1 ESSENCE OF PANCHA MAHA BHUTAS (EARTH-WATER-FIRE-AIR-SKY) Compiled, composed and interpreted by V.D.N.Rao, former General Manager, India Trade Promotion Organisation, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India, now at Chennai. Other Scripts by the same Author: Essence of Puranas:-Maha Bhagavata, Vishnu Purana, Matsya Purana, Varaha Purana, Kurma Purana, Vamana Purana, Narada Purana, Padma Purana; Shiva Purana, Linga Purana, Skanda Purana, Markandeya Purana, Devi Bhagavata;Brahma Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Purana, Agni Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Nilamata Purana; Shri Kamakshi Vilasa Dwadasha Divya Sahasranaama: a) Devi Chaturvidha Sahasra naama: Lakshmi, Lalitha, Saraswati, Gayatri; b) Chaturvidha Shiva Sahasra naama-Linga-Shiva-Brahma Puranas and Maha Bhagavata; c) Trividha Vishnu and Yugala Radha-Krishna Sahasra naama-Padma-Skanda-Maha Bharata and Narada Purana. Stotra Kavacha- A Shield of Prayers -Purana Saaraamsha; Select Stories from Puranas Essence of Dharma Sindhu - Dharma Bindu - Shiva Sahasra Lingarchana-Essence of Paraashara Smriti Essence of Pradhana Tirtha Mahima Essence of Upanishads : Brihadaranyaka , Katha, Tittiriya, Isha, Svetashwara of Yajur Veda-Chhandogya and Kena of Saama Veda-Atreya and Kausheetaki of Rig Veda-Mundaka, Mandukya and Prashna of Atharva Veda ; Also ‗Upanishad Saaraamsa‘ (Quintessence of Upanishads) Essence of Virat Parva of Maha Bharata- Essence of Bharat Yatra Smriti Essence of Brahma Sutras Essence of Sankhya Parijnaana- Also Essence of Knowledge of Numbers Essence of Narada Charitra; Essence Neeti Chandrika-Essence of Hindu Festivals and Austerities Essence of Manu Smriti- Quintessence of Manu Smriti- Essence of Paramartha Saara; Essence of Pratyaksha Bhaskra; Essence of Maha Narayanopashid; Essence of Maitri Upanishad Essence of Vidya-Vigjnaana-Vaak Devi; Essence of Bhagya -Bhogya-Yogyata Lakshmi Essence of Soundarya Lahari*- Essence of Popular Stotras*- Essence of Pratyaksha Chandra*- Essence of Pancha Bhutas* Note: All the above Scriptures already released on www. Kamakoti. Org/news as also on Google by the respective references. The one with * is under process] 2 Preface The totality of Universal Creation comprises an interplay of Pancha Maha Bhutas.These Five Elements are linked together as the warp and weft of the universal cloth , as they interact and cooperate, but never cross their ends.In the context of Philosophy and Pragmatism of History, Man is the perennial Actor.His impulses are ever kaleidoscopic, essentially anchored to Panchendriyas and Pancha Tanmatras which of course are linked to Pancha Bhutas, as explained vividly in the Introductory Pages of this Script. Puranas,Upanishads and Vedas handed down the ages painstakingly describe about the awareness of Brahman from whom the Universe originates, sustains, terminates and regerminates again and again; it is that Supreme Energy which is admittedly the Cause and effect existence of Life bestowed by Brahman but far beyond the ‗Koshamaya‘ or of Pancha Koshas or body sheaths of Annamaya-Pranamaya- Manomaya-Vijnanamaya and Anandamaya but indeed the Supreme Self - either of Form and features or of the Antaratma the Individual Self of all the Beings in Srishti. It is this Blissful Brahman who is not only the Individual Consciousness but also of the product of Pancha Bhutas, Space, Light, Praana or Vital Force, besides the Illumination within and without. It is that Singular Entity, the Bhokta and the Bhojya or the Cause and the Effect, the ‗Daharakasha‘ or the Sky within the invisible cavity of the Heart as also the Sky above, the Pancha Bhutas, the Unseen Vaishvanara, the Panchendriyas, the Jagrat-Svapna- Sushupti or the Stages of Awakening-Dream Stage-Deep Sleep and Death, rebirth and ‗Kaala maana‘!! Puranas describe the collective and individual specialisations of each of the Pancha Maha Bhutas; the quotes in this Script are from the major Ashtaadasha Puranas highlighting each and every one of these individually attempted. The Pouranic Essence is further supplemented by Smritis and compilations of Dharma Sutras such as Parashara and Veda Vyasa Smritis, Dharma Sindhu and other sources. The coverage is possibly attempted as ranging from ‗Prithvi Sthalas‘, ‗Jala Samuuhaas, ‗Agni Karyas‘, ‗Homa Prakriyas‘, ‗Vayu Prashastata‘, ‗Pancha Praana Praamukhyata‘ and ‗Antariksha Pradhaanyata‘. Some prominent Fifteen Upanishads too have been quoted and explained about the broad intent of the unique role of Pancha Bhutas in the saga of the Beings in Srishti.The inevitabilty of one‘s existence in the Universe and its Input Contents have been described by the quotes and annotations. Finally a cross section of even extremely limited referencing has been attempted to light lamps in the oceans of Vedas on a sample principle of ‗sthaalee pulaaka nyaaya‘ or to ascertain sample cooking of food! My desire to attempt the Essence of Pancha Maha Bhutas is even insignificantly worthy of my best efforts. Yet, the role of HH. Vijayendra Sarasvati who inspired me to condense and translate Maha Puranass, fifteen Upanishads and a host of Dharmic Scripts is simply unbelievable over the last decade plus. My post retired life is amazingly transformed by his guidance and unending zeal.This enthusiasm of mine is backed up by three significant sources- one from my Parents viz. Shri Vemuri Narayana Murti and Smt.Sitaramamma- besides my father-in- law and mother -in-law viz. Shri Chavali Subrahmanya Shastri and Smt. Adi Lakshmi-who gave me contentment of living who were all taken into the fold of Pancha Bhutas already. The third and powerful source is our Family God viz. ‗Paramaa -chaarya‘ of Kanchi- who opened up vistas for fulfilment of Life, and defied the Pancha Bhutas into Immorality! May I place ever fragrant flowers at the respective feet at ever fresh memory screens! V.D.N.Rao Chennai 3 Contents of Pancha Maha Bhutas Introduction - ( 8) Puranas and Smritis- Bhu Devata: Origin of Srishti by the Hiranyagarbha (10)- Maha Tatwa (The Supreme Manifestation)- Origin of Prithvi, worship and consequences of disrespect to her- Maha Maya enables Vishnu to kill the Demon Brothers Madhu and Kaitabha (11)- Brahma‘s boon to Satyavrata, Matysavatara, Pralaya and Srishti again(12)- How Bhumi was a renamed as Prithvi! Universal Dissolution and Revival of Bhu Devi ( 17)-Varahaavatara uplifts Prithvi from Rasaatala (18)- Varaha Deva rescues Bhu Devi, His description, Stuti and Worship (19)-Bhagavan Varaha‘s questionnaire to humanity about the roots of grief and Joy! (20) - Varaha Deva describes ‗Aparadhas‘ (Offences) to be avoided (21)- Description of Planets (22)- Outlines of Manvantaras, ‗Prithvi‘ (Earth) and of ‗Sapta‘ (Seven) Dwipas (23)- Sapta Dwipas with spotlight on Bharata, Sapta-Urthvalokas and Sapta Adholokas ((24)- Description of Bhuvana Kosha- Bharata Varsha, its Mountains, Rivers and Territories: Bharata, the Unique Karma Bhumi in Jambudwipa & an outline of other Dwipas-(27) ‗Ganga‘: Bhagirath‘s efforts, Puja to her and final restoration as Vishnu‘s wife(30)- Worship to Devi Ganga- Varanasi Mahatmya: Krittivaasa, Kapardesha, Omkaaresha, Madhyesha & Vishweshwara ((31)- Triveni Sangama (Prayaga) Mahatmya (35) Broad Geographical delineation of Bharata Varsha(37) Deva-Asura-Rishi- Manava Sambandha Tirthas- (: Over-view of prominent ‗Tirthas‘ in Bharata Varsha: Pancha Tirthas - Mahatmya and Puja Vidhana- Mayapuri (Haridwar) Tirtha-A glorious incident of Vishnu Maya: Tirtha Yatras‘ (Visits to Holy Rivers and Pilgrim Centers)(43) Kokamukha Tirtha, Badari Tirtha- Mandara Tirtha- Shalagram Tirtha- Sthutaswami (Krishna) Tirtha: Dwaraka Kshetra: Mathura Kshetra: Gokarna Tirtha- Mayapuri (Haridwar) Tirtha- A glorious incident of Vishnu Maya: Kubjaamrak Tirtha (Hrishikesh)- Gokarneshwar Tirthas of Shiva- River Narmada (49): Sarasvati River (51) -Kamakshi Vilasa and Vegavati- Padma Purana eulozises Prayaga- (54) Gajendra Moksha Sarovara- (57)Tirtha Mahima: G aya, Pushkara, Sarasvata, Kaalanjara and many other Tirthas- (59)Rameshwara Tirthas; (62) Origin of River Vitasta and several other Sacred Rivers in Kashmira: Tirtha Yatras in Kashmira and their rewards- (63)Nadi Pushkaras -(65) Bhumi Putra- Bhoumika / Narakasura - Deepaavali- Mangala Deva. Aapas: (67) Snaana Prakarana in Parashar Smriti- Shoucha Vidhi- (69) Gandusha Vidhi-Aachamana Vidhi-Procedure of Aachamana- (70)Snaana Vidhis- Snaana Bhedas- Samudra Snaana-Naimittika Snaanas - Samkramana-Rajasvala Snaana- Kaamya Snanas- Malaapakarshana Snaanas- Abhyanganba Snaanas- Nmaraka Chaturdashi Snaana-Nadee Snaanaas- Snaanaas as per Dharma Sindhu. (77) Marjana Mantra Snaanas- Aghamarshana Mantra Snaanas- Tarpanas- Punah Snaanas- Snaanantara Vastra Dhaarana- Nitya Naimittika Snaanas- Grahana Snaanaas-Monthwise Snaanaas: Vaishakha Snaanas- Gangaavataarana Snaanas and worship on Jyeshtha Shukla Dwaadashi- Chaturmaasa Vrata is stated to have terminated on Shravana Purnima- For Strees: On Shravana MangalaVaaraas, Mangala Gauri Vrata is definitely prescribed especially by the newly married ‗Grihinis‘. Shravana Shukla Panchami is popularly called Naaga Panchami and is observed- Krishnashtami, Raksha Bandhana and Kusha sangrahana are the highlights of Shravana Month, demanding snaana phalitas- Siddhi Vinayaka Vrata is celebrated all over Bharata Desha on Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi- Mahalaya Pakshas- Devi Navaraatraas commence from Ashviyuja Shukla Pratipada to Maharnavami and Vijaya Dashami- Nava -Ratri Vidhis- Deepavali Celebrations -( 88) Kartika Snanaas- Mantra Grahana Diksha-Chaturmasa Vrata Samaapti- Pushya Makara