshwaram Shambhum Varadam Kashyapeshwaram/
Rajeshwaram Nrisimhesham Bhavesham Dhanadeshwaram,
Sadaa Sannihito Rajan Devo Bhuteshvaro Harih/
(King Gonanda! The all merciful Brahma Deva assumed the Form of a Mountain and presented himself as Vishnu Swami, Hara Swami and Kashyapa Swami. All those who could visualise the various manifestations would indeed be relieved of their sins, crimes and transgressions. Some of such Sacred Murtis include the following: Sadarshana Hara nearby a Place called Chakra Swami; Swayambhuva as installed by Vahni Deva /Agni; Pingaleshwara, Bindunaadeshwara, Bhadreshwara Deva, Chandreshwara together with Jyeshthesha; Vaalakhilyeshwara, Hari, Keshavesha, Samesha, Dhaumesha, Varuneshwara, Chakreshwara along with Suchandresha, Kashyapesha, Vilohita, Kamesha with Vasishthesha; Bhutesha together with Ganeshwara; Suryeshwara, Bhashmesha with Vimaleshwara, Himalayesha, Shankhesha Deva, Vaivishweshwara, Maha Nandeswara, Shubha, Varada, Kashyapeshwara, Rajeshwara, Nrisimhesha, Bhavesha, Dhanadeshwara! King Gonanda! These and innumerable other manifestations of Bhuteshwara Hari are always ever-present in the Kashmira Region of Bharata Varsha)!
Kashmira Raja! May Nandeshwara who is always present with Maha Deva as an inseparable Entity provide the best of blessings to the Kashmiras as he too is ever compassionate and forgiving as Maha Deva himself!