Baal Kaanda
15 - Dialogue between the sages - Yajnavalkya and Bharadvaja and the greatness of Prayaga
Chaupais
Description
The sage Bharadvja lives in Prayga; he is extremely devoted to the feet of Sri Rama. A great ascetic and an embodiment of self-restraint, composure of mind and compassion, he is highly advanced on the spiritual path. In the month of Mgha, when the sun enters the sign of Capricorn, everyone visits the chief of holy places, Prayga. Troops of gods and demons, Kinnaras (demigods) and men, all devoutly bathe in the triple stream of the Ganga, Yamun and Sarasvats. They worship the lotus feet of God Vindumdhava (the presiding deity of Prayga); and the touch of the immortal banyan tree sends a thrill into their limbs. The hermitage of Bharadvja is a most sacred spot, exceedingly charming and attractive even to great hermits and the haunt of sages and seers who go to bathe at that holiest of holy places. At daybreak they all perform their ablutions with religious fervour and then converse together on the virtues of Sri Hari. (1-4)