Badrinath - “Narada Kshetram” / More

Badrinath is also called “Narada Kshetram” since Narada Muni attained lord here in five days

Narad Kund - Badrinath
A holy site from where Adi Sankara recovered the idol of lord Vishnu, Narad Kund is one of the most revered centers in Badrinath. It is a recess in the Alakananda river and is naturally sheltered by a rock with projecting angles. This prevents the flow of the water current and provides suitable surroundings for a nice bath. Water in Narada Kund is so hot that it would not be advisable to take long baths in the pond.
The devotees usually take holy dip in the kund before they venture for a holy darshan. The scenic beauty and the mythical tales that encircle the place make it a popular tourist as well as religious spots in Badrinath.

Saints and Acharyas
Gautama Rishi, Kapila, and Kasyapa are said to have come here
Sankaracharya visited here some 1,225 years ago; Ramanujacharya visited 955 years ago; and Madhvacharya visited twice about 735 years ago.

Panch Shilas
Narada, Narasimha, Varaha, Garuda, and Markandeya—are located by Tapta Kund. They are large rocks near the river.

Deity Description and Visit

Lord Badrinath is sitting meditating in the padmasana (lotus yogic posture). As you look at the Deities, standing to the right side of Badrinarayana is Uddhava. To the far right side are Nara and Narayana. Narada Muni is kneeling in front on the right side and is difficult to see. On the left side are Kubera, the god of wealth, and a silver Ganesh. Garuda is kneeling in front, to the left of Badri¬narayana.

Within the temple enclosure, to the left of the main temple building, is a separate shrine dedicated to Lakshmi Devi and the Gaddi (sitting place) of Adi Sankaracharya, just outside the exit door of the temple. The Lakshmi Temple is painted red in front. The temple dedicated to Sankaracharya is said to mark his sitting place while he was in Badrinath.

The temple is open six months of the year, May to October. The priests of the temple perform their worship (puja) in Joshimath, 50km south, the rest of the year. Before they close the temple in November, they perform one last puja and leave the ghee lamps in the temple lit. Six months later, in the month of May, they return to open the temple and find the ghee lamps still lit. It is said that the great sage Narada Muni along with other demigods come during the winter months to carry on the worship. The temple priests are Nambudiri Brahmins from Kerala.

http://badrinathinfo.blogspot.in/

Sri Uddhava's Guru Rsi Narada

http://knowledgeperfection.blogspot.com/2012/01/his-guru.html

Shiva to Parvati

O Saints! It is a great pleasure for me to meet all of you. Kindly tell me a story.” asked Sri Krishna.

“O Sri Krishna! You are the chief of all Three Lokas. There is nothing not known to you in these three Lokas.” said those saints.

“O Saints! For the present, I am a human being born to a human being. My mind also is in the same state. You should not forget that. Whatever you say now, is unknown to me. Is it not?” said Sri Krishna.

“O Sri Krishna! Narada is fit and eligible to tell anything to you. Hence Narada will tell a story.” said those saints. Then Narada told them the conversation between Maheswara and Uma Devi.

While going round this universe, I once visited Himalaya mountains. Parameswara was sitting in a beautiful garden. He was surrounded by Pramadha Ganas, Devatas, Sidhas, Sadhyas, Vidyadharas, saints etc. I also went there and saluted Maheswara and sat on a suitable seat.

At that time, Parvati Devi came there and closed the eyes of Maheswars from behind with her hands. For this sudden action, the entire Universe plunged into darkness. The entire creation was annoyed. There was a great confusion. Parameswara opened his third eye. Flames emanated from the third eye burnt away the entire Himalaya Mountain range. Himalaya Mountain King was the father of Parvati. Hence she fell on the feet of Maheswara and sought for mercy. Parama Siva closed his third eye. He was very much delighted. The flames extinguished. Then Parvati asked Parama Siva thus:

“O Siva! why you opened your third eye and caused this disaster? Kindly tell me if it is not a secret.” asked Parvati.

“ O Parvati!There are no secrets not known to you. I am the master of this Universe. The entire Universe looks through my eyes. When you closed my eyes, I could not see. Hence the entire Universe could not see anything, resulting in complete darkness. The entire creation was frightened. To dispel the darkness without removing your hands, the only alternative is to open my third eye.” said Parama Siva.

“O Parama Siva! Why you have four faces?” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! in the past, there were two Rakshasas called Sundu and Upasundu. They possess great vigour, valour, mighty personalities. They are not killed with any weapon or Astra. To kill those Rakshasas, a human weapon was created by Maya. Her name was Tilottama. Maya brought her before me. She went round me. I looked at her from four sides. Hence I got four faces.” said Parama Siva.

“O Maha Siva! why your neck is black?” asked parvathi.

“ O Parvati! in the past, both divine bodies and Rakshasas churned the sea for Amrutha. First Haalahala was emanated. I swallowed and kept it in my throat. Hence my neck is black.” said Maha Siva.

“O Maha Siva! why you like Pinaka more than all other weapons.” asked Parvati.


“O Parvati! during Krita Yuga, Saint Kanva performed great Tapassu. Ant hills were grown on and around his body. One bamboo plant also had grown with good height and width. Brahma appeared before Kanva and blessed him with boons. Brahma made Sanga (a weapon made up of bamboo) to Vishnu, and Pinaka for me. With the remaining piece of bamboo, Brahma made Gaandeeva. As Brahma gave Pinaka to me, it is dearest of all weapons.” said Maha Siva.

“O Maheswara! while there are several animals in this creation, why you chose bull as your vehicle.” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! Once, while I was performing Tapassu, several cows were grazing around me, disturbing my Tapassu. I looked at them with anger. With my harsh looks, the cows frightened. Brahma intervened and pacified the matter. At that time, Brahma presented me a bull as my vehicle. Since then, bull was my vehicle.” said Parama Siva.

“O Siva! though there are several buildings equipped with comforts, why you are staying in burial grounds amidst skulls and bones, emanating foul smell.”asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! the cruel Bhootas, Pretas were destroying the man kind. Brahma requested me to retaliate their cruel actions. I also intended to save the man kind from Bhootas and Pretas. Hence I am staying in burial grounds which is the abode for Bhootas and Pretas. Besides that, saints craving for liberation like to meditate in burial grounds. Hence I stay in burial grounds.” said Maha Siva.

“But why you apply ashes to your body, wear Trishool and wear bones, skulls and snakes as ornaments. Why you appear so frightful and fearful.” asked Parvati.

“O Parvati! The entire creation is divided into two kinds. Hot and Cold. Soft and fearful. The entire Universe is admixture of Softness and fearfulness. Softness is borne by Vishnu. I bear the fearfulness. Hence I appear to be frightful and fearful always.” replied Maha Siva.

“O Parama Siva! Kindly explain me about Varna Ashrama Dharmas” asked Parvati. Maheswars told thus:

http://www.telugubhakti.com/telugupages/Monthly/Mahabharat/content1305.htm
http://www.telugubhakti.com/telugupages/Sages/Narada.htm