Different Tirthas of Vastrapatha Kshetra

Vastrapatha Kshetra: Different Tirthas of Vastrapatha Kshetra:

(Girnar Mahatmya)

• Meditation: I meditate on the different Tirthas of the Vastrapatha Kshetra.

Lord Shiva

• About Vastrapatha Kshetra: King Gaja asked sage Bhadra about Vastrapatha Kshetra. The sage replied:
- Vastrapatha Kshetra is surrounded by sea and contains many towns.
- There is a mountain named Ujiyanta near Bhavanatha.
- To the west of the Ujiyanta mountain is the Raivataka mountain. From the golden peak of the Raivataka mountain rises river Swarnarekha. The summits of the mountains look like huge elephants. The song of the birds amuse the pilgrims.
- Many persons dig mines to get metals there.
- Nala, Nriga, Nahusha, Yayati, Dhundumara, Bharata, and Bhagiratha have performed sacrifices there and attained everlasting celestial happiness.
- River Swarnarekha has its origin in Patala. The king of serpents come from Patala there through the channel of the river to worship Lord Damodara.
- Samba, Pradyumna and other Yadavas dwell there along with their wives and children and protect the kshetra.
- Near the Damodara Kunda, there is a kunda constructed by Revati (Revati Kunda).
- There is another kunda known as Brahma Kunda where Lord Damodara comes to bathe every noon.
- Around Raivataka is a kshetra known as Antargraha Kshetra which is of great sacredness. Its water possesses the property of dissolving bones (of dead bodies) and hence is termed as Viliyaka. Many ascetics dwell there and perform austerities to attain salvation.

King Gaja then visited the Vastrapatha Kshetra along with his wife around the full moon in the month of Kartika. After bathing there the king visited the Bhavantha and Damodara. A heavenly chariot came there and the king ascended to heaven.

• About Antargraha Kshetra: Devi Parvati then asked Lord Shiva about the boundaries of the Antargraha Kshetra. Lord Shiva said that:
- The Antargraha Kshetra extends from river Swarnarekha, which lies to the east of Karnakunja to the Ujiyanta mountain.
- The sacred places in the kshetra are: Damodara, Bhavanatha, Swarnarekha, Brahma Kunda, Brahmeshwara, Gangeshewara, Kalamegha, Indreshwara, Raivataka mountain, Ujiyanta mountain, Revati Kunda, Kubhishwara, Bhima Kunda and Bhimeshwara.

• Directions for pilgrims visiting the Vastrapatha Kshetra: Lord Shiva gives the following directions:
- Unnavishka mountain: This mountain lies to the west of the Vastrapatha Kshetra. Bhima had killed giant Unnaka there. In that mountain there is a cavity which goes upto Patala. There are many Shiva Lingas, sixteen seats of saints and various gold mines. The pilgrim should visit this place.
- Ganga Stotra: The pilgrim should then go to Ganga Stotra which lies to the west of Mangala mountain and bathe there. The pilgrim should then bow down to Gangeshwara Mahadeva and perform shraddha there.
- Siddheshwara Mahadeva and others: The pilgrim should then visit Siddheshwara Mahadeva, Chakra Tirtha, Lokeshwara and Indreshwara.
- Yaksheshwari: The pilgrim should then visit goddess Yaksheshwari in Yakshavan which also lies to the west of Mangala mountain.
- Damodara and others: The pilgrim should then proceed towards Raivataka mountain and bathe in Revati Kunda and Bhima Kunda. Then they should have the darshan of Lord Damodara.
- Mrigi and others: The pilgrim should then bathe in Mrigi and other kundas.
- Ascending the Ujayanta mountain: The pilgrim should then ascend the Ujayanta mountain. The pilgrim should visit Amba Devi, Hathipaglan, Rasakupika, Satkunda, Gaumukha Ganga. The pilgrim should visit the shrines of Pradyumna and other Yadavas who have become Buddhas in Kali age.

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