Vasishtha Kunda is one of the celebrated kundas i.e. small sacred water bodies in Ayodhya dham (Uttar Pradesh, India). It is located near the Ram Janmabhumi to the north of Dhanayaksha (a sacred kunda) and Rukmini Kunda. This kunda is very dear to Sage Vasishtha.
The Ayodhya Mahatmya of Skanda Purana says that Sage Vasishtha lives here always with his chaste wife Arundhathi and Sage Vamadeva. The kunda is also said to destroy the sins of a person who bathes in it with great devotion.
Vasishtha Kunda was the ashram of Vasishtha Muni. He was appointed by Lord Brahma as the kula-guru or spiritual master of Surya Vamsha. This was because Lord Ramachandra would appear in the Solar Dynasty and Vasishtha Muni wanted to serve Him. He was the most prominent minister of Dasharatha Maharaja. Lord Ramachandra along with His brothers completed His studies in Vasistha Kunda i.e Vasishtha Muni’s ashram.
The Skanda Purana says that a man with great self-control should conduct an annual festival here on the fifth day of the bright half of the month of Bhadrapada in accordance with the laid down procedures.
bhādre māsi site pakṣe paṃcamyāṃ niyatavrataḥ |
tasya sāṃvatsarī yātrā karttavyā vidhipūrvikā ||
The appearance of Vasishtha Kunda
The Vasishta Kunda is the origin of the sacred Sarayu river. When King Ikshvaku of the Solar dynasty was ruling over Ayodhya, the city was bereft of a sacred river for the performances of yagnas, homas, etc. Being a very dharmic king, he was very worried about the same.
In such a circumstance, the King humbly requested the powerful Sage Vasishtha to bring a sacred river to Ayodhya. On hearing the plea of King Ikshvaku, the Sage declared that he would bring the sacred tears of Lord Vishnu stored in the Mansarovar lake on Mt. Kailash and convert it into a full-fledged river. He guided the King to shoot an arrow which would lead its path to Ayodhya.
Saying so, the Sage created a kunda where he brought and stored the sacred tears of Lord Vishnu. This kunda came to be known as the Vasishtha Kunda. Through the numerous prescribed yagnas and rituals, he gave it the form of the sacred river Sarayu which is fathomless and fast.
The glories of Vasishtha Kunda
The Ayodhya Mahatmya of the Skanda Purana elucidates the glories of the Vasishtha Kunda.
If an intelligent man with great purity takes a holy bath in the kunda offering shraddha, he attains excellent merit. Sage Vasishtha, Sage Vamadeva and the chaste lady Arundhati are to be worshipped here with great care along with a holy bath in the kunda and distribution of charity according to one’s means. If so, there is no doubt that one will obtain all the desired results.
It is said that one who takes a holy bath in the Vasishtha Kunda becomes equal to Vasishtha. A devotee who worships Lord Vishnu very faithfully and carefully here will become free from all sins and attain Vaikuntha with all honours.
How to Reach Vasishtha Kunda
Travelling to Vasishtha Kunda is easier done than said if you join the Ayodhya Kashi Yatra conducted by Tirtha Yatra.
Being situated in Ayodhya near the Ram Janmabhumi, you will have to reach Ayodhya in order to visit Vasishtha Kunda. These modes of transportation will help you get to Ayodhya easily:
By Road: Ayodhya is well connected to cities in Uttar Pradesh and nearby states by road. Uttar Pradesh state buses are available from major cities in the state 24 hours.
You can even hire private taxis from these cities or from a nearby town where you may be present. Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Prayagraj and Varanasi are the nearest cities within a distance of 200 kms.
By Rail: Ayodhya city is served by two railway stations. They are Ayodhya Junction and Ayodhya Cantt. Trains connecting major cities and towns of India stop over here.
By Air: The nearest airports are in Gorakhpur 139 kms away and Lucknow 151 kms away. You can fly in here and use the rail or road route to reach Ayodhya.
A government airstrip in Ayodhya is being upgraded to create a new airport though this may take time.
Lord Vishnu’s transcendental compassion started flowing from the Vasishtha Kunda
Sage Vasishtha made the compassion i.e. sacred tears of Lord Vishnu available to everyone in the form of the sacred Sarayu river to bathe and worship, perform sacrifices, etc. As the process began by storing the sacred tears of Lord Vishnu in the Vasishtha Kunda, the kunda attains pre-eminence.
The very name Vasishthi is meant to honour the Vasishtha Kunda. Hence, your approach to the kunda should be of the highest respect be it seeing, taking a holy dip or even sprinkling a few drops of its holy waters on your body.
Sage Vasishtha is indeed highly worthy of special worship for giving us the Sarayu river. Hence, we shall all remain eternally indebted to him! He has made it possible for all of us to get freedom from our sins and attain Vaikuntha without any complications.
May Vasishtha Kunda fulfil all your desires!
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