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India
has a rich cultural heritage. Culture nurtures and refines human
values in every civilization. In the modern consumerist society,
there is a need to conserve basic human values so that the
scientific progress becomes meaningful. Thus cultural values strive
for the welfare of all in all ages and places i.e. the concept of
"Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam" can materialize in the emerging
global society.… so one hopes.
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Temples,
Monasteries, Churches, Mosques, Darghas, Shrines and Sidhpeeths
strengthen bonds and remain the places to know the unknowable and to
adore that which exists in non-existence; and is sacred …. Holy.
These are the places to channelize the man towards Nirwana or
Moksha.BABA
BALAK NATH SIDHPEETH is one of the most famous pilgrim- center of
North Indian Hill State, Himachal Pradesh i.e. the God’s own land.
The Ancient Cave and temple architecture graces the DeotSidh in
Hamirpur District. Lakhs of devotees from India and abroad visit
this temple to reinforce their firm faith in the "Siddha
Tradition" . Countless Smritis and Srutis are the inexhaustible
reference sources and unending tales of the times of Siddhas.
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HISTORICITY
OF THE SIDDHA TRADITION:
The historicity of the ‘Sidhpeeth’ is established from the ‘Siddha
Traditions’, the Sidhpeeth itself and Srutis and Samritis .
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Sidha Tradition in Sanskrit Literature : Baba Balak Nath Sidhpeeth
is a strong link in the long chain of ‘Siddha Tradition’ in
Hindu Mythology. To quote a few references :
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Siddhas have been mentioned in 6th Chapter of ‘Bhagwata
Purana’ and 7th Chapter of ‘Skanda Purana’ as
paying obeisance to the Lord Indra in long line of deities i.e. ‘Vishwa
Deva’, ‘Sandhya Gana’, ‘Ashwani Kumar’, ‘Charna’, ‘Brahmavadi’,
‘Muni Gana’, ‘Vidya Dhara’, ‘Upsara’, ‘Kinnara’, ‘Pakshi’
and ‘Naga’.
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‘Dances of ‘Siddhas’ , ‘Yaksha’ and ‘Gandharva’ in the
‘Vadrika Ashrama’ of Maharishi Prashra.
5th Cantos of the ‘Valmiki Ramayana’ i.e. ‘Sundra
Kanda’ relates to a conversation among ‘Siddhas’, ‘Charnas’
and Maharishis.
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‘Patanjali’s Yog Sutra’ (Vibhuti Pada) says much about the
"vision of ‘Siddhas’ by pious souls". -
‘Amar Kosha’ has many references of ‘Siddhas’ along ‘Vidyadhara’,
‘Upsara’, ‘Yaksha’, ‘Rakshasha’, ‘Pishacha’, ‘Guhiaka’
and ‘Bhuta’.
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The originator of the ‘Sankhya Philosophy’ is believed to be a
prominent Siddha. In ‘Srimadbhagvad Gita’ Lord Krishna comments
Himself as ‘Kapil Muni’ among ‘Siddhas’.
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In ‘Ashvamedha Parva’ of ‘Mahabharata’ there is a reference
of the discussion about the ‘Siddhas’.In
Hindu belief, the ‘Siddhas’ are known to live eternally and in
invisible form. Legend has it that – ‘Baba Balak Nath’ is a
contemporary of 83 ‘Siddhas’ of His times. ‘Siddha Tradition’
is based on ‘GURU SHISHYA
PRAMPARA’ in Hindu Philosophy and ‘Baba Balak Nath’ is
believed the disciple of ‘Rishi Dattariya’ whose lineage is
traced to ‘Rishi Attri’.
The Sidhpeeth in the Historical context:"Nav
Nathas" and "Chaurasi Siddhas" lived in the period 8th
to 12th century A.D. In the 10th century A.D.
during their routine wandering in the hills, they visited Bharmour
in Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh during the reign of Shahil
Varman. One of those—Charpat Nath – became "The Rajguru"
of Kingdom. The 8th and 9th century A.D. Hindi
Literature is enrished with the preachings of Sidhas likes Sarhapa,
Sharhapa, Luipa etc. Baba’s contemporary Guru Gorakh Nath was also
a prominent ascetic of those times.
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Sidh
Baba in Jana Srutis: Innumberable Jana Srutis sing praises to the
divinity of Baba Balak Nath:
His
birth references among "Chaurasi Sidhas":We
narrate the Lord Shiva’s Amar Katha as the Jana Srutis in this
context. Amar Katha is a Puranic story about the origin of Baba Ji.
As told, a parrot nestling incidently heard the Amar Katha being
told by "Lord Shiva" to "Parvati". Lord Shiva’s
‘Trishul’ followed parrot nestling. Parrot nestling hid in the
stomach of the wife of Rishi Vyasa and requested a promise from Lord
Shiva for coming out. The promise was that when parrot nestling
would come out in human form, it along with all the children born at
that time might become eternal. Lord Shiva agreed for that and an
extra-ordinary beautiful lad came out and vowed before Lord Shiva
for blessing. This lad famed as ‘Sukdev Muni’, later on. Baba
Balak Nath was one of the nine ‘Nathas’ and eighty four ‘Sidhas’
born at that time
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Emanation
of Lord Shankra in ‘Dvapara Yuga’:
According to ‘Lok Srutis’ Baba Ji reincarnates Yuga and Yuga. He was known as ‘Skanda’ in ‘Sat Yuga’, ‘Kaul’ in
‘Treta Yuga’ and ‘Mahakaul’ and ‘Dvapra Yuga’. ‘Mahakaul’
of ‘Dvapra Yuga’, while going to ‘Kailasha Parvata’, met an
old woman on the way. The old lady asked the mission and destination
of Baba Ji. After knowing all that the old woman advised ‘Mahakaul’
to meditate on the bank of ‘Mansarovar’ and request ‘Mother
Parvati’ (who would come there for bathing on special occasions),
help him in reaching ‘Lord Shiva’. ‘Mahakaul’ acted as told
and became successful in his mission of reaching ‘Lord Shiva’On
seeing ‘Balayogi Mahakaul’, ‘Lord Shiva’ became very happy
and blessed Baba Ji to be the ‘Sidha symbol’ of worshipping for
devotees in ‘Kaliyuga’ and his child like image to remain for
ever.
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Lord
Shiva blessing Baba Ji
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Birth
and Sanskritisation of Baba ji in Kali Yuga:
Baba Ji is said to have taken birth in Gujarat, Kathiabad. The name
of His mother was Laxmi and that of his father Vishno Vaish. Here
Baba Ji named as ‘Dev’ became lost in ‘Bhagvad devotion’.
Seeing this, his parents wanted to marry him; but Baba Ji didn’t
agree and left His home in search of ‘Parma Sidhi’ and came by
‘Swami Dattaitreya’ in Junagarh on Girnar hill - a historical
place. It is here Baba ji learnt the basics of ‘Sidhas’ from
Swami Dattaitreya and became ‘Sidha’ and came to be known as ‘Baba
Balak Nath Ji’There
is mention of interaction of Swami Viveka Nanda with a ‘Pawan Hari
Sidh Baba’ in Vivekananda literature published from ‘Advait
Ashram, Calcutta’. As told that ‘Pawna Hari Baba’ learnt the
science of ‘Sidhas’ at Girnar hills. This has similarity with
‘Baba Balak Nath Ji’. |
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