Naimisharanya

 

NAIMISHARANYA

Naimisaranyam, also known as Neemsar, or Nimkhar, located in the state of Uttar Pradesh is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu. Naimishnath Devaraja temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu. Naimisharanya is old as time, according to a legend that prevails in the town. This place was offered to the sages and is the first and most sacred place of all who follow Sanathana Dharma. There are lot of stories that talk about the Mahatmyam/importance of this place.

It’s said that Lord Vishnu killed Durjaya and his gang of demons here

He killed Gayasura and cut his body into three parts with each part falling in Gaya, in Naimisharanya, and in Badrinath.

Naimishe-Animisha-kshetra or the abode of Lord Vishnu, who is also known as Animisha.

Satrupa and Swayambhuva Manu performed penance here

Lord Rama performed Ashwamedha yagna here

Ved Vyasa composed many of his works here.

Lord Indra was defeated by Vritrasura and following the advice of Lord Vishnu, Lord Indra went to sage Dadhichi to ask for his bones to fashion out a weapon to kill the asura. As a last wish Dadhichi wanted dip in all the holy rivers before dying. To fulfil his wish Indra directed all the water from the holy rivers onto Naimisharanya.

Srimad Bhagavatam was narrated here.

Pandavas and Lord Balarama, brother of Lord Krishna, visited this place.

Tulsidas is believed to have penned the Rama Charita Manas here

 

Narada was looking for the best Teertha across the 3 worlds visiting many places including the Kailash mountains Lord Shivas abode and the cosmic ocean, home of Lord Vishnu, finally reached the Theertha of the Naimisha forest, which he thought it was the most pious and purest place for worship considering that that the presiding deity was believed to have been worshipped by all the celestial deities.

Sanakadhi rishis approached Brahma asking him whether there was a way to reduce the problem that the Kaliyuga was foreseen to bring in. In Kaliyuga people are going to undergo lot of troubles, face disruptions, disturbances etc caused by the impact of Kali. Brahma rolled down a chakra and the Sanakadhi rishis followed it, and it burst open at this place. Nemi (part of the Chakra) aranya (forest) thus Naimisharanya. This was going to be the haven that would remain untouched by the malefic effects of Kali.

UNFOLDING OF THE BHAGAVATHA PURANAM

Sanakathi Rishis were gathered at Naimisharanya for a yagna that they were doing for the welfare of the people going into the Kaliyuga. And also organized a sathram where they all sat together and meditated and listen to different speakers/

At that time Sutha Rishi walked into the place and the rishis were all thrilled and happy to see him. Sutha literally means a charioteer, but here it means a storyteller. He was also known as Romaharsha, that means horripilation, meaning that he used to tell stories in such a way that people got goosebumps.  He was the son of Ugrasravas, who belonged to Veda Vyasa’s sishya parampara (student). Ugrasravas one of the many listeners who heard the Bhagavatha Parayanam directly from Suka Maharshi while he was explaining it to King Pareekshit. His son Romaharsha was a worthy son of this great Sage well-versed in the shastras. Romaharsha received blessings by Balarama too. Sanakathi Rishis welcomed him and paid due respect and offered him a seat. They asked him to share the knowledge his guru had imparted and had a load of questions for him.

How to eradicate Maya Moham?

How will we get Bhaktim, Gyanam, and Vairagyam

What or who is the greatest/Shreyaskaram

What or who is the most pure

How to get the ultimate shreyas and what is the one thing you should do

With Kali yuga with much disturbances around, with lots to learn and study, we can’t get it all

Give us the essence of all the shastras that will help the generations born in the kali yuga

We know of the avataars, what’s the subtle essence of the avataaras, there are many Leelavataaras and tell us about that, especially that of Sree Krishna avataara who was born to Vasudeva and Devaki, brother of Balarama. Dwaraka was depended on him when he left for his abode, who is their ashrayam?

 

Sage Sutha said that there was only one answer to all their questions “Srimad Bhagavatham” which was composed by Vyasa Bhagwan who taught it his son Suka Maharshi.

Sree Sukha Maharshi on the banks of the Holy River Ganga told and narrated Srimad Bhagavatham to King Pareekshit, who was cursed to die in 7 days. So, a Bhagavatha Sapthaham and Yagnam was conducted by Sree Sukha Maharshi to help King Pareekshit reach his higher self.

BHAGAVATHA SAPTHAHAM

Hearing is one of the ways (Sravan Vidhi) to start on this path, and it can be successful with Shradha (concentration) and Bhakthi (devotion). Blessing from the gurus and grace of Bhagwan are needed too. In our comfort zone we try to block out our minds from the material world, as our senses easily catch on their respective sensations; mind is often likened to a monkey brain. It’s a gyana yagna. We have an option to offer or not offer flowers, Karpooram etc. It’s up to us how we want to go about it. There is no wrong way of seeking Bhagwan. Share the good word with others, listen, and contemplate, Shravanam and Mananam.

Vyasa Deva reckons us to enjoy the fruit of the Kalpa Vruksha called the Bhagavatham, a fruit that you eat in its entirety and enjoy the Bhakta rasa that eradicates the Adhibhauthika, Adhidaiwatha, and Adhyatmika related issues by just listening (Shravanam).