Do you ever wonder what is so special in Badrinath temple, Himalayas compared to a temple in your community? Is the temple in Badrinath more auspicious and powerful than the one in your community? Why or why not!?
There is absolutely no difference in the power of God in one temple versus another. In fact, the same God exists right within your heart too. But, the historical significance of a temple varies from one to another. When it comes to Badrinath, one should pay attention to His form seen through the spectacular beauty of the mountains, remarkable valleys, dancing rivers, sparkling leaves, dazzling flowers, several unions of rivers such as Alakananda, Mandakini, Nandakini, Karnali, Saraswati, Ganga and more!
God exists in the form of mountains named Nara and Narayana in Badrinath hills, Ganga carries that grace to the lowlands!
The history of Badrinath began in Swayambhuvu manvantara, [A manvantara is 71 chaturyugas, 1 Chaturyuga is 43,20,000 years]. We are currently in Vyvasvatha manvantara which is 7 manvantaras past Swayambhuvu manvantara! That is when God took two forms: guru and a disciple as Narayana and Nara and gave out the Mantra Rajam, or Mantra Bramham, or Mantra Ratnam – the Ashtakshari Mahamantra!
(To all those who remember studying in our science books that apes are our ancestors, make a note of these wonderful truths on our history! We hail from manu, the rushis not apes!)
The temple in your community may not carry this kind of history, but be grateful that the same Supreme power is accessible to you in your community as well as within yourself. Just like we adore our children in many forms – in school dress, as a character in drama, or as a sports person and more – relish the beauty of God in all his forms such as:
- untouched virgin nature with unparalleled beauty
- authentic deity as absolutely accessible form
- in polluted minds showing extreme extent of compassion
- all-pervasive power with matchless supremacy
- and countless more forms through your devoted heart!
– From the discourse of Sri Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji at Badrinath
Ramanujacharya gave away that Ashtakshari Mahamantra to all those who were interested with no restrictions whatsoever! Hence, as part of continued millennium celebrations of Ramanujacharya’s birth anniversary, the 108 feet high Ramanujacharya’s deity was installed last year in Badrinath. Carrying Ramanujacharya’s lineage of worship, Pedda Jeeyar Swamiji has constructed an asram to serve prasad for all devotees in Badrinath. Pedda Jeeyar Swamiji also chanted Sri Ramayanam and performed Veda yajnam at Badrinath. Remembering the glory of such great deeds, a foundation stone was laid at Badrinath for Sri Peddha Jeeyar Swamiji’s statue on the 4th of October 2018!
Sriman Velukkudi Krishnan Swamiji was gracing devotees of the essence of Ashtakshari Mahamantram the same week and was pleased to witness the event.
Swamiji explained to the devotees how one should chant o:m karam along with an understanding of its elaboration rather than just by itself. Ashtakshari Mahamantram is the most preferred and recommended form of elaboration according to our acharyas.
Swamiji also briefed about several spots of historical and aesthetic significance such as Ushna gundam (natural hot springs), the hill of Kubera, the hill of Garuda, Narada, Varaha, Narasimha, Neelakanta mountain, Bramha Kamala flowers and more! Swamiji also briefed about how Sankaracharya Swami was the one who brought out the deity of Badrinath temple up from the waters of Alakananda and placed Him near Ushna gundam in the 7th century. The temple that exists now was only built under the guidance of Varadacharya from Kerala in the 16th century with the help Tehri estate kings rulership!
Loads of such details on the history of temple, the beauty of the mantra and the magnanimity of the place of worship were all relished by the devotees who went along with Swamiji! We are happy to share all this information with all our dear readers who did not have the opportunity to physically witness the event! Jai Srimannarayana!
