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APPEARANCE OF NARMADA ON PRITHVI
We all know the story of sacred Ganga and why was she bought to Prithvi by Bhagirath. But very few people know about the equal sanctity of river Narmada and how did she come on Prithvi.
We all know the story of sacred Ganga and why was she bought to Prithvi by Bhagirath. But very few people know about the equal sanctity of river Narmada and how did she come on Prithvi.
In fact Rishi Markandeya built his Ashram on Narmada banks and it was here when the Rishi was sitting in the company of sages like Pulastya, Vashishtha, Bhrigu, Kashyap, Bharadwaj, Marichi, Atri etc that Yudhisthir came for a visit with his brothers.
After paying obeisance to the Rishi's, he asked Rishi Markandeya as to why he preferred staying at Narmada instead of Ganga & Yamuna. So the rishi narrated to him the reason of his preference and the sanctity of Narmada.There were 3 reason's why Narmada was brought in Prithvi lok
Reason 1)
There lived a very benevolent king of religious inclination, named Pururava. Once,while sitting in his Court and talking to the learned Brahmins, he asked them as to what should he done to bring the Swarg like sanctity on Prithvi.
There lived a very benevolent king of religious inclination, named Pururava. Once,while sitting in his Court and talking to the learned Brahmins, he asked them as to what should he done to bring the Swarg like sanctity on Prithvi.
The Brahmins replied in unison that bringing the river Narmada would be the most ideal choice for this purpose. So Pururava set out and prayed for thousands of years to Shiva eating only the roots and herbs available in the forest.
Shiva, Being Ashutosh appeared before him to give a boon. So immediately Pururava asked for Narmada to be bought down to Prithvi. Although Shiva declined this but had to relent due to the consistent demand of Pururava. Narmada was called,
but she posed a question that since she would come down in great speed, who would bear the load of her appearance. So Shiva summoned eight mountains and asked them this question. It was Vindhya who replied that his son Paryank could be of use as he was very strong and capable.
So the daughter of Maikal mountains Narmada, came down speedily on earth nearly drowning the whole region. People were in distress. Then the devtas prayed to her to limit her flow. She then gathered her water and started flowing in a limited space.
Pururava was the first to touch her water and was immediately granted Moksha whenever he would face death. Even his family and forefathers were granted Moksha.
As per Skanda Puran, A dip in river Saraswati purifies you in three days, A dip in Ganga and Yamuna purifies you immediately but even a single glimpse of Narmada is enough to purify you. You get the benefit of Ashwamedha Yagya.
Reason 2:-
Then there is a similar story of King Hiranyatej who too had performed a similar feat to bring the Narmada on earth, specifically Udyachal Vindhya. The Pitar's or forefathers were thirsty and hungry since the land had become dry and barren due to lack of rivers.
Then there is a similar story of King Hiranyatej who too had performed a similar feat to bring the Narmada on earth, specifically Udyachal Vindhya. The Pitar's or forefathers were thirsty and hungry since the land had become dry and barren due to lack of rivers.
So King Hiranyatej prayed to Shiva and Narmada came on Earth.
Reason 3:-
Then there is a story of marriage of Narmada to King Purukutsu. It so happened that Purukutsu's tapasya to Shiva bought the Narmada to earth, but before touching the earth's surface,
Reason 3:-
Then there is a story of marriage of Narmada to King Purukutsu. It so happened that Purukutsu's tapasya to Shiva bought the Narmada to earth, but before touching the earth's surface,
Narmada declared her desire to marry someone from earth. The sages discussed this amongst themselves and told her to marry King Purukutsu, As they could not think of anyone else as capable and pious as him.
As such wherever the Narmada flows,the place acquires sanctity but there are more than 50 Tirth places on Narmada banks. It was here that Rishi Bhrigu wrote his famous Karunahriday strotram which provides Moksha just by reciting it.
Some of the other holy places are Anantpur, Varangana, Bhaskar tirth and Bhrigu tirth.
Source-Skanda puran
Source-Skanda puran
