This is the traditional belief of every Indian, every Hindu

रेवातीरे तपस्तप्येत् पिण्डं दद्यात् गयाशिरे।

दानं दद्यात् कुरुक्षेत्रे मरणं जाह्नवीतटे॥

स्कान्द पुराणे

revātīre tapastapyeta piṇḍaṁ dadyāt gayāśire|

dānaṁ dadyāt kurukṣetre maraṇaṁ jāhnavītaṭe||

skaanda puraanam

This is the traditional belief of every Indian, every Hindu

The ideal place for doing penance, performing austerities and find peace in life, is the banks of River Narmada the Reva

The most appropriate piece of land where ceremonial cakes made of grains (Pindam) should be offered to the departed souls is Gaya ( In the presence of Vishnupada and Akshyavata)

The terrain most suited for offering gifts to leaned persons, elders and the needy is Kurukshetra

and

The most sacred place for a person to die is the banks of Jahnavi the Ganga

रेवा तीरे in the banks of River Reva or Narmada तपः तप्येत् one should do penance and perform austerities गयाशिरे in the hilly terrains of Gaya पिण्डं दद्यात् one should offer ceremonial rice cakes to the departed elders कुरुक्षेत्रे in the terrain of Kurukshetra दानं दद्यात् gifts should be offered मरणं death जाह्नवी तटे in the banks of Jahnavee, the Ganga भूयात् should happen

രേവാതീരേ തപസ്തപ്യേത പിണ്ഡം ദദ്യാത് ഗയാശിരേ।

ദാനം ദദ്യാത് കുരുക്ഷേത്രേ മരണം ജാഹ്നവീതടേ॥
സ്കാന്ദപുരാണം

പാവനങ്ങളും മനുഷ്യ ജന്മത്തിനു ധന്യത നല്‍കുന്നവയും ആയ  പുണ്യസ്ഥലങ്ങളെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള ഭാരതീയ സങ്കല്‍പം

രേവയെന്ന നര്‍മ്മദയുടെ തീരത്ത് തപസ്സിരിക്കുക .

ഗയയില്‍ ഗയയിലെ വിഷ്ണുപാദത്തിന്റെയും അക്ഷയ വടത്തിന്‍റെയും മുന്നില്‍ മറഞ്ഞു പോയ പിതൃക്കള്‍ക്ക് പിണ്ഡം അര്‍പ്പിക്കുക

ധര്‍മ്മത്തിന്‍റെ വിളനിലമായ കുരുക്ഷേത്രം സന്ദര്‍ശിച്ചു ആ ഭൂമിയില്‍ നിന്നുകൊണ്ട് ദാനധര്‍മ്മങ്ങള്‍ ചെയ്യുക

അവസാനം

ജാഹ്നവിയായ ഗംഗയുടെ തീരങ്ങളില്‍ ജീവിച്ചു പ്രാണന്‍ വെടിയുക

ganga, Kaveri

 

गङ्गा गङ्गेति यो ब्रूयात योजनानां शतैरपि मुच्यन्ति सर्वपापेभ्यः शिवलोकं स गच्छति

If one just calls out Ganga, Ganga- from a distance of thousands of miles away from where that mother river flows , he is relieved of all sins and he goes to the abode of Lord Shiva.

त्रिरात्रं जाह्नवी तीरे पञ्चरात्रं तो यामुने सद्यः पुनातु कावेरी पापं आमरणान्तिकं

Kaveri, you make me pure of all my sins till my death just by one bath in you, even as I have to spend three nights in the banks of Ganga and five nights in the banks of Yamuna..

The Pavamana Suktham, we chant in Punyahavachanam is for invoking the holy waters in any spring of source of water. All the holy rivers and teertham just appear in the water we keep before us by the grace of the Divine being.

visveswara varanasi and ganga

कलौ विश्वेश्वरो देवः कलौ वाराणसी पुरी।

कलौ भागीरथी गङ्गा दानं कलियुगे महत्॥

सत्यज्ञानानन्द तीर्थः काशीस्तोत्रे॥

kalau viśveśvaro devaḥ kalau varāṇasī purī|

kalau bhāgīrathī gaṅgā dānaṁ kaliyuge mahat||

satyajñānānanda tirthaḥ kāśīstotre||

In the age of Kali the God that can protest us best is Lord Vishveshvara

In the age of Kali the city best and safe for our living is VaraaNasii

In the age of Kali the holiest river is Ganga the Bhaagirathi

And

In the age of Kali the supree act of virtue is helping others through gifts.

കലൌ വിശ്വേശ്വരോ ദേവഃ കലൌ വാരാണസീ പുരീ।

കലൌ ഭാഗീരഥീ ഗങ്ഗാ ദാനം കലിയുഗേ മഹത്॥

സത്യജ്ഞാനാനന്ദ തിര്‍ഥഃ കാശീസ്തോത്രേ॥

കലിയുഗത്തില്‍ നമ്മെ രക്ഷിക്കാന്‍ കഴിവുള്ള ദേവന്‍ ഭഗവാന്‍ വിശ്വശ്വരന്‍ ആണ്

കലിയുഗത്തില്‍ നമുക്ക് സുരക്ഷിതമായി താമസിക്കാന്‍ പറ്റുന്ന നഗരം വാരാണസിയാണ്

കലിയുഗത്തില്‍ ഏറ്റവും പുണ്യവും പരിശുദ്ധിയും നല്‍കുന്ന നദി ഗംഗാ ഭാഗീരഥി ആണ്

കലിയുഗത്തില്‍ നമുക്ക് ചെയ്യാന്‍ കഴിയുന്ന ഏറ്റവും മഹത്തായ പുണ്യകര്‍മ്മം ദാനമാണ്.

जाह्नवीतीरसंभूतां मृदं मूर्ध्ना बिभर्ति यः

जाह्नवीतीरसंभूतां मृदं मूर्ध्ना बिभर्ति यः।

बिभर्ति रूपं सोऽर्कस्य तमोनाशाय निर्मलम्॥

जाह्नवीपुलिनोत्थापि सिकताभिः समुक्षितम्।

आत्मानं मन्यते लोको दिविष्ठमिव शोभितम्॥ महाभारते

jāhnavītīrasaṁbhūtāṁ mṛdaṁ mūrdhnā bibharti yaḥ|

bibharti rūpaṁ so'rkasya tamosnāśāya nirmalam||

jāhnavīpulinotthāpi sikatābhiḥ samukṣitam|

ātmānaṁ manyate loko diviṣṭhamiva śobhitam|| mahābhārate

When a person wears on his head the mud available in the banks of Jaahnavi the Ganga, then his form transforms into a pure and flawless shape like that of the remover of Darkness, Sun himself.

When the dust and sand arising in the banks of Jahnavi the Ganga covers the body of a person he would develop the feel that he has transcended himself into a shining Divine being.

In praise of Holy Places and rivers

In praise of Holy Places and rivers

In all temples in Tamilndau, and in temples following the Tamil system of Agamas, after the formal pooja, especially on festival days, the scholars and devotees, stand before the deity in reverence and after presenting their respects,
recite the glory of the Vedas, Puranas, Itihasas and also describe the greatness of various landmarks and holy places all over Bharatha Varsha.
The deity is addressed as
देवदेवोत्तमा देवता सार्वभौम अखिलाण्डकोटि ब्रह्माण्डनायक
devadevottama devataa saarvabhauma akhilaandakoti brahmaada naayaka.
the lord of lords, the leader among gods like the emperor having control over the whole brahmanda or universe
( If the presiding deity is Mother, then the female gender is used in addressing Her)
॥कुम्भकोणमाहात्म्यम्॥
यो नरः कुम्भ्कोणेस्मिन् क्षणार्धमतितिष्ठति
करस्थं तस्य कैवल्यं किमुतान्या विभूतयः॥
|kumbhakoṇamāhātmyam||
yo naraḥ kumbhkoṇesmin kṣaṇārdhamatitiṣṭhati
karasthaṁ tasya kaivalyaṁ kimutānyā vibhūtayaḥ||

The greatness of Kumbhakonam

If it so happens that a person stays in Kumbhakonam even for half a second, all divine grace and accomplishments would be withing his grasp.. What to talk of other worthy things he can attain.?

॥कावेरीमाहत्म्यम्॥
कावेरीतोयमाश्रित्य वातो यत्र प्रवर्तते।
तद्देशवासिनां मुक्तिः कुमुतः तीरवासिनाम्॥
|kāverīmāhatmyam||
kāverītoyamāśritya vāto yatra pravartate|
taddeśavāsināṁ muktiḥ kumutaḥ tīravāsinām||

the greatness of Kaveri
When the wind that has crossed the banks of River Kaveri passes through the villages in the landscape, all the people who are embraced by that wind get liberated from all sins and attain emancipation or Moksham..

And if that is so have we to speak anything about those who live in the banks of Kaveri.. ?
They are ever emancipated..

॥गङ्गामाहात्म्यम्॥
गङ्गा गङ्गेति यो ब्रूयात् योजनानां शतैरपि।
मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यः रुद्रलोकं स गच्छति।
||gaṅgāmāhātmyam||
gaṅgā gaṅgeti yo brūyāt yojanānāṁ śatairapi|
mucyate sarvapāpebhyaḥ rudralokaṁ sa gacchati|

Greatness of River Ganga
If a person repeats the word Ganga, Ganga, even thousands of miles away from where Ganga flows, he is relieved of all sins, and he would reach the abode of Shiva the Rudra in the afterlife.

॥काशीमाहत्म्यम्॥
|kāśīmāhatmyam||

अहं काशीं गमिष्यामि तत्रैव निवसाम्यहम्।
इति ब्रुवाणः सततं काशीवासफलं लभेत्॥
ahaṁ kāśīṁ gamiṣyāmi tatraiva nivasāmyaham|
iti bruvāṇaḥ satataṁ kāśīvāsaphalaṁ labhet||

The greatness of Kashi.. the Varanasi

Those who always talk with great sincerity that they want to go to Kashi and that they would live there alone, would attain all the merits of the one lucky man who really stays in Kashi.

॥हालास्यमाहात्म्यम्॥
हालास्यनाथाय महेश्वराय हालाहलालङ्कृतकन्धराय।
मीनेक्षिणायाः पतये शिवाय नमो नमः सुन्दरताण्डवाय॥
|ālāsyamāhātmyam||
hālāsyanāthāya maheśvarāya hālāhalālaṅkṛtakandharāya|
mīnekṣiṇāyāḥ pataye śivāya namo namaḥ sundaratāṇḍavāya||

Greatness of Halasya.. the Lord of Madurai

Pranams to that attractive dancer of Tandava style, Shiva the lord of the damsel with eyes as vibrant as a pair of fish.. Meenakshi.. who is the master of Halasya.. and also the wonderful Lasya dance, who is adorned with the dark hue of the Poison Halahalam in His neck.. and who is Maheswara.. the Lord of all Gods.

॥चिदंबरमाहत्म्यम्॥
कृपासमुद्रं सुमुखं त्रिणेत्रं जटाधरं पार्वतिवामभागम्।
सदाशिवं रुद्रमनन्तरूपं चिदंबरेशं हृदि भावयामि॥
|hidaṁbaramāhatmyam||
kṛpāsamudraṁ sumukhaṁ triṇetraṁ jaṭādharaṁ pārvativāmabhāgam|
sadāśivaṁ rudramanantarūpaṁ cidaṁbareśaṁ hṛdi bhāvayāmi||

Greatness of Chidambaram
I meditate at the core of my heart the Lord of Chidambara who is a veritable ocean of mercy, who is of attarctive demeanour, who is having three eyes, who sports matted locks, who is having Uma Parvathy on his left, who is the epitome of eternal peace.. Sadashiva, who is Rudra, who is of universal.. and just having a form pervading eternity.

॥वेङ्कटेशमाहात्म्यम्॥
वेङ्कटाद्रि समं स्थानं ब्रह्माण्डे नास्ति किंचन।
वेङ्कटेश समो देवो न भूतो न भविष्यति॥
||veṅkaṭeśamāhātmyam||
veṅkaṭādri samaṁ sthānaṁ brahmāṇḍe nāsti kiṁcana|
veṅkaṭeśa samo devo na bhūto na bhaviṣyati||

Greatness of Venkatadri.. the abode of Lord Venkatesha the Balaji
There is no holy place on the face of this earth that would match Venkatadri in glory, and there lives Lord Venkatesha for whom there was no equal before Him and for whom there can be any comparison in future too.

॥सेतुमाहात्म्यम्॥
रघुवीरपदन्यास पवित्रीकृत पांसवे।
दशकण्ठशिरच्छेद हेतवे सेतवे नमः॥
||setumāhātmyam||
raghuvīrapadanyāsa pavitrīkṛta pāṁsave|
daśakaṇṭhaśiraccheda hetave setave namaḥ||
Greatness of Sethu..
Pranams to the hallowed shore of Sethu.. which was purified by the dust flowing from the holy feet of the bravest of the Raghus.. Rama Himsel.. Pranams to Sethu who played a vital role in the beheading and annihilation of the ten headed Raskhasa.. the Ravana.

॥काञ्चीमाहत्म्यम्॥
सदा परिमलोल्लास वासितम् पल्लवोपमम्।
मुखं वरदराजस्य मन्दस्मितमुपस्महे॥
|kāñcīmāhatmyam||
sadā parimalollāsa vāsitam pallavopamam|
mukhaṁ varadarājasya mandasmitamupasmahe||

The Glory of Kanchi
We worship with great affection the sweet smile of Varadaraja of Kanchi.. the smile emanating from His face which is as tender as a fresh sprouting leaf, which exudes fragrnce and enthusiasm and divine beauty for ever and ever..

॥अहोबिलमाहात्म्यम्॥
अहोवीर्यमहो शौर्यं अहोबाहुपराक्रमं।
नारसिंहं परं शौर्यं अहोबिलं अहोबिलं॥
|'hobilamāhātmyam||
ahovīryamaho śauryaṁ ahobāhuparākramaṁ|
nārasiṁhaṁ paraṁ śauryaṁ ahobilaṁ ahobilaṁ||

Greatness of Ahobilam.. the abode of Narasimha

Wonderful is the strength and vigour of His
Wonderful is the power and dexterity of his pair of hands
Wonderful is His valour.. the valour of the man and the lion
Wonderful is the cave abode.. Ahobilam.. wonderful indeed.

॥मध्यार्जुनमाहात्म्यम्॥
शौर्येण वा शङ्करसेवया वा शातोदरी सङ्गमवाञ्चया वा।
भूताः वसित्वा पुनरेकरात्रं मध्यार्जुने नास्ति शरीरबन्धः॥
|ṁadhyārjunamāhātmyam||
cauryeṇa vā śaṅkarasevayā vā śātodarī saṅgamavāñcayā vā|
bhūtāḥ vasitvā punarekarātraṁ madhyārjune nāsti śarīrabandhaḥ||

The glory of Madhyarjua.. the Shiva temple of Tiruvidaimaruthur
( It was here that Indra took refuge in the abode of Shiva to escape the attack of Brahmahatya in the form of a devil.. because Indra killed the brahmin Vritra..and Vishvaroopa too.. The devil is not able to enter the temple because of the power of Lord Shiva.. So the devil waited near a gopuram.. after chasing Indra.. And Indra just worshpped the god and left the temple through another gate.. It is believed that all sorts of physical servitued or imprisonments or captivity would end once we go to this temple.. )

Whether by sacrificing one's life in battle, or by serving Lord Shiva with a sincere heart, or by desiring the confluence of the Shatodari (Kaveri River), whoever resides in the Madhyarjuna region for even one night, is no longer bound by the body

॥वैत्तीश्वरमाहात्म्यम्॥
बालांबिकेश वैद्येश भवरोगहरेति च।
जपन्नामत्रयं नित्यं महारोगनिवारणम्॥
||vaittīśvaramāhātmyam||
bālāṁbikeśa vaidyeśa bhavarogahareti ca|
japannāmatrayaṁ nityaṁ mahāroganivāraṇam||

Greatness of Vaitheeswaran Koil

If we chant the three names.. Vaidyesa..( vaitheeswara..vaidyanatha), Balambikesha.. the consort of Balambika.. Bhavarogahara (remover of all worldly illness) we would be relieved of all illness.

॥पञ्चनदमाहात्म्यम्॥
पञ्चापकेश वैद्येश भवरोगहरेति च।
जपेन्नामत्रयं नित्यं पुनर्जनम् न विद्यते।
|pañcanadamāhātmyam||
pañcāpakeśa vaidyeśa bhavarogahareti ca|
japennāmatrayaṁ nityaṁ punarjanam na vidyate|

Greatness of Panchanada
If we recite the three names Panchapakesha, ( who wears five hole waters in his head) Vaidyesha.. ( the lord of Doctors) and Bhavarogahara( remover of all illnes) we would be blessed with ultimate emancipation from rebirths.

॥तुलसीमाहात्म्यम्॥
यन्मूले सर्वतीर्थानि यन्मध्ये सर्वदेवताः।
यदग्रे सर्ववेदाश्च तुलसीं तां नमाम्यहम्॥
||tulasīmāhātmyam||
yanmūle sarvatīrthāni yanmadhye sarvadevatāḥ|
yadagre sarvavedāśca tulasīṁ tāṁ namāmyaham||

The greatness of Thulas

I prostrate before the Goddes in the shape of Thulasi plant
Whose root is the abode of all holy waters of pilgrimage
Whose stem houses all the Gods
And the tips of whose leaves house the four vedas

॥बिल्वमाहात्म्यम्॥
त्रिदलं त्रिगुणाकारं त्रिणेत्रं च त्रयायुधम्।
त्रिजन्मपाप संहारं एकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम्॥
||bilvamāhātmyam||
tridalaṁ triguṇākāraṁ triṇetraṁ ca trayāyudham|
trijanmapāpa saṁhāraṁ ekabilvaṁ śivārpaṇam||

The glory of Bilvam
I offer with great respect at the feet of Lord Shiva a leaf of Bilvam
Which is having three petals
Which embodies the three gunas Satva, Raja and Tamas
Which has three eyes or is found in the shape of the three eyes of the lord
Which represent the Trident.. the triple headed spear of Shiva
Which is capable of annihilating all my sins incurred during my three lives.

॥एकादशी माहात्म्यम्॥
शुद्धं भागवतस्यान्नं शुद्धं भागीरथीजलम्।
शुद्धं विष्णुपदध्यानं शुद्धं एकादशिव्रतम्॥
||ekādaśī māhātmyam||
śuddhaṁ bhāgavatasyānnaṁ śuddhaṁ bhāgīrathījalam|
śuddhaṁ viṣṇupadadhyānaṁ śuddhaṁ ekādaśivratam||

The glory of Ekadashi

Ekadahsi occurs two times a month.. the eleventh day in the new moon cycle and the eleventh day in the full moon cycle.. The day is considered very dear to Lord Vishnu
Purest of the pure is the food shared with a devotee of the Lord, the Bhagavata
Purest of the pure is the holy waters of Bhageerathi, the Ganga
Purest of the pure is the holy action of meditation upon the holy pair of feet of Lord Vishnu
And
Purest of the pure is the fast and worship undertaken on and in connection with Ekadashi.

the slokas in Malayalam
॥കുംഭകോണമാഹാത്മ്യം॥
യോ നരഃ കുംഭ്കോണേസ്മിന്‍ ക്ഷണാര്‍ധമതിതിഷ്ഠതി
കരസ്ഥം തസ്യ കൈവല്യം കിമുതാന്യാ വിഭൂതയഃ॥

॥കാവേരീമാഹത്മ്യം॥
കാവേരീതോയമാശ്രിത്യ വാതോ യത്ര പ്രവര്‍ത്തതേ।
തദ്ദേശവാസിനാം മുക്തിഃ കിമുതഃ തീരവാസിനാം॥

॥ഗംഗാമാഹാത്മ്യം॥
ഗംഗാ ഗംഗേതി യോ ബ്രൂയാത് യോജനാനാം ശതൈരപി।
മുച്യതേ സര്‍വ്വപാപേഭ്യഃ രുദ്രലോകം സ ഗച്ഛതി।

॥കാശീമാഹത്മ്യം॥

അഹം കാശീം ഗമിഷ്യാമി തത്രൈവ നിവസാമ്യഹം।
ഇതി ബ്രുവാണഃ സതതം കാശീവാസഫലം ലഭേത്॥

॥ഹാലാസ്യമാഹാത്മ്യം॥
ഹാലാസ്യനാഥായ മഹേശ്വരായ ഹാലാഹലാലങ്കൃതകന്ധരായ।
മീനേക്ഷിണായാഃ പതയേ ശിവായ നമോ നമഃ സുന്ദരതാണ്ഡവായ॥

॥ചിദംബരമാഹത്മ്യം॥
കൃപാസമുദ്രം സുമുഖം ത്രിണേത്രം ജടാധരം പാര്‍വ്വതിവാമഭാഗം।
സദാശിവം രുദ്രമനന്തരൂപം ചിദംബരേശം ഹൃദി ഭാവയാമി॥

॥വേങ്കടേശമാഹാത്മ്യം॥
വേങ്കടാദ്രി സമം സ്ഥാനം ബ്രഹ്മാണ്ഡേ നാസ്തി കിംചന।
വേങ്കടേശ സമോ ദേവോ ന ഭൂതോ ന ഭവിഷ്യതി॥

॥സേതുമാഹാത്മ്യം॥
രഘുവീരപദന്യാസ പവിത്രീകൃത പാംസവേ।
ദശകണ്ഠശിരച്ഛേദ ഹേതവേ സേതവേ നമഃ॥

॥കാഞ്ചീമാഹത്മ്യം॥
സദാ പരിമളോല്ലാസ വാസിതം പല്ലവോപമം।
മുഖം വരദരാജസ്യ മന്ദസ്മിതമുപസ്മഹേ॥

॥അഹോബിലമാഹാത്മ്യം॥
അഹോവീര്യമഹോ ശൌര്യം അഹോബാഹുപരാക്രമം।
നാരസിംഹം പരം ശൌര്യം അഹോബിലം അഹോബിലം॥

॥മധ്യാര്‍ജ്ജുനമാഹാത്മ്യം॥
ശൌര്യേണ വാ ശങ്കരസേവയാ വാ ശാതോദരീ സങ്ഗമവാഞ്ചയാ വാ।
ഭൂതാഃ വസിത്വാ പുനരേകരാത്രം മധ്യാര്‍ജ്ജുനേ നാസ്തി ശരീരബന്ധഃ॥

॥വൈത്തീശ്വരമാഹാത്മ്യം॥
ബാലാംബികേശ വൈദ്യേശ ഭവരോഗഹരേതി ച।
ജപന്നാമത്രയം നിത്യം മഹാരോഗനിവാരണം॥

॥പഞ്ചനദമാഹാത്മ്യം॥
പഞ്ചാപകേശ വൈദ്യേശ ഭവരോഗഹരേതി ച।
ജപേന്നാമത്രയം നിത്യം പുനര്‍ജന്‍മ ന വിദ്യതേ।

॥തുളസീമാഹാത്മ്യം॥
യന്മൂലേ സര്‍വ്വതീര്‍ഥാനി യന്മധ്യേ സര്‍വ്വദേവതാഃ।
യദഗ്രേ സര്‍വ്വവേദാശ്ച തുളസീം താം നമാമ്യഹം॥

॥ബില്വമാഹാത്മ്യം॥
ത്രിദളം ത്രിഗുണാകാരം ത്രിണേത്രം ച ത്രയായുധം।
ത്രിജന്മപാപ സംഹാരം ഏകബില്വം ശിവാര്‍പ്പണം॥

॥ഏകാദശീ മാഹാത്മ്യം॥
ശുദ്ധം ഭാഗവതസ്യാന്നം ശുദ്ധം ഭാഗീരഥീജലം।
ശുദ്ധം വിഷ്ണുപദധ്യാനം ശുദ്ധം ഏകാദശിവ്രതം।

Pranams to you mother Ganga..

Pranams to you mother Ganga..

विष्णोः सङ्गतिकारिणी हरजटाजूटाटवी चारिणी

प्रायश्चित्तनिवारिणी जलकणैः पुण्यौधविस्तारिणी।

भूबृत्कन्दरदारिणि निजजले मज्जज्जनोत्तरिणी

श्रेयः स्वर्गविहारिणि विजयते गङ्गा मनोहारिणी॥

viṣṇoḥ saṅgatikāriṇī harajaṭājūṭāṭavī cāriṇī

prāyaścittanivāriṇī jalakaṇaiḥ puṇyaudhavistāriṇī|

bhūbṛtkandaradāriṇi nijajale majjajjanottariṇī

śreyaḥ svargavihāriṇi vijayate gaṅgā manohāriṇī||

This is from Ganga Ashtakam attributed to Mahakavi Kalidasa

Meaning.. 

May you be ever victorious, you the Damsel captivating all minds, 

Ganga.. you, originate from the feet of Vishnu and therefore when we touch you, we touch His lotus feet

Ganga.. you are flowing towards the thick matted locks of Shankara the Hara

Ganga, you wash off all our sins and therefore put a stop for all other expiation or prayaschittams|

Ganga, you multiply the Punya of all those who come in contact with you, by sprinkling them with your cool, sacred, soothing droplet of water 

Ganga, you wear on your ample bosom affectionately the crowned heads of emperors and monarchs who come crowding to your presence to take dip in your holy waters

Ganga, you wash away the sins of all people who take dip in your waters and elevate them to states of eternal happiness 

Ganga, your repute is spreading all over the heaven

Victory for you, Mother Ganga..

eternally blessed ..

असारभूते संसारे सारमेतत्चतुष्टयः।

काशीवासः सतां सङ्गः गङ्गांभः शंभुपूजनं॥ 

asārabhūte saṁsāre sārametatcatuṣṭayaḥ| 

kāśīvāsaḥ satāṁ saṅgaḥ gaṅgāṁbhaḥ śaṁbhupūjanaṁ|| 

The life on this earth is so empty and frustrating.. 

But four things can impart vitality and meaning to the human life which is otherwise of little value. 

They are 

1.. Stay in the city of Kaashi, the abode of the master of the world 

2. Remaining always in the company of noble souls... satsang 

3. Being blessed with the holy waters of Ganga 

and 

4. Having the fortune to worship Lord Shambu the Maheshwara.. 

Usually those who happen to live in the city of Kashi become fortunate to have the other three also.. 

Indeed, they are blessed million times..

അസാരഭൂതേ സംസാരേ സാരമേതത്ചതുഷ്ടയഃ।
കാശീവാസഃ സതാം  സംഗഃ  ഗംഗാംഭഃ ശംഭുപൂജനം॥

ഒരു എത്തും പിടിയും കിട്ടാത്ത അതീവ ദുഷ്കരമായ ഈ ഭൂമിയിലെ ജീവിതത്തില്‍ ഏറ്റവും അര്‍ത്ഥവത്തും അനുഗ്രഹപ്രദവുമായ നാല് കാര്യങ്ങള്‍

1 ലോകനാഥനായ വിശ്വനാഥന്‍റെ തട്ടകമായ കാശിയില്‍ ജീവിക്കുക
2. മനസ്സുകൊണ്ടും വാക്കുകൊണ്ടും ശരീരം കൊണ്ടും നന്മ മാത്രം കരുതുന്ന, നന്മ മാത്രം ചെയ്യുന്ന  മഹത്തുക്കളുമായുള്ള സത്സംഗം
3 ഗംഗാ മാതാവിന്റെ തീര്‍ത്ഥം നുകരാനുള്ള പുണ്യം
പിന്നെ
4.  ഭഗവാന്‍ ശംഭുവിനെ പൂജചെയ്യുവാനുള്ള ഭാഗ്യം.

കാശിയില്‍ ജീവിക്കാന്‍ സാധിക്കുന്നവര്‍ക്ക് മറ്റു മൂന്നു കാര്യങ്ങളും വളരെ സുലഭാമാണല്ലോ

Analogy between thought process and data on a disk

The basic idea in deleting a data is only removing its header address.Unless and until a new data is taking over the incapacitated area, the old data remains there sleeping. Then the individuals receptacles that keep the zero and one signals are too accommodating and make the first set of data quiescent and another set of data which is having address and is recognizable becomes prominent. It is only because such units have sufficient space where some sort of cell is charged with a small unit or electricity or is kept not charged. So the medium is already there. The charging or discharging of the elements of the disk only takes place. and the electron is infinitesimally small so also the positive charged particle. When the disc is formatted a huge surge of current makes the entire disc blank. Even this can be done by going through the process about 19 times. So the memory signals actually go nowhere. They are just siiting in the background. If the thought process is retrieved through some means the whole thing comes back again. The deleted data does never vanish fully. The sum and substance of this analogy is that one thought, once created does not die away.. It is only living concealed. That is why we use mantras with auto suggestion, like Gayatri. To force in positive thoughts. While describing about the spontaneous study process of child Uma parvathi in the house of Himavan, Kalidasa said..

 तां हंसमालाः शरदीव गङ्गां
महौषधीं नक्तमिवात्मभासः।
स्थिरोपदेशामुपदेशकाले
प्रपेदिरे प्राक्तनजन्मविद्याः॥
काळिदासः कुमारसंभवे

Taam Hamsamaalaa shardeevaa gangaam,
 mahaushadiim nakthamivaatmabhaasaH, 
 sthiropadesaam upadeshakaale prapedirre 
praakthana janmavidhyaaH.. 
for her, like the crowd of swans reaching ganga spontaneously in the sharat season, like inherest glow visiting the herbs at night, when she was advised, the knowledge and education of earlier life (of Dakshayani Sati) came back spontaneously. Such comeback was caused by the fact that originall thoughts never fade away, unless erased through sterile means.

chandrakalabham chaarthiyurangum

ചന്ദ്രകളഭം ചാര്‍ത്തിയുറങ്ങും തീരം
ഇന്ദ്രധനുസ്സിന്‍ തൂവല്‍ പൊഴിയും തീരം
ഈ മനോഹരതീരത്തു തരുമോ
ഇനിയൊരു ജന്മം കൂടി
എനിക്കിനിയൊരുജന്മം കൂടി

ഈവര്‍ണ്ണസുരഭിയാം ഭൂമിയിലല്ലാതെ
കാമുകഹൃദയങ്ങളുണ്ടോ?
സന്ധ്യകളുണ്ടോ ചന്ദ്രികയുണ്ടോ
ഗന്ധര്‍വഗീതമുണ്ടോ?
വസുന്ധരേ വസുന്ധരേ...
കൊതിതീരും വരെ ഇവിടെ പ്രേമിച്ചു മരിച്ചവരുണ്ടോ?
(ചന്ദ്രകളഭം ....)

ഈ നിത്യഹരിതയാം ഭൂമിയിലല്ലാതെ
മാനസസരസ്സുകളുണ്ടോ?
സ്വപ്നങ്ങളുണ്ടോ പുഷ്പങ്ങളുണ്ടോ
സ്വര്‍ണ്ണമരാളങ്ങളുണ്ടോ?
വസുന്ധരേ വസുന്ധരേ.....മതിയാകും വരെ
ഇവിടെ ജീവിച്ചു മരിച്ചവരുണ്ടോ?
(ചന്ദ്രകളഭം ...)
the immortal poetry of Vayalar Ramavarma

The beaches that are lullabied  to sleep covered by the sandal paste of the cool rays of the moon, 

The beaches where the feathers from the bow of Indra (the rainbow) are shed,

Oh, the power that be,
will you please give me another chance to live in this beautiful landscape..
assuming yet another life?

Can there exist the romantic hearts of lovers anywhere other than on this colourful and fragrant earth? 

Can there be sweet dusks,
soothing rays of the moon
and the songs of singers equalling the gandharvas
 anywhere other than on this earth? 

 Oh earth, who carry on your bosom all the wealth and greenery of life,
 is there anyone living  on your surface 

who has loved to his hearts content

 before departing from  you to go to  the abode of death?

Can there exist anywhere other than on this earth which is ever lush in greenery, 

the Manasa saras of Ganga and sources of water so sweet?

Can there be sweet dreams, fragrant flowers and golden beetles? 

Is there anyone who has  lived on this earth and  has lived his life to his heart's content before taking leave of   you to go to  the abode of death?

Oh, the power that be, will you please give me another chance to live in this beautiful landscape..assuming yet another life?

 

Aghamarshana manthras.

Aghamarshana manthras.

हिरण्यशृङ्गं वरुणम् प्रपद्ये तीर्थं मे देहि याचितः।
यन्मया भुक्तमसाधूनाम् पापेभ्यश्च प्रतिग्रहः॥५५॥
यन्मे मनसा वाचा कर्मणा वा दुष्कृतम् कृतं
तन्न इन्द्रो वरुणो बृहस्पतिः सविता च पुनन्तु पुनः पुनः॥५६॥
नमोऽग्नयेऽप्सुमते नम इन्द्राय नमो वरुणाय नमो वारुण्यै नमोऽद्भ्यः॥५७॥
यदपां क्रूरम् यदमेध्यं यदशान्तं तदपगच्छतां॥५८॥
अत्याशनादतीपानात् यच्च उग्रात् प्रतिग्रहात्।
तन्मे वरुणो राजा पाणिना ह्यवमर्शतु॥५९॥
सोऽहमप्यपापो विरजो निर्मुक्तो मुक्तकिल्बिषः

नाकस्य पृष्टमारुह्य गच्छेत्ब्रह्मसलोकतां॥६०॥
यश्चप्सु वरुणः स पुनात्वघमर्षणः॥६१॥
इमम् मे गङ्गे यमुने सरस्वती शतुद्रि स्तोमग्ँ सचता परुष्णिया
असिक्निया मरुद्दृधे वितस्तयार्जीकीये शृणुह्या सुषोमया॥६२॥
तैत्तरीयारण्यके महानारायणोपनिषत्सु  प्रथमभागः
hiraNyashR^i~NgaM varuNam prapadye tiirthaM me dehi yaachitaH.
yanmayaa bhuktamasaadhuunaam paapebhyashcha pratigrahaH..55..
yanme manasaa vaachaa karmaNaa vaa duSkR^itam kR^itaM
tanna indro varuNo bR^ihaspatiH savitaa ch punantu punaH punaH..56..
namo.agnaye.apsumate nama indraaya namo varuNaaya namo vaaruNyai namo.adbhyaH..57..
yadapaaM kruuram yadamedhyaM yadashaantaM tadapagachchhataaM..58..
atyaashanaadatiipaanaat yachcha ugraat pratigrahaat.
tanme varuNo raajaa paaNinaa hyavamarshatu..59..
so.ahamapyapaapo virajo nirmukto muktakilbiSaH
naakasya pR^iSTamaaruhya gachched brahmasalokataaM..60..
yashchapsu varuNaH sa purtwghamarSanaH..61..
imam me ga~Nge yamune saraswatii shatudri stomag.N sachataa paruSNiyaa>
asikniyaa maruddR^idhe vitastayaarjiikiiye shR^iNuhyaa suSomayaa ..62..
taittariiyaaraNyake mahaanaaraayaNopaniSatsu  prathamabhaagaH

Our ancestors believed that the ultimate relief from sins can be delivered to us only by water.. They praised the various deities presiding over water and its sources and also the great rivers found in India at that time with a request the all their sins should be washed off, 
This is aghamarshana mantram.

"I take refuge in Varuna who is having the golden hue and who adorns a golden diadem.
 O Varuna, having been entreated by me please grant me the tiitham  (saving grace in the shape of holy waters)
 Let the waters purify me of the sin of enjoying the belongings of bad people and acceptance of gifts from sinners.
 May Indra, Varuna, Brihaspati and Savita completely destroy whatever sin my people or I have committed in thought word and action.
 My respectful salutation to the Badvaanala (The fire submerged in water), my salutations to Indra,  my salutations to Varuna, my salutations to Vaaruni, the consort of Varuna, and my salutations to all the deities of waters.
 May,  as a result of my this prayer and the power of this mantra, all that is injurious, impure and troublesome in water be destroyed.
  May the king Varuna efface by his benevolent and strong hand whatever sins I have incurred by unlawful and limitless eating, unlawful drinking and accepting gift from one who is not eligible to grant a gift, or which gift is given to me impelling me to perform an unlawful act.
 Thus being sinless,spotless,unbound from evil and bondage, may I become eligible to ascend the path of heaven and gain equal status with Brahman.
May Varuna the effacer of sins who dwells in all sources of water like ocean, rivers, tanks and wells  purify us.
O Ganga, O Yamuna, O Saraswati, O Sutudri, O Marudhwrudhaa, O Arjikiya, all of you mother rivers, come together to listen to this hymn of mine along with Parushni,  Asikni, Vitasta and Sushoma.."

--

vaidyo Narayano Hari

शरीरे जर्जरीभूते व्यIधिग्रस्ते कलेबरे

औषधं जाह्नवीतोयं वैद्यो नारायणो हरिः

śarīre jarjarībhūte vyadhigraste kalebare

auṣadaṁ jāhnavītoyaṁ vaidyo narāyṇo hariḥ

when the body is subjected to decay due to old age and all sorts of ailments attack it the only medicine is the holy waters of Ganga and the doctor is Lord Krishna, Hari, the Narayana. 

My beloved friends I see the embodiment of that Narayana in every one of you. I don't care if you call it hallucination but it is the ultimate truth for me.

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