Lakshmi Kunda

Vindhyachala: Lakshmi Kunda:

(Aushanasa Purana - Vindhyachala Mahatmya - 10 to 12)

• Meditation: I meditate on Lord Shiva giving darshan to Devi Lakshmi after her long penance.

• Devi Lakshmi deciding to perform penance at Vindhyachala: After penance, Lord Vishnu returned to Vaikuntha Loka with an enchanting beauty, obtained by the boon of Lord Shiva. Devi Lakshmi asked her husband how he had obtained such a beauty. Lord Vishnu told her everything about his penance and various boons. Devi Lakshmi decided to perform penance at Vindhyachala.
(Aushanasa Purana - Vindhyachala Mahatmya - 10)

• Devi Lakshmi asking permission to perform penance at Vindhyachala: Devi Lakshmi sought the permission of Lord Vishnu to perform penance at Vindhyachala. She said that by the grace of Lord Shiva, everything can be obtained. She also wants to obtain great beauty through her penance. Lord Vishnu, with joy, gave her permission to go to that auspicious Kshetra for performing penance.
(Aushanasa Purana - Vindhyachala Mahatmya - 11)

• Devi Lakshmi performing penance at Vindhyachala: Devi Lakshmi went to Vindhyachala and first saw the Tarakeshwara Linga and Taraka Kunda. She bathed in that kunda and worshipped that Linga. Then she went to Narayaneshwara Linga and Narayana Kunda. She bathed in that kunda, meditated on Lord Shiva, and worshipped that Linga. Then she created a kunda near that and established Lord Shiva. Devi Lakshmi, forsaking food and water, performed severe penance there for ten thousand years. When Lord Shiva did not appear even after that, Devi Lakshmi cut her breasts and offered it to Lord Shiva.
(Aushanasa Purana - Vindhyachala Mahatmya - 11)

• Lord Shiva giving darshan to Devi Lakshmi: Seeing Devi Lakshmi filled with blood, Lord Shiva appeared there in a highly effulgent form. Lord Shiva said that he was pleased by her penance and told her to ask for a boon. Devi Lakshmi eulogized Lord Shiva. Devi Lakshmi asked the boon that she always remain devoted to Sri Hari and also obtain great beauty. The kunda created by her become famous in the world and those who bathe in it get the blessings of Lord Shiva. Her devotion also remain constant on the Feet of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva granted those boons and said that the breasts offered by her will become two Bilva trees. Bilva leaves will become essential part of his worship and without Bilva leaves his worship will become fruitless. Those who worship him will Bilva leaves writing "Om Namah Shivaya" mantra over them will obtain great merit. Then Lord Shiva glorified the kunda and said that bathing, performing worship, homa, shraddha etc. there will bestow great merit.
(Aushanasa Purana - Vindhyachala Mahatmya - 11 to 12)

Bharatavarsha - The Land of Gods and Sages:

• Stotras

• Scriptures

• Pilgrimages - by Groups - by Deities - by States - by Geography

• Sacred Geography - Mountains - Rivers

• Festivals

• Sages - Hermitages - Penances

• Saints - Ramakrishna - Vivekananda - Ramana

• Sadhana

• Sanskrit

• Nature

• Arts and Sciences

• Bharatavarsha - Puranic History - Puranic Lineage