Hinduism For All - Ashta Svayam Vyakta Kshetras

Hinduism For All

Ashta Svayam Vyakta Kshetras

According to Skanda Puraana, Lord Naaraayana manifested Himself in eight different places and infused His divine Self. They are :

1. Saalagraama

Muktinaath in Nepal where in the Saalagraama Shilas are found in Daamodarakund and Gandaki River.

2. Pushkar in Rajasthan

Present as the water – body (Teertha-rupi)

3. Naimisaaranya in Uttar Pradesh

Present as Devaraja, in the form of a forest (Vana-rupi). All the 18 Puraanas were recited by Soota Pauraanika in Naimisaaranya.

4. Totaadri

Nanguneri (Vaanamaamalai).

5. Shreeranga in Tamil Nadu

Charming presence as Ranganaatha, reclining on Serpent bed.

6. Shreemooshna in Tamil Nadu

Manifest as Varaahamoorthi, made of Saalagraama Shila.

7. Bhadrikaashrama in Uttarkhand

Present as Lord Badrinaaraayana performing penance.

8. Tirupati

The granter of all wishes, Lord Venkateshvara. He is the guiding force for the devotees in this world and fulfills the desires of all his devotees.

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Shakti Peethas :

There are 52 Shakti Peethas popularly known or 108 according to some tradition. It is believed that Goddess Sati made Her divine presence in these places.

Some of the important Peethas are :

Kaamaakhya : Assam

Jvaalaamukhi : Himachal Pradesh

Kaalika : Kolkatta

Vindhyavaasini : Madhya Pradesh

Vanashankari (Shaakambari) : Baadami, Karnataka

Mahaalakshmi : Kolhapur

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Aarupadai Veedu :

There is a sangam Tamil text by name, Tirumurugaatrupadai composed by Nakkeerar. In the work, the poet – author sings the greatness of Six Kshetras of Lord Kaartikeya. They are collectively known as Aarupadai Veedu.

1. Tiruvaavinankudi (Pazhani)

Lord Subrahmanya was worshipped by Lakshmi (Thiru), Kaamadhenu (Aavu), Sun (Inan), Goddess Earth (Ku) and Agni (Di), hence the name.

Later on Bhogar, a Siddhar, established the image of Dandaayudhapaani on a hillock nearby by making the image with nine medicinal elements called Navapaashaana.

2. Thiruchendur

Also called Jayantipuram. Lord Subrahmanya prayed to Shiva before the destruction of Taarakaasura here.

3. Triuttanigai (Tiruttani)

Lord Subrahmanya established Himself on this hillock to pacify (Tanidal) His anger after destroying Taaraka. His chest is marked by Sudarshana chakra which he carried in the battle.

Muthuswaami Deekshitar one of the trinities of carnatic music, was blessed with vision of Lord Guruguha (another name of Lord Subrahmanya) and he started composing his songs with the signature ‘Guruguha’ in all of them as a mark of honour to this deity.

4. Tiruparankundram

This is the place where Lord Subrahmanya married Deivanayaki, the daughter of Indra. One can see the entire Pantheon of deities here, attending the Holy Communion.

5. Svaamimalai

Lord Subrahmanya is supposed to be in a state of eternal Bliss, standing on this small hillock. Subrahmanya imparts the true significance of ‘OM’ to Shiva.

6. Pazhamudir – cholai

At present, it is identified on the hillock of Azhagar malai, near Madurai, wherein the Lord is worshipped in the form of ‘Vel’, the Shakti weapon that He carries always with him.

There is a school of thought according to which Pazhamudircholai is identified with Kuggi Subrahmanya, near Mookaambika, in Karnataka.

Chaturaamnaaya Peetha:

Sri Aadi Shankaraachaarya established four or five mathas, to spread the message of Dharma all over the world, especially in India. These mathas are in four directions and that is why called Chatur – Aamnaaya – Peetha.

1. Uttaraamnaaya Peetha - Badrikaashrama (Joshi Math)

2. Poorvaamnaaya Peetha - Jagannath Puri

3. Pashchimaamnaaya Peetha - Dvaaraka

4. Dakshinaamnaaya Peetha - Sringeri & Kanchi

Of these the first three were established in existing Kshetras, Kaanchipuram too was a well known Shakti Peetha.

Sringeri Matha was established by Shankara, when Goddess Sarasvati as Shaaradaa Herself decided to stay in the designated place. Even now Shaaradaambal is the presiding deity of the Sringeri Matha, bestowing Jnyaana (Supreme Knowledge) upon the devotees.

Amarnaath:

The hilly shrine, located in the Kashmir region, is one of the holiest shrines of Lord Shiva on the Himalayan ranges. The natural ice- formation begins on a full moon and melts down after two full moons. The annual pilgrimage that lasts only for two months (June mid to first week of Aug, corrresponding to the Hindu month of Shravana) attracts thousands of devotees, unmindful of the long strenuous treck on the mountains.

Kailaasa – Maanasarovar:

Pilgrimage to the blessed abode of Lord Shiva, Kailaasa is a life-time wish of every devout Hindu. Situated in Nepal – China border, Kailaasa can be reached after a long trek through Himalayan ranges. Situated on the banks of Maanasarovar lake, Kailaasa Mountain fills the heart of the devotee with bliss and purges one’s mind of all its impurities. The Bahir – Parikrama (external circumbulation) and Antah – Parikrama (internal circumbulation) bestows great merit to the dovotee.

Vaishno Devi:

In the Jammu region, the temple of Vaishno Devi attracts thousands of Pilgrims throughout the year. The manifestation of Durgaa – Lakshmi and Sarasvati, Maa Vaishno Devi is the wish yielding Goddess. No one returns empty handed or with a burdened mind from this temple.

Shabari Giri:

Dharma Shaastaa is popularly known as Lord Ayyappa. The main temple for the Lord is situated in the Shabari Hill in Kerala state in India which is throned by lakhs of devotees year after year. The 48 days vow (vrata) is observed by the Devotees who prepares himself for the physical endurance as well stimulates his mind to receive the spiritual guidance flowing from the blessed Lord Ayyappa. When the devotee after the ceremonial bath in Pampa river, climbs the eighteen golden steps symbolising eighteen mental activities, and has a vision of Shaastaa seated in Yogic posture, his life takes a new turn, from mundane to spiritual heights.

The list of such Kshetras is unlimited. The devout Hindu tries to make a pilgrimage to most of these places, at least once in his lifetime, to fully drench himself in the Divine Bliss emanating from these Kshetras.

This article is a snippet from the Book Hinduism For All, Authored by TS Srinivasan and Edited By Dr Ramchandrashekar. Hinduism for All is available online at www.giri.in & across Giri Trading Agency Private Limited, A chain of Speciality Stores dealing in all kinds of products needed in Indian Culture & Tradition.

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