1. Greatness of River Narmada
त्रिभिः सारस्वतं पुण्यं सप्ताहेन तु यामुनम् ।
सद्यः पुनाति गाङ्गेयं दर्शनादेव नार्मदम् ॥ – Padma Puran
Meaning : By bathing in River Saraswati for three consecutive days, River Yamuna for seven consecutive days and in River Ganga for a day, man is cleansed of his sins but a mere vision of River Narmada cleanses him of his sins.
2. Origin of River Narmada and
the boon she has received from Deity Shankar
Once after performing the tandav dance, Deity Shankar was perspiring. It is from this sweat that River Narmada has originated. That is why she is called the daughter of Deity Shankar. This daughter assumed the form of a woman and performed austerities for Deity Shankar. Pleased with her penance, He granted her a boon, ‘O Narmada you will cleanse everyone of all sins, the stones in your bed will be equivalent to Deity Shiva’.
3. Birth anniversary of River Narmada
Despite being a young unmarried girl, River Narmada is mother to all. She originated at Amarkantak in the Anuppur District of Madhya Pradesh on Magh shukla paksha saptami (seventh day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Magh) during the reign of the Ashwini star, at 12 noon. So this is celebrated as her birth anniversary.
4. River Narmada – The only river which flows to the west coast!
Since this river originates in the Maikal mountain she is also referred to as ‘Maikalkanya’. she is the fifth largest river in India. she is the only river which flows from the east towards the west coast for a distance of 1312 kilometres through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat before finally merging into the Arabian Sea at Bhadoch in Gujarat.
5. Narmada is the only sacred river
from Bharat which is circumambulated (parikrama),
the very first circumambulation being done by Sage Markandeya
Of the sacred rivers from Bharat, circumambulation of only River Narmada is done. Several ascetics and Saints have narrated how gods and goddesses and saints have circumambulated this river but the pioneer in this was Sage Markandeya who took 27 years for its completion.
6. The area around River Narmada purified by Holy men
With Holy men visiting the area around River Narmada, this land has become extremely pure. Banks of River Narmada are seats for penance. That is precisely why even today ashrams of many `Sages and ascetics are found on both its banks and those who are circumambulating it are provided accomodation and food there.
7.Types of circumambulations of River Narmada
River Narmada is circumambulated in three ways – 1. Rudra Parikrama 2. Jal Hari Parikrama and 3. Hanuman Parikrama. Since Jal Hari and Hanuman Parikrama are extremely difficult to perform very few devotees undertake it. Most perform the Rudra Parikrama.
8. Duration of a circumambulation about River Narmada
Circumambulation period of River Narmada extends from Kartik shukla paksha dwadashi (twelfth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik) to Ashadh shukla paksha dashami (tenth day of the bright fortnight of Hindu lunar month of Ashadh). Later in Chaturmas (four Holy months of Shravan, Bhadrapad, Ashwin and Kartik as per Hindu lunar calendar) from Ashadh shukla paksha ekadashi (Ashadhi ekadashi) to Kartik shukla paksha ekadashi (Kartiki ekadashi) circumambulation is discontinued as the river remains flooded in several places with rain water and the parikrama routes are closed. Hence devotees performing the ritual of circumambulation halt in ashrams of Saints on the banks of the Narmada during this period and restart it after Kartiki ekadashi. Those who are unable to walk circumambulate the river in a vehicle.
9. Various attractive forms of River Narmada
When performing circumambulation of River Narmada on foot you can see its various forms- its huge basin, its tranquil flow, its gushing waters, its aggression and sometimes its flow in seven streams between seven rocks.
10. Different spiritual experiences
when circumambulating River Narmada
Circumambulating River Narmada is a storehouse of different spiritual experiences. The one performing it with faith and dedication receives spiritual experiences as deserving.
A. Spiritual experience of her nurturing one just like a mother.
B. Sometimes she unleashes her wrath and even punishes but soon shows the right path.
C. When you lose your way during the circumambulation if you chant the mantra ‘Narmade Har’ loudly with devotion then you most certainly meet someone who guides you.
11.Circumambulation of River Narmada
is a university of Spirituality teaching how to live life
During this circumambulation you meet people from all walks of life, speaking different languages, with differing temperaments, sometimes young, sometimes old, ascetics, Saints etc. from whom you can learn a lot. From some you experience unconditional love and may have to take insults from some. As for me during this circumambulation I learnt how to overcome habits from home and to live in a different environment, how to face every incident with poise and to keep the mind involved more and more in chanting and contemplation. After completion It certainly helps in your future life journey.
12. Though sattvik thoughts,
determination of the mind and intellect and
sacrifice are essential for undertaking a circumambulation
of River Narmada it is accomplished only with the grace of a Guru
No matter where the Narmada circumambulation commences it culminates at Omkareshwar. Several thinkers after performing circumambulation themselves have written the experiences in the form of a book. They help as well. What is most important in this is the wish of Mother Narmada and blessings of Sadguru. It becomes possible to undertake a circumambulation only due to your merits from past births and blessings from elders. Besides sattvik thoughts, determination of the mind and intellect, sacrifice and grace of the Guru are absolutely essential to achieve this 1200 kilometre long circumambulation of River Narmada.
Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat
13. Narmada who liberates one from
the cycle of birth and death and gives eternal happiness!
There is a mysterious meaning hidden in the name ‘Narmada’. ‘Narma’ means happiness and ‘Da’ means giver, meaning ‘Narmada is the giver of eternal happiness by freeing everyone from the cycle of birth and death and from bondage.’
14. Narmada is also known as ‘Reva’
Narmada flows through the huge mountain ranges of Satpuda, and Vindhyachal, as well as cutting through many small and big mountains, flowing and dancing and making ‘rav-rav’ sound; That is why she got the name ‘Reva’.
15. Narmada means mother of the World!
In a way Narmada is mother of the world. She takes all her children under the cover of her divine love and feeds nectar of knowledge to her infants and children.
16. Narmada River manifested (appeared)
on the day of Magh Shukla Paksha Saptami (Rath Saptami)
As the Narmada Devi (River) manifested (appeared) on the day of Magh Shukla Paksha Saptami (Rath Saptami), this day is celebrated with great enthusiasm on the banks of river Narmada.
Since the mother and father who gave birth to Narmada is actually the god of gods, that is Mahadev (Shiv), even God Brahma cannot describe Shri Narmada, than how can others describe her? Mother Narmada who manifested on the day Magh Shukla Paksha Saptami (Rath Saptami) and so this day is celebrated with great enthusiasm on the banks of Narmada.
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