Triveni : Trinity of
three rivers and the land where great epic Ramayana was written
Triveni which literally
means trinity of three water source. And this triveni of Nawalparasi district
is the trinity of three holy rivers Narayani, Sona and Pancha (Tamsa &
Sonbhadra). I am fortunate enough to born on this land. And had opportunity to
visit this shrine almost every year until I was not allowed to ride bike but once
I had the control of my bike I have been here for numerous time. Let me
introduce this glorious place to you.
Triveni is situated
near the Indian border where the River Narayani, or Gandak, emerges from the
Siwalik ranges to flow into the Gigantic plains. In Nepali news you must have
heard of Susta Gandak trouble of Nepali land flooded by the closing of dam from
Indian side. It is called Triveni (meaning three streams or rivers) as the
large Narayani River mingles with the smaller Sona and Pancha (Tamsa &
Sonbhadra) rivers.
'Tri' means three and 'Veni' means junction of water source
in Sanskrit. We commonly hear about this place often mentioned in the Hindu
Scriptures ranging from the works of the ancient dramatist, Kalidash, to the
Varaha, Himavat, and the Skanda Puranas.
Across the river there
is the Balmiki Ashram which falls under Chitawan District, said to be the
retreat where a pregnant Sita, banished by her husband Ram, took refuge in the
great sage Valimiki’s ashram and gave birth to her two sons, Lava and Kush.
It is
believed that apsaras, along with various gods and goddesses, frequently
descend from heaven to bath in these rivers. Triveni Dham has been famous
since the days of the Janak dynasty of Janakpur, during which it was a part of
the Mithila kingdom. In particular, the Balmiki Ashram, across the
river, is testament to the influence the Janak kings had on the cultural and religious
heritage of the region. It was here that Valimi wrote the epic Ramayana. And
not only that it is the land which inspired Valimiki to create the first verse
of his life, and that verse is also taken as the milestone to start the
glorious days of Sanskrit literature.
Let me tell you that
small story how Sage Valmiki wrote that first verse. Valmiki was going to the river
Ganges for his daily ablutions. A disciple by the name Bharadwaja
was carrying his clothes. On the way, they came across the Tamasa
Stream. Looking at the stream, Valmiki said to his disciple, "Look, how
clear is this water, like the mind of a good man! I will bath here
today." When he was looking for a suitable place to step into the stream,
he saw a crane couple mating. Valmiki felt very pleased on seeing
the happy birds. Suddenly, hit by an arrow, the male bird died on the spot.
Filled by sorrow, its mate screamed in agony and died of shock. Valmiki's heart
melted at this pitiful sight. He looked around to find out who had shot the
bird. He saw a hunter with a bow and arrows, nearby. Valmiki became very angry.
His lips opened and he cried out,
मा निषाद प्रतिष्ठां त्वमगमः शाश्वतीः समाः।
यत्क्रौञ्चमिथुनादेकमवधीः काममोहितम्॥'
mā niṣāda pratiṣṭhā
tvamagamaḥ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ
yat krauñcamithunādekam
avadhīḥ kāmamohitam
You will find no rest
for the long years of Eternity
For you killed a bird
in love and unsuspecting
Emerging spontaneously
from Valmiki's rage and grief, this is considered to be the first shloka in Sanskrit literature. Valmiki later
composed the entire Ramayana with the blessings of Lord Brahma
in the same meter that issued forth from him as the shloka. Thus this shloka is
revered as the first shloka in Hindu literature. Valmiki is revered as the first poet or
Adi Kavi and Ramayana, the first Kavya (poem).
Now as we have some
glimps of Valmiki’s life lets know more about this shrine Triveni. This place
is also known as Hari-Har Kshetra, sacred to both Shaiva and Vaishnava followers
of the Hindu religion. Hari means Vishnu and Har means Shiva. There is a temple
enshrining the idol of Hari-Har – half Vishnu, half Shiva. Here one finds the
temples of Gajendramokshya, Bhakteshwor, Laxmi Bainketeswara, Nagababakuti, and
Radhakrishna; the Kotihom Yajnashala; the Sanskrit school; and many beautiful
gardens. This site called Gajendra Mokshya Tirtha where according to the Barah
Purana, a god worshipping elephant (Gajendra meaning Elephant King) was caught
in the jaws of a powerful alligator while wading in the waters to pluck lotus
flowers for worship. Lord Vishnu hearing his devotee’s prayer for help
personally descended on the spot riding on his Garuda and killed the alligator
with his Sudarshan Chakra (discus) and saved the elephant. This act of
liberation (mokshya) of the elephant king from the clutches of the crocodile
(graha) has earned this place the name Gajendra Mokshya. Today Saint Muktinath
Baba have constructed a huge ashram at the site of Gajendra Mokshya called
Gajendra Mokshya Dham. As this ashram faces the river if you walk into the
river you will see the spot where still today stone carved with the foot of
elephant lies there.
A big fair is held at this site on Magh
Krishna Amabasya, or the dark night (no moon), in the month of Magh (Jan/ Feb).
Pilgrims, from both the hills and plains of Nepal and from India, take a ritual
bath in the river on this occasion. It is the popular site for holy baths,
tarpanas, shradhas, upanayans, darnabhedans, annaprasans, chudakarmas, and
various other sacramental rites; and the festivals of Kartik Mela, Kumbha Mela,
Ramnavami, Byaspurnima, Holi, Chhait, and Budda Jayanti, Shivaratri serve as
occasions for a large number of pilgrims from Nepal and India gathering in the
region.
Article written by Suvas Agam.
