Yoga Vashishtha 1.3.32–42
(Prince Rama's Pilgrimage)
नदीतीराणि पुण्यानि वनान्यायतनानि च।
जङ्गलानि जनान्तेषु तटान्यब्धिमहीभृताम् ॥ ३२ ॥
मन्दाकिनीमिन्दुनिभां कालिन्दीं चोत्पलामलाम् ।
सरस्वतीं शतद्रूं च चन्द्रभागामिरावतीम् ॥ ३३ ॥
वेणीं च कृष्णवेणीं च निर्विन्ध्यां सरयूं तथा ।
चर्मण्वतीं वितस्तां च विपाशां बाहुदामपि ॥ ३४ ॥
प्रयागं नैमिषं चैव धर्मारण्यं गयां तथा।
वाराणसीं श्रीगिरिं च केदारं पुष्करं तथा ॥ ३५ ॥
मानसं च क्रमसरस्तथैवोत्तरमानसम्।
वडवावदनं चैव तीर्थवृन्दं स सादरम् ॥ ३६ ॥
अग्नितीर्थं महातीर्थमिन्द्रद्युम्नसरस्तथा ।
सरांसि सरितश्चैव तथा नदह्रदावलीम् ॥ ३७ ॥
स्वामिनं कार्तिकेयं च शालग्रामं हरिं तथा ।
स्थानानि च चतुःषष्टिं हरेरथ हरस्य च ॥ ३८ ॥
नानाश्चर्यविचित्राणि चतुरब्धितटानि च।
विन्ध्यमन्दरकुञ्जांश्च कुलशैलस्थलानि च ॥ ३९ ॥
राजर्षीणां च महतां ब्रह्मर्षीणां तथैव च ।
देवानां ब्राह्मणानां चे पावनानाश्रमाञ्छुभान् ॥ ४० ॥
भूयोभूयः स बभ्राम भ्रातृभ्यां सह मानदः।
चतुर्ष्वपि दिगन्तेषु सर्वानेव महीतटान् ॥ ४१ ॥
अमरकिन्नरमानवमानितः समवलोक्य महीमखिलामिमाम् ।
उपययौ स्वगृहं रघुनन्दनो विहृतदिक् शिवलोकमिवेश्वरः ॥ ४२ ॥
32. He visited the sacred riverbanks, forests, and holy shrines, as well as the wilderness regions and the shores of the vast oceans and towering mountains.
33. He traveled to the celestial Mandakini River, which shines like the moon, to the Kalindi River with its pristine blue waters, and to the holy Saraswati, Shatadru, Chandrabhaga, and Iravati rivers.
34. He also visited the Veni and Krishna-Veni rivers, the Nirvindhya, and the sacred Sarayu, along with the Charmaṇvati, Vitasta, Vipasha, and many other rivers.
35. His journey led him to the sacred sites of Prayaga and Naimisha, to the holy forest of Dharma, and to the revered lands of Gaya, Varanasi, Shri Giri, Kedara, and Pushkara.
36. He visited the Manasa and Kramasara lakes, as well as the great northern Manasa lake. He also revered the fiery subterranean regions and the numerous sacred pilgrimage sites with devotion.
37. He paid homage at Agni Tirtha and Mahatirtha, visited the sacred Indradyumna Lake, and observed the numerous lakes, rivers, and vast collections of sacred water bodies.
38. He bowed to Lord Kartikeya's shrine, worshipped the sacred Shaligram, and revered Lord Hari. He also visited the sixty-four Divine abodes of both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.
39. He witnessed many wondrous and mystical sites along the shores of the four great oceans. He traveled through the Vindhya and Mandara mountain groves and to the sacred regions of the Kulachala mountains.
40. He visited the holy hermitages of great Rajarshis and Brahmarshis, as well as the sacred ashrams of gods and Brahmins, which purified all who entered them.
41. The noble prince continued his journey across all four directions, traversing every region of the earth, accompanied by his brothers.
42. Honored by gods, celestial beings, and humans alike, he observed the entire world in all its splendor. Having traveled across all directions, the son of the Raghu finally returned home, much like Shiva returning to his Divine abode after witnessing the Universe.
Summary of Teachings in These Verses:
These verses describe an extensive pilgrimage undertaken by the noble prince, a journey through various sacred places, rivers, mountains, and revered ashrams. The narrative emphasizes:
1. The Importance of Pilgrimage:
The journey across holy sites, rivers, and shrines highlights the significance of visiting spiritually potent places to purify the mind and soul. It reflects the ancient Indian tradition of pilgrimage as a means of attaining wisdom and spiritual upliftment.
2. Sacred Geography:
The verses list many rivers, mountains, and tirthas (holy places) recognized in Hindu tradition. This indicates a deep reverence for Nature, where Divine presence is believed to manifest in sacred landscapes.
3. The Association with Righteousness (Dharma):
By visiting these places, the prince demonstrates a commitment to dharma, recognizing the value of spiritual discipline, Devotion, and reverence for Sages and Divine Beings.
4. The Journey as Inner Transformation:
The prince's travels symbolize an internal journey of Self-discovery, where the physical act of visiting these places parallels the inner pilgrimage toward Wisdom and Enlightenment.
5. Divine Recognition:
The last verse compares the prince’s return to Shiva returning to his celestial abode. This suggests that, having seen the vast world, the prince has gained a profound understanding of life, akin to the Divine perspective of a Realized Sage or deity.
These verses, therefore, serve as both a geographical account and a metaphorical lesson on the path to enlightenment through experience, observation, and Devotion.
End of Chapter 1, Section 3
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