SRI PURI DHAM MAHATMYA-MUKTA-MALA

(7) Mahaprabhu’s Journey to Puri: Bhuvaneshwar
(Bindu Sarovar, Sri Ananta Vasudev)

There is a very big story related to this place.

A very long time ago, Parvati heard from her husband’s holy mouth that on the earth there was a place that was far more charming than even Kailash in Kashi. When she heard it, she became eager to have the darshan of that place. When she arrived, she saw that the place was indeed more beautiful and charming than Kailash. So, she stayed here as a gopi (milkmaid) for fifteen years.

One day, two demons came to the forest. When they saw Parvati, they were taken aback. They approached her and said, ‘What a beautiful girl! What are you doing here?’ Seeing them, Parvati got scared and prayed to her husband. Mahadev Sivji Maharaj immediately came to her. When he heard what the naughty men had said, he told Parvati Devi, ‘They got such a boon from the gods that they cannot be killed by any weapon. By the will of the Lord, you have to slay them yourself, but do not worry, I will tell you how to do it.’

Then, Parvati Devi came to the demons and said, ‘I will fulfil your desire, but I have one condition. I will become a wife to the one of you who can carry me on his shoulder.’ The two demons started fighting over who of them would carry Parvati Devi on his shoulder. Since they could not decide it, Parvati Devi kept one leg on one demon’s shoulder and the other leg on the other demon’s shoulder, and then she made herself so heavy and pressed on them so hard that she killed both demons under her weight.

After killing the demons, Parvati Devi felt very tired and suddenly became very thirsty. Sivji Maharaj came and made a pond for her, but Parvati Devi said, ‘I will only drink water from an eternally manifest pond!’ Then, Sivji Maharaj collected drops (bindu) of water from every holy place and placed them in that pond (sarovar). This is how the pond got its name Bindu Sarovar. This pond was created by Lord Sivji Maharaj himself.

When all gods, including Lord Brahma, bathed in this pond, then Sivji Maharaj prayed to the Lord, ‘O Lord, O Purusottam! Please give me Your permission to stay here, on the bank of this pond, near Ananta Vasudev.’ Hearing Sivji Maharaj’s prayer, Lord Ananta Vasudev fulfilled His dear devotee’s desire and came to stay on the bank of this pond as the guardian (Ksetrapal) and Sivji Maharaj left Kashi and came to live here.

From that time, bhoga is first offered to Sri Ananta Vasudev, and then Sivji Maharaj takes His prasad. This ancient temple of Sri Ananta Vasudev exists to this day. Those who bathe in this Bindu Sarovar attain liberation as bathing in this pond equals to bathing in the ponds of all holy places. The result of taking the darshan of Lord Sri Ananta Vasudev is boundless.

So, coming to this dear pond of Lord Siva, Mahaprabhu bathed in it and after that came to the temple of Sri Bhuvaneshwar Ananta Vasudev. He danced and chanted kirtan in front of it.

Jay Sri Ananta Vasudev ki jay.

Sri Bindu Sarovar.

The holy temple of Lord Ananta Vasudev.

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