nIcEties of TheErtHa yaAtra - pIlgrimage

Theertha kshethras have eternal presence of the Supreme God SriManNaaraayana... 

Theertha is a holy place of pilgrimage since time immemorial. Theerthas are seldom anonymous places. They all have their unique character and ambience. These places are the living symbols of tradition and culture of history.

Sthala purana, Kshetra Mahatmya, speaks about a particular place or Theertha, its significance, culture and traditions in that place.

They have gained prominence depending on the merits of Theertha or the deity or the saint associated with.

These places are used by the great sages for their spiritual activities which are evident from the sthala puranas.

A pilgrimage is a Theertha Yatra and a pilgrim is a theerthayatri, the place where the Theertha is located is called Theertha Kshetra or Theertha Sthala.

Theertha Yathra should not become a customary like visit to a picnic spot. Having spent money one may have the satisfaction of completing a pilgrimage (Theertha Yathra). But in reality it is not worthwhile without understanding its correct meaning and significance.

Theertha kshethras have eternal presence of the Supreme God SriManNaaraayana.... How?

In simple language Theertha means sacred water and Theertha sthala or Theertha Kshetra is a sacred or a holy spot. It could be a river, a lake, or an ocean, or even a mountain that is made sacred through association with a deity or a saint.

Water element of Theertha is associated with Lord SriMann Narayana indicating all pervasive nature of the supreme God as that of an ocean in which the never ending movement of birth, life and death of cosmos occurs.

The word Naara in NaAraayana is also associated with another meaning for water. Naaraayana means the one whose abode is water. NaAraayana according to this etymology is the one who moves (floats) in the infinite waters and is also the water itself, the one who lives in water.

This close association of NaAraayana the supreme God with water explains the significance behind a Theertha. That means He is eternally present in all the Theerthas.

NaAraayana also means the conveyance or the sole vehicle for the human beings to depend upon for their ultimate journey of salvation.

NaAraayana is the one who shows direction to the mankind towards the ultimate reality.

That means Theertha the place where Lord SriManNarayana resides in the form of water is a place of direction to the human beings towards liberation of the soul from the cycle of birth and death.

Water mentioned should not be construed as mere water. Before creation of the Universe everything was in the form of water and the one and the only all pervasive energy which was present in the very beginning is one that is referred to as water in this context and the all pervasive energy was Lord SriManNarayana.

Theertha is one of the attributes of Lord Vishnu who is "TheErthakaraH" (Sri Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram sloka # 74); He is SarvaTheerthaAtmaka;

Lord Vishnu is ever pure, auspicious and the one who sanctifies the Theerthas with His eternal presence; He is the energy Pushkara the one who nourishes/gives pushti to the Theerthas;

Theertha also means a Preceptor; Lord Vishnu is the first spiritual Guru of the Universe; Who, as Hamsanaamaka Paramaatma passed on the the divine Vedic knowledge to Lord Brahma that percolated down through a sacred lineage of divine preceptors who are also called Theertha;

Especially in Madhva philosophy we find Ascetics who are also preceptors having suffix to their Aasrama naAma the word TheErtha indicating purity, sanctity, auspiciousness and knowledge;

We have several divine preceptors who lived up to its reputation as THEERTHA starting with Sri Aananda Theertharu (Sri Madhvacharya); followed by stalwarts like Padmanabha Theertharu, Narahari Theertharu, Jaya Theertharu, Sri VyasaTheertharu, Sri Vadiraja Theertharu, Sri Raghavendra Theertharu to quote a few....

Theertha Yathra is of no avail if a person does not lead a moral life.

One who doesn't have sraddha on Theertha-Yathra,
One who is a Paapi,
One who is a Nastik;
One who doubts Theertha Mahima;
one who is a HetuVaadi
will never reap the benefits/phala from Theertha-Yaathra;

"anyakshetre kritam papam;punyakshetre vinashyati;
punyakshetre kritam papam;vajralepo bhavishyati;

Sins committed at other places is destroyed in a holy place, but the sins committed in a holy place (Theertha Kshetra) becomes firmly attached."

Therefore one should understand the concept and significance Theertha while doing Theertha Yaathra and utilize the opportunity and it should be a saadhana for self upliftment and spiritual progress.

With this background (focus on the eternal presence of Hari sarvottama) if a Theertha Yaathra is made; it will help the pilgrims to cleanse their inner selves, wash out their evil tendencies and open up before them a path or a direction for righteous living.

While going to a Theertha one must remember that it is meant for self refinement and self upliftment. Pilgrimage is for introspection; practice of penance and selfless service and for resolving to strive for an enlightened future.

Theertha Yaathra is one of the important components in the life of a SaAdhaka. Several eminent Madhva Yathis starting from Sri MadAachaAryaRu, Jayatheertharu, Sri VyasaRajaru, Sri VadiRajaru, Sri GuruRaayaru to quote a few have lived by example undertaking Theertha Yatra and reiterated its significance.

Theertha Prabhandha composed by Sri VadiRajaru is a remarkable work/guide on Pilgrimage where He has described/extolled the glory, significance and merits of the well known pilgrim centres giving intimate account of each shrine he visited and its presiding deity consecrated there.

Theertha Prabhandha an outstanding travelogue authored by Sri VadiRajaru in four well organized chapters called Prabhandhas (geographically divided) is a unique guide for Yatris.

Theertha Vidhi is a part of Theertha Yathra. Though different walks of people follow different customs and traditions while visiting a Theertha Kshetra,some of the Vidhi uniformly followed are....

> TheErtha SnaAna; 

> Theertha Darshana;

> TheErtha Mundana;

> TheErtha SraAddha;

> TheErtha DaAna;

> Theertha VratHa;

> TheErtha Sravana/Paarayana (listening to the stories of Lord Sri Hari)

Observing Theertha Vidhi is sacred, celestial and auspicious that yields lot of merits (phaladayaka), punyadayaka and also mukthidayaka. Performing Vedic rituals at Theertha Kshetra is infinitely more effective than performing at one’s home.

Visit to Theerthas and following Theertha vidhi is recommended as a remedy for many ills and sufferings. Theertha Yatra is an opportunity to the householder to detach himself for some time from worries and botherations of the materialistic daily life and to devote that time spiritually.

Theerthas are an integral part of our civilization and culture that has grown and spread along the banks of Theertha Kshethras. They have also played a significant role in the religious, philosophical/spiritual heritage of our country.

Hari Sarvottama - Vaayu Jeevottama
Sri GuruRaajo Vijayate