The Worshiping of The Lord Pashupatinath


THE HIMALAYAN BEACON [BEACON ONLINE]

BY DIRGHA RAJ PRASAI



Nepal is known pious land in the world. Hindu philosophy and its culture and tradition are the founder of world civilization. Hindu shrine Pashupatinath (Shiva) is the Lord of all Hindus. According to the Hindu Mythology, Lord Shiva (Pashupatinath) spent his most of his time on the top of the holy mount Kailas Mansharobar, practicing Yogic austere, joy and love with his divine consort Parbati (mother of mythology), The Lake Mansarowers and the holy mount Kailas are the soul of all OM followers in the world. The Lord Pashupathinath, Shoyambhunath, Lumbini, Barahachetra, Gosaikunda, Muktinath, Ridi, Janakidham, Devghat of Nepal, Kailash Mansarovar of Tibet (well accessed for Hindus and Buddhists), and Tirupati, Rameshroram, Jagannath, Badrinath, Amarnath, Kedarnath of India are the symbolic shrines of Hinduism & Buddhism. ‘Doleswar Mahadev (Lord Shiv) (Shipadol-Bhaktapur-Nepal) is the head portion of the Kedarnath (Lord Shiv). Shiv Puran also mentions It.’-(Shree 1008 Jagat Guru Bheemashankarling Shivacharya). Similarly, the Swayambhunath complex consists of a stupa, a variety of shrines and temples, some dating back to the Licchavi period. A Tibetan monastery, museum and library are more recent additions. The stupa has Buddha’s eyes and eyebrows painted on. Between them, there is something painted which looks like the nose- but is the Nepali symbol of ‘unity’. Pashupathinath, Shoyambhunath both are Hindus and Buddhists shrine place.
According to Hindu mythology, Shiva is worshipped as protector of all animals, including humans. The Nepalese and Indian Hindu men and women perform rituals for the Hindu god Lord Shiva- the god of destruction and creation. In Sivaratri, Axyatritiya, Janaipurnima, Tij and Sawan Mondays are most remarkable times in every year. The Sawan Mondays is considered as the holiest month of the year. In the time of Sawan the Hindu men and women wearing red attire as well as green and yellow bangles. They pray for their own country’s peace and stability and the long and prosperous life for their husbands, sons-daughters and families. The young pray to achieve the good husband and wife. ‘Shiva is every where, he has left work for you, you have to work without expectation. ‘Shivaratri is celebrated with enthusiasm by the Hindus all over the world including Nepal and India. It is an important day for the followers of Lord Shiva. The celebrations are marked by fasting and the observance of a number of rituals. On the festival, as many as six types of Abhisheks (purifying) can be witnessed, each using milk, ghee, sugar, honey, water and sandalwood paste.

We pray to the Lord Shiva, as – ‘OM! O Shiva! We worship and adore you, O three-eyed one, You are sweet gladness, the fragrance of life, who nourishes us, restores our health, and causes us to thrive. As, in due time, the stem of the cucumber weakens, and the gourd is freed from the vine, so free us from attachment and death, and do not withhold immortality.’

The Lord Pashupatinath Temple sits on a sacred river on the edge of Bagmati, Kathmandu the Bagmati River which runs next to Pashupatinath Temple have highly sacred properties. Thus the banks are lined with many Ghats for use by pilgrims. There are 108 Siva temples around this area. The Bagmati River is a river of Nepal its flows through the Kathmandu valley and is the river separating Kathmandu from Lalitpur. It is considered a holy river both by Hindus and Buddhists. A number of Hindu temples are located on the banks of this river. The complex rises up from the bank amid a mass of pagoda- style buildings. The temple moves to ancient rhythms. And one of its many traditions has been to recruit its priests from Brahmins from far-away south India. In 1746 AD Pratap Malla the King of Kathmandu came in touch of Kartatac and King and appointed Gyanananda & Lambakarna as priests of Pashupatinath. They were Tantriks (having mystic power). Till now, there are four Bhatta priests & 106 Newars as Bhandaris (store keepers & protectors) Bhandaris are chronologically important. The Bhandaris are the traditional temple caretakers of the temple. Only those born in Devpatan, the Pashupati area are entitled for worshiping lord Pashupatinath. Bhandaris are the owners of their houses.

Pashupati area is regarded as one of the most important places of pilgrimages for the followers of Hinduism. Thousands of devotees from within and outside the country come to pay homage to Pashupatinath every day. And on special occasions like Ekadasi, Sankranti, Mahashivratri, Teej Akshaya, Rakshabandhan, Grahana (eclipse), Poornima (Full moon day) the whole atmosphere turns festive and mirthful as people congregate here in a far greater number. During the Shivaratri (also spelled Shivratri) festival Pashupatinath temple is lit with ghee lamps throughout the night and the temple remains open all night. Thousands of devotees take ritual baths in the Bagmati River on the day of the festival and observe a fast for the whole day. Hundreds of Sadhus (sages) from different parts of Nepal and India come here on the occasion of Maha Shivaratri.

The area of Pashupatinath imcompasses 264 hectre of land including 518 temples and monuments. We want to protect and safeguard the heritage. The Rajbhandaris must be reinstated. The decision done by Maoist must be scraped out. Maoist followed the villainous part as played by Samasuddin from Bangal having a force of thirty one thousand Muslims plundering and destroying the faith and trust of Hindu & Buddhist in Bikram Era 1400. The last Licchivi regime was very weak. There was a great chaos after the Muslims attack. To save the regime from such a dreadful situation Jayasthiti Malla, the Ksha King having cooperation and assistance from kings of Palpa, Kaski, Gorkha and Lamjung, attacked vigorously on Muslim army. Thirty thousand and four hundred soldiers were killed and almost six hundred fled away. It is carved and can be seen in Bhatapur Taleju temple. Then, Jayasthiti Malla ascended the throne of Kathmandu and reconstructed the temple and constructed the Rama temple across the Bagmati river and established Kumbheshwar Mahadev and performed Kotihom ( oblation for one Crore over the sacred fire) He laid the strict rule regarding the entrance for the Hindus & Buddhists only. This is inviolable. But, now the Bagmati River is dirty and can be smelled well before it comes into sight. So, at any rate, it should be non-dirty. Now, the artificial problem has created to minimize the pious land by Christians. It is wrong for Christians to use the Sleshmantak Forest to dispose of their dead. As a member of the Nath Yogi Community have been burring there. As the Nepali society is passing through the so-called ‘transitional phase. We, the Hindus all over the world have the courage to call spade a spade.

King Jyotirmalla writes in stone inscription- ‘about Pashupatinath in 1465 Bs, lord Pashupatinath having five mouths along with worship able Bashuki the holy serpent. King Pratap Malla was famous in stone tablets. Prithvinarayan shah the great, worshipped lord Pashupatinath doing his integration of Kingdom. It is stated in Lingua Bambshabali. Prithbinarayan Shah had got carved in Basantapur Place in 1826 Bs after his Victory over Kathmandu valley-’ lord Pashupatinath & Goddess Guheshwari may bless Nepal for keeping sovereignty and stability along with Shah popular Regime. Royal seals were attached regarding the worship of Lord Pashupatinath by King Ranabahadur Shah, King Mahendra, King Birendra and King Gyanendra as well. Since 1979 UNESCO has kept this core area as a world heritage. It encompasses four hector of land as a very sensitive area. Let this government be away from imposing political interference over Hindus & Buddhists. The decision done in contravention of all the rules & the regulations regarding the Pashupatinath worship is scraped immediately. So, this is the high time to be conscious, unite to protect the identities of Hindus, Buddhists in all over the world.

source;Shri Barun Roy