Sri Bharatamata

   Ashtottaram 6

 

 6) OṀ PUṆYA BHŨMYAINAMAH:

          OṀ (AUM) - PU - ṆYA - BHOO- MYAI- NA--MA- HA

   

      (Puṇyam: means “fruit of any good or meritorious action”, “that which purifies”)

 

 

 

 

 

The words puṇya and pāpa are commonly used in the Hindu scriptures. Even the Ṛigveda has used the words puṇya and pāpa. Puṇya refers to the fruit of any good or meritorious action. Other words considered as its equivalents are: dharma, ‘sreyās, sukṛta, and vṛsa. There are no equivalent words in English literature other than “sin” for pāpam. Puṇya gives happiness both here and hereafter. The most common definition of puṇya is that which causes happiness to others, reducing their problems and difficulties. The dharma śāstrās and the puraṇās give detailed descriptions of puṇya and pāpa, for the guidance of people in general. There is no single being who doesn’t desire happiness, however only in our scriptures our ancient ṛishis are very clear about what actions result in pāpam or puṇyam.

 

“Enapunātī itipuṇyam” That by which we are becoming pure and clean is the teaching in Vedas and Upanishads. Whatever good action you do for the sake of humanity and for the welfare of people, the result is puṇyam. Ṛishis gave importance to good deeds and taught non-violence to us which results in puṇyam and also the eligibility to reach higher worlds to enjoy the fruits of good deeds. At the same token our ancient ṛishis warned us about bad actions that harm others and resulting in the experiences of the under worlds, where our souls will be tortured many ways to inflict pain and fear. From ancient times on, Hindus were taught how to be righteous and follow dharma and there are innumerable śastrās and scriptures are written about puṇyam and pāpam. The seers and sages spent their lives for the welfare of humanity and encouraged us to perform homams (fire rituals), yajṇās and yāgās (Vedic sacrificial rituals) to fulfil our desires like having wealth or children, etc.

 

There are many swamis, gurus, yogis, saadhus, and ācharyās walked on our sacred land and lived their lives as an example for us to follow them. Many like Sri Śankarāchārya, Ramānujāchārya, Madhvāchārya, Vallabhāchārya, and Nimbarkāchārya, etc have restored our sanātana dharma from the clutches of tyrant and barbaric foreign invaders.

 

On our puṇyabhoomi, we have the puṇyakṣhetrās (piligrimage temples) like Kasi, Rameswaram, Prayāga, Tirumala, Sriśailam, Badarīnāth, Kedāram, etc; just by visiting them, our souls will console with peace and tranquility. Spiritual feelings generate automatically by just glancing at the Gods images.

 

So, the land which has blessed us with the sacred scriptures, temples and Ṛishis to lead us towards good, meritorious deeds resulting in peace and happiness is none other than “Puṇya Bhūmi”.