Sri Rama visiting Anga

Anga: Sri Rama hearing about Lord Shiva burning Kama deva:

(Valmiki Ramayana - Bala Kanda - 23 to 24)

• Meditation:: I meditate on Sri Rama visiting Anga at the confluence of rivers Ganga and Sarayu and seeing the hermitages of sages who were practicing penance for many thousands of years.

• Sri Rama hearing about Lord Shiva burning Kama deva:: When Sri Rama enquired about the hermitages, sage Vishwamitra told about the legend of Lord Shiva burning Kama deva in that place. When Lord Shiva was meditating there, Kama deva disturbed his meditation. Lord Shiva in anger burnt Kama deva to ashes with the fire of his third eye. Since Kama deva became bodiless he came to be known as Ananga (meaning bodiless), and the place came to be known as Anga. The hermitages belonged to the disciples of Shiva who have become sinless (by their long penance).

• Sri Rama spending a night at Anga: Sri Rama spent that night in a hermitage at Anga. The sages welcomed them.

• Sri Rama hearing about the Ganga - Sarayu confluence: Next morning, Sri Rama, Lakshmana and sage Vishwamitra boarded a boat and started crossing the river. In the mid-stream was heard a loud sound of clashing waters. Sage Vishwamitra told that the sound was due to river Sarayu merging with river Ganga. Vishwamitra also told that river Sarayu originates from Lake Manasa in Mount Kailasha, hence it is a holy river. Sri Rama and Lakshmana offered salutations to both these holy rivers.

- Sri Rama hearing about Lord Shiva burning Kama deva at Anga
- Ballia Kameshwar Dham (Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh)