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lovers of wisdom and to share the Hindu Dharma with others on the
spiritual path and also this is purely a non-commercial blog)
FROM THE AGAMAS
Marvel at Mount Meru’s Majesty
A
celestial abode, endowed with lustrous cities encircled by heavenly lands
The following is a lucid translation of compiled excerpts from
the Mrugendra
Agama, chapter 13, in which Indra describes to
Sage Bharadvaja the beauties of Mount Meru, center of the Prithivi-loka, or
Earth plane.
IN ORDER TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR EVOLUTION, LORD ANANTESVARA
creates many worlds at various levels of existence. Here is explained the
islands, rivers and forests of the Prithivi-loka.
The
Jambudvipa (island of jambu trees) appears as the navel of the earth
sphere. It is surrounded by the salty ocean whose size equals the Jambudvipa.
At the center of the great island is Mount Meru, of the nature of gold, it is
the supreme king of all mountains. Its effulgence exceeds the brilliance of the
Sun. It is honored and frequented by the devas. The highest of the mountain’s
three encircling ridges, of its upper section, serves as the dwelling place of
the eight Lokapalas (directional Deities). The knowers of the scriptures
call it Chakravata, and it shimmers with the resplendent rays of jewels.
At the levels below, reside the Siddhas, Gandharvas and Maruts.
On its summit are eight cities.
These
cities belong to Indra and the other seven Deities, who reside in the eight
directions. The city of Amaravati, in the east, belongs to Indra. It is
beautified with the shimmering rays of clustered gems. Frequently resorted to
by Siddhas, Sadhyas and Maruts, it rests upon a stretch of golden land. The
city known as Tejovati, to the southeast, belongs to Agni. It abounds in
red and whitish-yellow gems. Its many enclosures and gopuras are built of gold.
The city known as Samyamini, belonging to Lord Yama, God of Death, is in
the south. It is fortified with high ramparts built of iron. It is served by
the soldiers of Yama. The city called Krishnavati belongs to Nirruti and
is resorted to by the Daityas. Its palace resembles the palace of Yama
and it is richly decorated with sprawling canopies, blooming with clusters of
sapphire light.
The
city known as Suddhavati, belonging to Varuna, the Lord of water, is in
the west. It is formed of sphatika (crystals). Its buildings shine forth
with the soft whites of the clouds. It is visited by aquatic beings such as
tortoises, fish, sharks and others. In the northwest is the city known as Gandhavati,
belonging to Vayu. It is richly decorated with glorious flags and banners of
white and gold. It is encrusted with a multitude of gems. The city is served by
etherial soldiers known for their strength and vigor. The city called Mahodaya,
belonging to Kubera, is in the north. It is constructed of white stones such as
moonstone and pearl, and is replete with palaces which shine like the
Himalayas. It is extolled by hosts of brahmins and sages. The city called Yasovati
is in the northeast. It belongs to Ishana. It is constructed with every
kind of precious gem and is served by the Rudras. These cities are capable of
yielding the pleasures of all the seasons and appear reddened by the pollen of
Brahma’s parijata flowers, which wafts through the mountain winds. These are
indeed heavens designed for the eight directional Deities and for those who
follow their guidance. In such, these cities are praised by the poets of Earth.
At
Mt. Meru’s peak and through its center is the city of Manovati. This is
the city of Brahma, honored by the directional Deities. The effulgent clusters
of brilliant rays emitted by the precious gems of this city reach and redden
the endless routes of space. The devas and the sages who are endowed with great
splendor and glory do penance here, observing the yamas and niyamas and
meditating on Brahma. They work to attain the supreme goals desired by them.
There
are other mountains in the four directions below Meru. There are also nine
islands and nine great prospering lands.
In
order to effect stability to Meru it is surrounded by four supportive mountains.
On each of these mountains is a heavenly tree. Their names are Kadamba, Jambu,
Asvattha and Nygrodha.
A
river originating from the fruit juice of the Jambu-tree continuously flows
clockwise around Mount Meru, and having transformed the land into the nature of
gold, enters into the ground at the mountain’s base. Upon drinking the juicy
water of that river, the birds, snakes, deer and monkeys become gold in color,
and, too, those who swim within its waters gain a golden hue.
The
seven oceans encircling the nine islands are: the ocean of salt, milk, curd,
ghee, sugarcane juice, wine and the ocean of pure water. Beyond the seventh
ocean of pure water there is a great stretch of land infused with golden
luster, abounding in gems, trees and mountains. At the exterior of this land is
the mountain called Lokaloka, the front side of which always remains
illumined, while its backside stays dark. The rays of the sun that fall on its
summits become as cool as the rays of the moon. Beyond Lokaloka is a vast
region of dense darkness, and beyond this dark region lies a great ocean called
Garbhoda, the king of oceans, which extends up all sides of the Brahmanda,
the golden, cosmic egg.
(DR.
S. P. SABHARATHNAM SIVACHARYAR, of the Adi Saiva priest lineage, is an expert
in ancient Tamil and Sanskrit, specializing in the Vedas, Agamas
and Shilpa Shastras. This excerpt is from his recent translation of the Mrugendra
Agama.)
Om Tat Sat
(Continued...)
(Continued...)
(My humble salutations to Sadguru Sri Sivaya Subramuniyaswami
ji, Satguru Bodhianatha Velayanswami ji, Hinduism
Today and Articles writers for the collection)
(The Blog is reverently for all the seekers of truth,
lovers of wisdom and to share the Hindu Dharma with others on the
spiritual path and also this is purely a non-commercial blog)
)
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