on getting moksha : four shiva kshetras and carnatic music stalwarts

23
Page 1 of 23 On Getting Moksha Dear All: I came across this sloka about the various Shiva kshetrams in an article by the late Kanchi Paramacarya forwarded to me by a friend. (I was able to copy and paste the original article, which is entirely in Tamil, see end.) This sloka, cited by Kanchi Paramacarya in the context of a discussion on Carnatic music, also provides an interesting insight on what it takes to obtain moksha, one of the four primary goals of life or Purushaarthaas - dharma, artha, kama, and moksha. Darshanaat Abhra sadasi jananaat Kamalaalaye l Kashyaam tu maraNaan muktih smaraNaat Arunachale ll l ll A panoramic view of the famous Chidambaram temple, where Lord Shiva is seen as Nataraja. Among the kshetras it is known as the Akasha (or abhra) kshetra.

Upload: vlaxmanan

Post on 09-Sep-2014

140 views

Category:

Documents


2 download

DESCRIPTION

A Sanskrit sloka, cited by the late sage of Kanchi (also known as Kanchi Mahaperiyava, or Paramacarya), in a discussion of the unique place of Tamilnadu, as the birthplace of all three great Carnatic music stalwarts, is discussed here. The sloka describes how one can get moksha (liberation) easily by visiting the four holy places (kshetras) with world famous Shiva temples - Chidambaram, Kanchi, Kashi, and Tiruvarur, known for its annual chariot festival. It is also the birthplace of the three Carnatic music stalwarts (the saint Thyagaraja, Shyama Sastri and Muthuswami Deekshitar).

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 1 of 23

On Getting Moksha

Dear All:

I came across this sloka about the various Shiva kshetrams in an article by

the late Kanchi Paramacarya forwarded to me by a friend. (I was able to

copy and paste the original article, which is entirely in Tamil, see end.) This

sloka, cited by Kanchi Paramacarya in the context of a discussion on

Carnatic music, also provides an interesting insight on what it takes to

obtain moksha, one of the four primary goals of life – or Purushaarthaas -

dharma, artha, kama, and moksha.

Darshanaat Abhra sadasi jananaat Kamalaalaye l

Kashyaam tu maraNaan muktih smaraNaat Arunachale ll

l

ll

A panoramic view

of the famous

Chidambaram

temple, where Lord

Shiva is seen as

Nataraja. Among

the kshetras it is

known as the

Akasha (or abhra)

kshetra.

Page 2: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 2 of 23

This sloka mentions Chidambaram, Kashi, Arunachaleswara

(Thiruvannamalai) and finally Kamalalaya. The last is another name for the

holy city of Thiruvarur, which is known for its annual chariot festival. In fact,

when something or someone is moving very slowly and deliberately, it is

referred to (mockingly) as Thiruvaarur chariot. There is an ancient Shiva

temple in that city, which I visited for the first time in 2011. (BTW, it was sad

to see this ancient and historic temple in a greatly dilapidated state.)

This temple city is also renowned as being the birthplace of three great

Carnatic music stalwarts: The musical saint Thyagaraja, Muthuswamy

Dikshitar, and Shyama Sastri. ( birthplace of Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar

and Syama Sastri, popularly known as the Trinity of Carnatic music, see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiruvarur )

Tiruvarur Temple Chariot Festival 2010 Thiruvarur Temple Outer Praharam

Abhra refers to the sky, or Akasha. Chidambaram is known as the Akasha

kshetram. We come across this word also in the dhyanam sloka of VishNu

sahastranamam (shubraih abhrair adabrair upari viracitair mukta

peeyoosha varshaih). The five gross elements (panca boothas, sky, water,

fire, air, and earth) are represented, respectively, in the five Shiva

kshetrams of Chidambaram, Tiruvanaikkovil (on the other side of

Srirangam), Tiruvannamali, Kalahasti (near Tirupati) and Kanchipuram, see

following from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Srikalahasti_Temple

Page 3: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 3 of 23

Kalahasti is one of the five major Shiva temples (Pancha Bhoota Sthalam),

representing each of the five major elements - Wind. The five elements are,

1. Earth – Telugu: (bhoomi),Tamil: (Nilam) - Kanchipuram -

Ekambareswarar Temple

2. Water – Telugu: (Jalamu), Tamil: (Neer) - Thiruvanaikaval -

Jambukeswara Temple

3. Fire – Telugu: (Agni),Tamil: (Nerupu) - Tiruvannamalai -

Annamalaiyar Temple

4. Wind – Telugu: (Vaayuvu),Tamil: (Kaatru) - Srikalahasti

5. Sky – Telugu: (Akaasam), Tamil: (Vaan) - Chidambaram -

Chidambaram Temple

Nataraja with Vyaghrapada and Patanjali (left) and his consort Parvati (right)

Lord Nataraja at the Chitsabhai in Chidambaram. To the left of the Lord's idol is the Chidambara

Rahasya - represented by strands of gold Vilva leaves. To the right is the idol of His Consort

Goddess Sivagamasundari

One gets moksha just by having darshan (darshanaat, i.e., seeing or a

glimpse) of Lord Shiva in Chidambaram. It is the place where we see Lord

Page 4: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 4 of 23

Shiva as Nataraja, performing His cosmic dance which attracts all the

celestials. They all come to witness it. So, this place is called the great

assembly (sabha). In his article Kanchi Paramacarya also refers to the

Shree Rudram (3rd anuvakam) where we encounter Sabhaabhyah

Sabhaapatibhyash ca vo namo namo. The sabha here refers to the great

assembly of all the celestials to witness Lord Shiva cosmic dance at

Chidambaram and Sabhapati, of course, is Nataraja, the Lord of this Divine

Assembly. Hence, one will get moksha with just a glimpse of Lord Shiva in

Chidambaram.

Likewise, it is stated that one gets moksha if one dies (maraNaat) in Kashi.

During my very first visit to Kashi earlier this year (in Jan 2011), I remember

witnessing at least two bodies being carried away (they usually throw the

body into the Holy Ganga, in Kashi) for final rites. Blessed are such souls to

depart from this earth at Kashi.

And, one gets moksha just by remembering (smaraNaat) Arunachaleswara,

Lord Shiva as He appears in the Agni kshetra of Tiruvannamalai. The

annual Bharani deepam, or Annamalai deepam festival (in Nov-Dec each

year) attracts thousands of devotees to this holy Shiva kshetram. Blessed

are such devotees who can both see Lord Shiva there and remember him

too by recalling their visit and blessed also are those who can just

remember, even if they have never visited.

Finally, comes the fourth ksetram, Kamalaalaya, which means the abode

of Kamala. This refers to the holy temple at Tiruvaarur. Just being born

(jananaat) in this holy city grants one moksha, according to this sloka.

Within this ancient Shiva temple, there is a temple known as Kamalambal

temple. The Devi here is all three Goddesses of Hinduism Unified into one

(Ka-Kalaimagal meaning Saraswathi; Ma-Malaimagal meaning Parvathi

and La-Alaimagal meaning Lakshmi). Hence, KaMaLa + aalaya (abode) in

the above sloka. This Kamalambal temple is considered to be one of the 64

Shakti Peedams (see travelogue below).

Page 5: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 5 of 23

http://travel.bhushavali.com/2010/12/tiruvarur-temple-tour-part-iii.html

The three great stalwarts of Carnatic music, whose compositions are to be

found in Sanskrit and the three great Southern languages – Kannada,

Telugu, Tamil (although relatively few), were all born in Tiruvaarur.

In the article (see end), written by a young woman who came to see the

Kanchi Paramacarya, the sage recalls this sloka during their conversation.

She was a student of music and also had some artistic abilities. She had

prepared a sketch of the three musicians and took it with her to get the

blessings of Paramacarya. Her mother was planning a visit to Kanchi to

seek an audience with the sage. She asked this young woman to join her.

Much to her surprise, the sage saw the sketch of the three music stalwarts

and started speaking to this young woman and enquired about her studies.

He also pointed out an error made by her in how Muthuswamy Dikshitar

was depicted in the sketch and asked the young woman to correct it and

bring it back and show it to him during her next visit. (It has to do with how

the veena that Dikshitir used to play was depicted. The “yaali” of the veena,

see sketch, was depicted facing down. Dikshitir’s veena yalli was always

facing up. The veena was supposed to be a divine veena, a gift from

Gangadevi Herself.)

Page 6: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 6 of 23

http://www.angelfire.com/musicals/kallidaih

ari/dikshithar_profile.HTML

http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1ns1t/Vee

naBasics/resources/3.htm

http://www.hindu.com/fr/2011/04/15/stories/

2011041550550200.htm

During the conversation, the sage mentions

this sloka to bring about the greatness of

Tiruvaarur, the birthplace of the three music

stalwarts. Although their immortal

(Carnatic) musical works were in different

Southern languages, they were all born in

Tamilnadu, in this holy Shiva kshetram. So,

the Kanchi sage told her that Tamilnadu

can rightly take pride as being virtually the

birthplace of Carnatic music itself.

Interestingly, in the article, the young

woman mentions that she had gotten into a debate (or rather friendly

argument), with some fellow students in college on this exact point a few

days earlier and was upset about it. She was trying to convince her fellow

students about the unique place of Tamilnadu in the world of Carnatic

music. And, quite surprisingly, now the sage of Kanchi was pointing her to

an apparent resolution of this nagging point of the debate she had. (Do

read the original Tamil article; this is mainly about the sloka above!)

It is often noted that the sage of Kanchi was a real modern day seer and a

trikaala jnani (one who knows past, present, and future) and knew many

things through his divine vision. He would often confound those who visit

him with such “miracles”.

Parts of Saraswati Veena

Page 7: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 7 of 23

I can recall my own experience too in this regard. He did NOT speak to me

directly. He was observing a vow of silence at that time but looked at me

and accepted the invitations to the 60th birthday celebrations of one of my

father’s cousins (back in 1984). I was on my way to Kanchi and was asked

by the family to present the printed invitations (before they were mailed out)

to the sage and, following tradition, seek his blessings for the auspicious

once-in-a-lifetime event.

On that day, until I came up to him, he had held his head down and did not

even look at anyone. I observed this myself since there was a long line of

devotees waiting their turn. When I came to offer my obeisances, he

quickly lifted his head and looked straight at me, as if asking me to talk to

him. I presented what I had, did my namaskarams, and sought his

blessings for the 60th birthday celebrations of my father’s cousin.

I still remember the joy my father’s cousin and his family felt when I related

this story to them when I returned to Chennai (of the sage looking at me

and my speaking to him directly, his assistants were doing it for others who

wanted to convey messages they wanted the sage to hear). I also

remember they all told me that I made a very BIG mistake in what I did.

Page 8: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 8 of 23

My father’s cousin, in particular, rebuked me for not introducing myself

properly. He said that the sage knew my late grandfather (after whom I am

named) personally and told me that I should have mentioned that I was his

grandson. The reception I received might have been even more startling.

Needless to say, the trikaala jnani sage did NOT need any such reminder

from me. That is how I felt then, and even more so now, as I have grown

older! I was also told that just his glance was enough. The mere fact that he

lifted his head to look at me was enough.

Darshanaat abhra sadasi … that abhra sadas must have moved to

Kanchi at that moment! The blessings of that moment continue to this day.

Very sincerely

V. Laxmanan

Sep 29, 2011

Other internet references to this sloka:

http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/advaita-vedanta/145910-digest-

paramacharyas-discourses-unification-advaita-shaktism.html

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/advaitin/message/22406

Page 9: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 9 of 23

arunAchalA, or 'Hill of Wisdom', represents the Agni (Fire) tatvam in the pancha

bhUta sthalAs of Lord Shiva (places of worship where Lord Shiva manifested

Himself as one of the five elements). It was here that Lord Shiva resolved a dispute

between Brahma and Vishnu as to who was the superior one by appearing as a

column of light and then, in response to their prayers, manifested Himself as

Arunachala. The temple, one of the largest (25 acres) and oldest in all of South

India, is located in a town called Tiruvannamalai, 120 miles southwest of Chennai.

Many songs have been composed in praise of Lord Arunachala. Sri Muthuswami

Dikshitar, in his panchalinga krithis, has composed arunAchala nAtham in the

ragam sArangA. Here is a rendition of this song by the Hyderabad Brothers,

Seshachari and Raghavachari.

Page 10: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 10 of 23

It is said that there are three major pilgrimage methods to achieve liberation from the cycle

of life, death and rebirth. The first of these is by meditating within the Virupaksha Cave on

Mount Arunachala (where Sri Ramana Maharishi lived from 1899 to 1916 in solitude). The

second is by climbing to the top of Arunchala Hill's holy peak. The third method, adopted by

many, is the custom of Giri Valam or Giripradakshinam, which is circumambulating the base

of the Arunachala Hill.

Muthuswami Dikshitar - The Eternal Pilgrim

www.sangeethamshare.org/sunil/.../dIkshithar-life-Biography.doc

File Format: Microsoft Word - Quick View

The puranas have declared that birth at Tiruvarur, darshan of Chidambaram, thinking ..... 'smaraNAt

kaivalyaprada caraNAravindam' (the Lotus-Feet that bestow ...

Arunachaleshwara Temple

http://www.somasthyagaraja.com/2008_03_01_archive.html

"By seeing Chidambaram, by being born in Tiruvarur, by dying in Kasi, or by merely thinking of

Arunachala, one will surely attain Liberation."

- Arunachala Mahatmyam by Sri Ramana Maharishi

http://travel.sulekha.com/a-view-of-chidambaram-temples_chidambaram-

video-21408.htm

http://travel.sulekha.com/natarajar-temple_chidambaram-video-10817.htm

The song accompanying this video mentions the cosmic dance of Shiva.

Page 11: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 11 of 23

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6B9Qe89YEU&feature=player_detailpa

ge

Beautiful video about darshanam at Chidambaram

Amba chidambaraa naada nateshwari

Ambana kaadhali Devi sarveshwari |

Shambhu mohini Shantha dayaamani

Dhukkha bhedhinee Shoka nivaarini ||

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKIo3-2MNf8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JalH-kfDjRI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUGg29s0IQs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFhaPTtEDTs&feature=related

A view of Kashi

temples – Bank of

the Holy Ganga.

Steps (called ghats)

lead down to the

river and boats ferry

pilgrims up and down

and across the river

for the darshan and

the holy dip in the

Ganga (much more

convenient on the

other bank).

Page 12: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 12 of 23

http://www.shaivam.org/siddhanta/sp/spjyoti_vishvesh.htm

Kashi SHRI VISHWESHWAR (Varanasi)

sAnandamAnandavane vasanta mAnandakandaM hatapApavR^indam |

vArANasInAthamanAthanAthaM shrIvishvanAthaM sharaNaM prapadye ||

Location of Kashi Vishvanath Jyothirlinga

Where the Varana and Asi rivers join the Ganges, a beautiful city was built there in the ancient

times. It was named Varanasi. A tribe called kasha used to live. Therefore, Varanasi was also

known as Kashi. Near Kashi, Ganga flows in the shape of a bow. Hence it acquired special

importance. A king called Deivodas expanded this area. Varanasi is located in the state of Uttar

Pradesh, in the Gangetic plains.

Page 13: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 13 of 23

The 12 jyotirlinga temples

http://www.shaivam.org/siddhanta/sp/spjyoti.htm

There is an sanskrit shloka that lists the twelve jyotirlinga temples. (This and the

complete dvAdasa jyotirlinga stotra could be found at Scripture Page)

“Saurashtre Somanathamcha Srisaile Mallikarjunam|

Ujjayinya Mahakalam Omkaramamaleswaram ||

Paralyam Vaidyanathancha Dakinyam Bheema Shankaram |

Setu Bandhethu Ramesam, Nagesam Darukavane||

Varanasyantu Vishwesam Tryambakam Gautameethate|

Himalayetu Kedaaram, Ghrishnesamcha shivaalaye||

Etani jyotirlingani, Saayam Praatah Patennarah|

Sapta Janma Kritam pApam, Smaranena Vinashyati||”

Mahadev, the Lord incorporates in Himself, the aura and the holiness of all the

twelve JyotirLingas. The grandeur of these places is unique. Devotees line up in

great numbers to take a look and get a Darshan of all the JyotirLingas.

Location of the jyothirlinga temples

Two on the sea shore, three on river banks, four in the heights of the mountains

and three in villages located in meadows; the twelve Jyotirlingas are spread out

like this. Every place has been described in glorious words by many detailing the

surroundings etc.

Those of us who go to these temples of Shubhankar Shankar- Jyoti-Sivasthan,

receive the holy blessings of the Lord, and come back happy, peaceful and blessed.

This in indeed depends on one’s devotion and experience too. (3, 4, 7 to visit)

1. Somnath JyotirLing in Saurashtra (Guj) √

2. Mallikarjun jyoptirling in Srisailam (A.P.) √

3. Mahakaleshwar jyotirling in Ujjain (M.P.) 4. Omkareshwar jyotirling in Shivpuri / mAmaleswara (M.P.)

5. Vaidyanath jyotirling in Parali (Mah) √

6. Nageswar jyotirling in Darukavanam <mah)< a=""> </mah)<> √

Page 14: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 14 of 23

7. Kedareswar jyotirling in Kedarnath / Himalayas (Utt)

8. Tryambakeswar jyotirling in Nasik (Mah) √

9. Rameshwar jyotirling in Setubandanam / Rameshwaram (T.N.) √

10. Bhimashankar jyotirling in Dakini (Mah) √

11. Visweswar jyotirling in Varanasi (U.P.) and √

12. Ghrishneswar jyotirling in Devasrovar (Mah). √

Sri Thripura Sundari Song

Parvatha Rajakumari Bhavaani

Bhanjaya krupya mama dhurithaani |

Dheena dayaakari poorna kataakshi

Thripura Sundari Devi Meenaakshi ||

Aarani Naaarani Kaaarani Neeli

Poorani yoga puraathana sheelee |

Shankara naayaki Shaantha maheshwari

Sundari veda vishakshini Gowree ||

Amba chidambaraa naada nateshwari

Ambana kaadhali devi sarveshwari |

Shambhu mohini Shantha dayaamani

Dhukkha bhedhinee shoka nivaarini ||

Panacha dashaakshari panjara vaasinee

Kumjitha paada Mahesha vilaasini |

Kaachni Kaamaakshi Kaashi Vishalaakshi

Kaarunya laavanya Akhilaandeshwari ||

Page 15: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 15 of 23

Death Hospitals in Kashi: For those who want Moksha

Dear All:

On the very interesting topic of getting moksha (simply by dying in Kashi), I

found an interesting article, see link below. The second link has the article

(revised somewhat) that was uploaded earlier.

http://www.mahavidya.ca/dharma-and-the-individual/death-hospitals-in-

kashi-kasi/

There are apparently "death hospitals" in Kashi where the idea of the

hospital is NOT to save a person from death but allowing them to die.

However, you can read about what is going on and decide.....

Among devout VaishNavites, there is a similar belief that dying in

Srirangam guarantees moksha and I have heard about at least one person

who refused to leave Srirangam and then actually died there on Vaikunta

Ekadasi (in Srirangam it was next day, according to all these "calendar"

calculations). However, I am not aware of any "death hospitals" in

Srirangam to date.

The MaNikarnika ghat in Kashi, mentioned here, is a highly

recommended place to visit (unfortunately, I did not, too late when I found

out) and take a dip in the Holy Ganga there. It is believed that Lord and

Shiva and Parvati also personally visit that place.

Likewise, dying in Mathura is believed to guarantee moksha. This is

described nicely in a composition known as Mathura Mahatmyam.

http://nitaaiveda.com/All_Scriptures_By_Acharyas/Rupa_Goswami/9_1e_1

b_.htm

Page 16: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 16 of 23

Glories of Mathura from Mathura Mahatmyam Text 1

harir api bhajamanebhyah

prayo muktim dadati na tu bhaktim

vihita-tad-unnati-satram

mathure dhanyam namami tvam

harir-Hari; api-even; bhajamanebhyah -worshiping; prayah-for the most part;

muktim-liberation; dadati-gives; na-not; tu-but; bhaktim-bhakti; vihita-placed; tad-

unnati-satram-great sacrifice; mathure-in Mathura; dhanyam-auspicious; namami-

obeisances; tvam-to you.

Generally Lord Hari gives mukti, but not bhakti, to his worshipers. O Mathura, to

you, who gives a great sacrifice of pure bhakti and who are very auspicious, I offer my

respectful obeisances.

Text 12

namani grihnatam asyah

sadaiva tv amhasah kshayah

sada krita-yugam catra

sada caivottarayanam

namani-names; grihnatam-taking; asyah-of it; sada-always; eva-indeed; tu-

certainly; amhasah-sins; kshayah-destroyed; sada-always; krita-yugam-Satya-yuga; ca-

and; atra-here; sada-always; ca-and; eva-indeed; uttarayanam-Uttarayana.

For one who always chants the name of Mathura sins are always destroyed. For

him it is always Satya-yuga. For him it is always the auspicious time of Uttarayana.

Text 84

moksha-pradatvam. adi-varahe

Šya gatir yoga-yuktasya

brahmajnasya manishinah

Page 17: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 17 of 23

sa gatis tyajatah pranan

mathurayam narasya ca

moksha-liberation; pradatvam-granting; adi-varahe-in the Adi-varaha Purana; ya-

which; gatir-destination; yoga-yuktasya-of one engaged in yoga; brahmajnasya-who

knows brahman; manishinah-wise; sa-that; gatih-destination; tyajatah-giving up;

pranan-life; mathurayam-in Mathura; narasya-of a person; ca-and.

Mathura Grants Liberation

In the Adi-varaha Purana it is said:

The spiritual desintation attained by one who practices yoga, one who knows

Brahman, or one who is a thoughtful philosospher, is also attained by a person who

passes from this life in Mathura.

Text 85

tirthe caiva grihe vapi

catvare pathi caiva hi

yatra tatra mrita devi

muktim yanti na canyatha

tirthe-at this holy place; ca-and; eva-indeed; grihe-at home; va-or; api-and;

catvare-in a courtyard; pathi-on the road; ca-and; eva-indeed; hi-indeed; yatra-where;

tatra-there; mritah-after death; devi-O goddess; muktim-liberation; yanti-attain; na-not;

ca-and; anyatha-otherwise.

O goddess, they who die in this holy place in a home here, in a courtyard, or on the

road, attain liberation without any doubt.

Text 86

kashy-adi-puryo yadi santi loke

tasam tu madhye mathuraiva dhanya

ya janma-maunji-vrata-mrityu-dahair

nrinam caturdha vidadhati moksham

kashy-adi-puryah-beginning with Varanasi; yadi-if; santi-are; loke-in the world;

tasam-of them; tu-indeed; madhye-in the midst; mathura-Mathura; eva-indeed;

Page 18: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 18 of 23

dhanya-opulent; ya-which; janma-birth; mau{.sy 241}ji-vrata-brahminical initiation;

mrityu-of death; dahair-by the fires; nrinam-of people; caturdha-in ヘŠfour; vidadhati-

grants; moksham-liberation.

If Varanasi and other holy cities were assemnbled together on this earth Mathura

would be the greatest and most opulent amongst them. With the fires of birth, death,

or brahmnical initiation within its boundaries, Mathura grants the four kinds of

liberation.

Text 87

na yogair ya gatir labhya

manvantara-shatair api

anyatra helaya satra

labhayte mat-prasadatah

na-not; yogair-by yoga; ya-which; gatir-destination; labhya-is attained; manvantara-

shatair-in hundreds of Manvantaras; api-even; anyatra-in another place; helaya-easily;

sa-that; atra-here; labhayte-is attained; mat-prasadatah-by My mercy.

The spiritual destination that in another place cannot be attained byt practicieng

yoga for thousands of manvantaras is attainable by My mercy very easily in this place.

Text 88

na papebhyo bhayam yatra

na bhayam yatra vai yamat

na garbha-vasa-bhir yatra

tat kshetram ko na samshrayet

na-not; papebhyah-of sins; bhayam-fear; yatra-where; na-not; bhayam-fear; yatra-

where; vai-indeed; yamat-of yama; na-not; garbha-vasa-of residence in a mother's

womb; bhir-fear; yatra-where; tat kshetram-that place; kah-who?; na-not; samshrayet-

will take shelter.

Who will not take shelter of this holy place where there is no fear of sin, no fear of

Yamaraja, and no fear of residing again in a mother's womb.

Page 19: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 19 of 23

Text 89

vina sankhyena yogena

vina svatma-vicintanam

vina vrata-tapo-danaih

shreyo vai praninam iha

vina-without; sankhyena-sankhya; yogena-yoga; vina-without; svatma-vicintanam-

meditation on the Self; vina-without; vrata-vows; ヘŠtapah-austerities; danaih-and

charity; shreyah-benediction; vai-indeed; praninam-of the,living entities; iha-here.

Withyout sankhya, without yoga, without meditation on the Self, and without vows,

austerities or charity, the living entities here attain the greatest benediction.

Text 90

krimi-kita-patangadya

mathurayam mrita hi ye

kulat patanti ye vrikshas

te 'pi yanti param gatim

krimi-worms; kita-insects; patanga-birds; adya-beginning with; mathurayam-in

Mathura; mrita hi-indeed; ye-who; kulat-from the riverbanks; patanti-fall; ye-who;

vrikshahtrees; te-they; api-even; yanti-attain; param gatim-the supreme destination.

The worms, insects, birds, and other creatures who die here and the trees that fall

down from the riverbanks here, all attain the supreme destination.

Text 91

varahe

vimsha-yojana-vistaro

mathurayash ca mandalam

yatra pranan vimuncanti

siddha yanti param gatim

varahe-in the varaha Purana; vimsha-yojana-vistarah-20 yojanas in size;

Page 20: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 20 of 23

mathurayah-of Mathura; ca-and; mandalam-circle; yatra-where; pranan-life;

vimuncanti-abandon; siddhah-perfect; yanti-attain; param gatim-the supreme

destination.

In the Varaha Purana it is said:

They who die in the twenty-yojana (160 miles) area of Mathura become perfect and

attain the supreme destination.

Very sincerely

V. Laxmanan

October 12, 2011

Page 21: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 21 of 23

Page 22: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 22 of 23

Page 23: On Getting Moksha : Four Shiva kshetras and Carnatic Music stalwarts

Page 23 of 23