Monday, June 27, 2011

The science behind Amarnath Yatra and Katha

Amarnath cave was chosen by Lord Shiva for narrating the secrets of immortality and creation of Universe to Parvati. In 2011 the Yatra starts from starts from29th June to 13th August.
Most of us have heard of Rishi Munis doing deep meditation (tap) and getting spiritual realizations. What about a common man who does not want to become Muni or Rishi. For him the only way is doing a daily 20 minutes meditation and undertaking off and on spiritual journeys for self purification. Amarnath Yatra is one of them. Others are Viashno Devi Yatra,  Mini Char Dhaam Yatra, Chaar Dham Yatra etc.
Each spiritual retreat or journey requires a spiritual frame of mind and a commitment of 7-10 days for self purification. Most spiritual destinations are located at up into mountains firstly to provide a pollution free environment and secondly a difficult travel so that nobody can reach the destination before 7-10 days. This 7-10 days travel helps in controlling the mind, intellect and ego and getting rid of the desires, attachments, greed, tamas and rajas. On the way as one is travelling alone without carrying his worldly attachments he or she invariably reaches the destination in a positive state of mind and when one meditates at the place of final destination one experience spiritual insights which inspire one to come out of worldly worries and provides one the path for future living and answers the unanswered questions.     
The Amarnath Story
Once Parvati asked Shiva to let her know why and when he started wearing the beads of heads (Mund Mala). Shiva said whenever you are born I add one more head in my beads. Parvati said,” My Lord, my body is destroyed every time and I die again and again, but you are Immortal. Please let me know the secret of this." Shiva replied that it is due to Amar Katha."
Spiritual Significance
The spiritual significance of the above is, that here Shiva represents the Soul and Parvati the Body. The soul never dies and is immortal. The soul is the energized filed of information and in computer language is like the web of energized information. Every time any work is done (sanskara) a copy of the same is kept in the memory in both the soul and the spirit.
The further part of the story is the katha or the process of doing meditation and its benefits
The story
 “Parvati insisted that she may be told that secret.  For long Shiva continued postponing.  Finally on consistent demand He made up his mind to tell the immortal secret. He started for lonely place where no living being could listen it. He chose Amarnath Cave.”
Spiritual Significance
For learning to meditate the first principle is dedication and persistence.  Second is silence or a place with no internal and external disturbance. In asthanga yoga it is called Pratyahara ( the withdrawal of senses).
The story
“Shiva left His Nandi (The Bull)  at Pahalgam or Bail Gaon; his moon from his hairs (jatha) at Chandanwari; his snake at the banks of Lake Sheshnag; his Son Ganesha at Mahagunas Parvat (Mahaganesh Hill ) and his five elements at  Panjtarni. As a symbol of sacrificing the earthly world. Shiva and Parvati  had Tandav Dance . After leaving behind all these, Shiva enters the Holy Amarnath Cave along with Parvati. Lord Shiva takes his Samadhi on the Deer Skin and concentrate.

Spiritual Significance
In process of meditation one first gets rid of desires (Nandi or the mind), discriminating or analyzing the thoughts power (moon or the intellect) and ego (snake). Once that is done one is away from the worldly desires totally (Ganesh and the five elements). Now the body is in symphony with the soul (Tandava dance)
The story
To ensure that no living being is able to hear the Immortal Tale, Shiva created Rudra named Kalagni and ordered him to spread fire to eliminate every living thing in and around the Holy Cave. After this He started narrating the secret of immortality to Parvati. But as a matter of chance one egg which was lying beneath the Deer skin remained protected. It is believed to be non living and more over it was protected by Shiva -Parvati Asan (Bed). The pair of pigeons which were born out of this egg became immortal  having listened the secret  of immortality (Amar Katha). 
Spiritual Significance
It again signifies the importance of undisturbed state of mind at the time of meditation. Fire indicates the internally meditation generated spiritual fire or agni which burns all the negative thoughts and negative energies. The egg of the pigeon indicates that spiritual knowledge can transform at the level DNA. It also tells us that those who are sitting near the meditating persons also get benefitted.
About the author: Dr Aggarwal is Padmashri and Dr C Roy National Awardee and writes science behind spirituality. He is a senior consultant physician and cardiologist at Moolchnad Medcity Delhi ( He also writes in facebook or twitter.com/DrKKAggarwal or www.kkaggarwal.com/www.emedinews.in)

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