Gaya Overview

Gaya: Gaya Overview:

(Vayu Purana - 105)

• Meditation: I meditate on Lord Adi-Gadadhara abiding in Gaya.

Lord Vishnu

• Overview of the greatness of Gaya: Sage Narada asked sage Sanatkumara about the greatness of Gaya. Sage Sanatkumara described Gaya as Teerthavara Punyam (A great sacred Teertha) which redeems by means of Shraddha.

The following events took place in Gaya:
- Demon Gayasura performed penance in Gaya (and attained great purity).
- Lord Brahma asked for his body to perform a Yagna (Sacrifice).
- To perform the Yagna, over his body was placed a Dharma Shila.
- Lord Brahma performed the Yagna in the beginning of Sweta-Varaha-Kalpa.
- On that body of Gaya and Dharma Shila, Lord Gadadhara stood (Lord Vishnu holding a Gada or a Mace).
- Lord Gadadhara also abided in Gaya as Phalgu-Teertha along with other Devas.
- After the Yagna, Lord Brahma bestowed grihas (abodes) to the Brahmanas.

This holy place came to be known as Gayasura after demon Gaya. The Pitris attain Mukti when their sons offer Pinda in Gaya.

• Four Types of Mukti: There are four types of Mukti:
1. Mukti through Brahma Jnana (Knowledge of Brahman).
2. Mukti through Gaya Shraddha.
3. Mukti through death in Go-Griha (Cow-shed).
4. Mukti through staying in Kurukshetra.

• Auspicious days for Sharaddha:
- Brihaspati (Jupiter) in Simha (zodiac sign of Leo)
- Surya (Sun) in Mina, Mesha, Kanya, Dhanus and Kumbha as well as Makara.
- Chandra-Grahan (Lunar Eclipse)
- Surya-Grahan (Solar Eclipse)
A recluse need not offer Pinda in Gaya. He can simply place his staff in Vishnu-pada.

• Different contents of Pinda:
- Payasa (Porridge with Rice and Milk)
- Caru (Rice, Barley and Pulse)
- Pistaka (Oat-meal, Flour etc.)
- Tandula (Rice)
- Phala-Mula (Fruits)
- Tilaka (Sesamum)
- Guda (Jaggery)
- Ghrita (Ghee)
- Dadhi (Curd)
- Madhu (Honey)

• High-level steps of Shraddha:
- Pindasana (Pinda-Asana): Seat for Pinda-Dana
- Pinda-Dana: Offering of Pinda
- Avanejana: Sprinkling of water on Darbha-grass
- Dakshina: Offering of Dakshina (Charity)
- Anna-Samkalpa: Taking Samkalpa for Anna-dana

• Other specialities of Gaya:
- In other places, Pitris come when invoked. But in Gaya, Pitris always stay there.
- River Vaitarini descends in Gaya Kshetra for the redemption of the Pitris.

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