Rama Gaya

Vindhyachala: Rama Gaya:

(Aushanasa Purana - Vindhyachala Mahatmya - 32 to 33)

• Meditation: I meditate on Sri Rama performing the shraddha of king Dasharatha at Rama Gaya.

• Sri Rama going to Vindhyachala: Sri Rama returned to Ayodhya after killing Ravana (in Lanka). He was sad about the passing away of his father Dasharatha. The munis consoled him and he continued to rule his kingdom according to Dharma. One day, Sri Rama saw his father Dasharatha in preta-yoni (ghost). To perform the shraddha of king Dasharatha, Sri Rama started from his residence. He first went to Kashi and worshipped Lord Shiva after taking bath in river Ganga. Then he went to Gaya and perfomed the sharaddha of king Dasharatha. While returning, sage Vasishtha told Sri Rama about the greatness of Vindhyachala which he had heard from sage Narada. Sage Vasishtha said that there is a place near the confluence of rivers Ganga and Karnavati where people perform shraddha, and the results are greater than Gaya. Hearing this, Sri Rama went to Vindhyachala to perform sharaddha.

• Sri Rama establishing Kunda and Shiva Linga in Vindhyachala: After going to Vindhyachala, Sri Rama along with Devi Sita took bath in river Ganga. They also took bath in other kshetras and worshipped various Lingas like Tarakeshwara. Sri Rama was happy seeing the Vindhyachala Kshetra and said to sage Vasishtha that it seems to him that this kshetra bestows moksha quickly. There is no kshetra which can give greater fruits than this (kshetra). Therefore, they should establish Shiva Lingas in this place and create kundas for worship. Thereafter, Sri Rama created the Rameshwara Linga and Rama Kunda. Lakshmana created the Lakshmaneshwara Linga and Lakshman Kunda. Bharata created the Bharateshwara Linga and Bharat Kunda. Devi Sita created the Siteshwara Linga and Sita Kunda. Bhakta Hanuman created the Langulesha Linga. On the southern side of river Karnavati, sage Vasishtha and other sages created Lingas according to their names. There is an ancient Shiva Linga named Kautin on the southern side of river Karnavati whose darshan liberates one from all bondages.

• Sri Rama establishing Dharma Shila in Vindhyachala: Sri Rama established a Dharma Shila in Vindhyachala following the injunctions of the scriptures. It is near the confluence of rivers Ganga and Karnavati. Sri Rama performed Yagna there through brahmins conversant with the Vedas.

• Sri Rama performing Shraddha in Vindhyachala: Sri Rama performed Shraddha there and offered Pinda Dana, following the injunction of the scriptures.

• Sri Rama hearing Akashvani in Vindhyachala: Thereafter, Sri Rama heard an Akashvani (voice from the sky) that he has done a very great work, therefore, he will have a long life-span. The Akashvani said that from that day, the place will be known as Rama Gaya. Whoever does shraddha and pinda dana there, their Pitris will reside in heaven with divine bodies.