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| Lord Vishnu deity in the temple at Dhruva Teela |
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| Dhruv Teela |
During my last visit to India, I visited Madhuvan, the forest near Mathura.Madhuvan is one of the 12 forests of Vraja Mandala,situated towards the western side of river Yamuna.This is a very special forest area with many interesting references in the scriptures. Although, today the forest area is reduced to a bare minimum, may be about 50 Acres, the place (Now a small Village) still has some magical charm to it.After visiting the temple and taking darshan of the deity of Lord Vishnu,we stepped on to explore the forest. There are a number of Peacocks and some small cottages, Huts where some Babaji’s live.We entered the residence of one of the Babaji’s, who had few Cows, I looked around nervously to see if there is any sign-boards like, ‘Keep off, private property. Trespassers will be prosecuted, or something similar. However, there was nothing like that and our Guide, Radha Charan Prabhu being a local was quite at ease and patting the Cows there remarked to the old man relaxing on a Cot ‘Beautiful Cows Babaji, are these yours?.’ And, the old Babaji got up and with folded hands said ‘Nothing is mine.They all belong to Tagore ji(Lord Krishna)’.
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| Walking around in the forest |
Srimad Bhagavatam describes the pastime of Dhruva Maharaj in Satya Yuga, who at the tender age of five, left home in anger.He wanted to sit on the lap of his father while his step brother is already sitting.His step mother immediately stopped him saying that to gain the eligibility to sit on your father’s lap, you should be born as a son to me.Angry and humiliated Dhruva went to his mother and told her that – as a revenge, he wanted to get a bigger kingdom than that of his father or anyone else in the world. His mother advised him that only Lord Vishnu can fulfil his desire and it is said that Lord gives his vision to people who worship him undergoing severe penances in the forests.
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| Selfie in the forest |
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| Forest Walk |
Then Dhruv left home and on his way met Narada Rishi on his way. Narada Rishi took pity on the boy and advised him to go back. But, upon seeing determination of the young Prince, Narada Rishi gave his blessings and advised him to go to Madhuvan forest,perform his tapasya there.He also gave initiation and the mantra ‘Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya’ to Dhruva.Interestingly, Narada Rishi gave a wonderful description of the appearance, features of how the Supreme God looks like and instructs Dhruva to meditate on this form of Lord Vishnu and not on any light or other forless aspects of God.
So there is a Hillock famously known as Dhruva Teela,the place where he performed his Tapasya meditation and attained the darshan, vision of lord Vishnu known as Prsni Garbha.Today, there is a small temple with deity of Lord Vishnu exists. There is also a Shiva Linga and a stone inscription by a sadhu who centuries old, which glorifies the power of this place and how he also performed the tapasya and had darshan of the Lord Vishnu.As instructed by Narada Rishi, Dhruva practiced controlling of Breath – Pranayama, Astanga yoga, devotional service and worship of Lord Vishnu for six months.
Bhagavatam explains that when Dhruva Maharaj performed tapasya or austerities, deity worship, devotional service, chanting the mantra given by Narada Rishi Lord Vishnu appeared and awarded him the kingdom of Dhruva Loka, which is famously called as Pole Star, which is the brightest star visible in the sky.
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| Entrance to the cave of Lavanasura |
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| Cave of Lavanasura |
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| Dhruv Teela |
Then there is also a small temple of Shatrughna, the brother of Lord Rama,who made his capital in Madhuvan.There is a small temple and Deity of Satrughna.Then, there is Krishna Kund which was made by Krishna striking his flute on the ground. There is also a cave in which the demon Lavanasura lived and who was killed by Satrughna.You can visit the cave of the demon Lavanasura today which was of course built with steps and walls, so that people can go and visit the place.Probably, this is the only place where there is a temple for Shatrugna (I thought but, later found out that there is one more temple for Shatrugna. Bharat and Shatrugna are the two demigods known as Ashwini Kumaras incarnated in human form).
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| Deity of Lord Shatrugna with his wife |
It is also said that during the time of Lord Krishna’s pastimes on earth, this used to be the pasturing ground for his cows.Lord Krishna, as Gopal would bring His cows for grazing to the forest of Madhuvan and would have His cows drink the cool nectarine waters of Madhu Kunda also known as Krishna Kunda in Madhuvan.It is said that during the time of Krishna, Madhuvan was filled with Kalpavriksha trees covered with the most nectarine bee hives which would produce the sweetest Madhu (honey) in all the creation for the pleasure of Krishna. Therefore this forest came to be known as Madhuvan and Krishna would perform the sweet pastime of Rasa Leela with the Gopis on the banks of Madhu Kunda in the autumn season.
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| Temple of Dauo Ji – Lord Balaram |
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| Dauo Ji – Balaram appearing in Black Complexion |
There is also a temple of Balarama who is known as Dauo ji(Elder Brother) and the speciality of Balaram here is that instead of white color, here the deities complexion is black. The reason for which is explained that,Once while extolling the beautiful qualities of Krishna to the Gopis, in order to pacify their feelings of separation after Krishna’s departure from Vrindavan, Balaram ji Himself became so absorbed in thoughts of Krishna that His complexion turned blackish.Dauji is the village deity and we have also visited this temple and took darshan and blessings of Dauji. I went into a local village shop and bought some Mishri (sugar candy) and Yoghurt and offered them to Dauji because, apparently you should never go to a temple empty handed.
