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which help revive people. According to Jaswant Rai Busa's opinion, Kailash is Mount Meru and Ashtapad is a separate mountain based on the fact that it is impossible to stay on Kailash and do penance. From the banks of Lake Mansarovar at a distance of about 5-7 miles, there is another mountain called Ashtapad which is between 'Padma Had' (Mansarovar) and Kailash (Kang Rim Poche). At the base of this mountain land is flat and there is a possibility to stay and do penance. In the early mornings, one can view Kailash and Mansarovar from there. Near Ashtapad Mountain, there are hot water springs. Air is little better there. The cold is not extreme and very little snow and the atmosphere is relatively clear. There is some space for living and to do agriculture. One could find some plants and pieces of wood from surroundings for cooking purposes. Looking at all these facts, it is possible that this is the place where Shri Rushabhdev attained Nirvana and could be the location for Ashtapad Tirth. The atmosphere of this Ashtapad area is very peaceful. The difference between self and spirituality disappears here and you can feel the divinity of the place and the strength of penance. From his experience Shri Jaswant bhai notes that this is Ashtapad. He also mentions that one Mongolian monk with his family stayed there during Kailash Yatra. He did penance there and made a small residence as well. He also made a small Stupa of Shri Rushabhdev. According to him, Rushabhdev did penance at this place. This is also mentioned in the Kanjur and Tanjur books. In the 11th century, famous tantric and poet, Jichun Milrepa (1038-1112) and his teacher Marpaye did penance here. In Hindu, Buddhist and Jain scriptures Kailash has been described as a divine place. God himself has described Kailash as spiritual abode. 'Meru Shikarinam Aham' - Himalaya is a divine land and there are many small and large Tirth. Tirth Meru has a special place which is Kailash and Lord Shiva resided at this sacred place. The monk who wrote 'Atharva Veda' while praying to the Goddess Earth says that 'Mother Earth, your Himalaya Mountain and jungle are very pleasant to us'. According to Shrimad Bhagwat, chapter 4, Kailash is the best amongst mountains and the abode of Lord Shiva. People with special divinity and Gods live here and they do penance, yoga and worship there. As per Devi Bhagwat, Lord Shiva and Goddess Uma always reside here in this divine land. Hindus believe that Kailash is Lord Shiva. Tibetan Buddhists believe Kailash as God and they do stuti and worship and feel great about that. As per Hindu scriptures, while describing Kailash, Kailash is a divine mountain which originated from the umbilical cord of Lord Vishnu and has different types of colorful minerals and metals. As per Tibetan scriptures, Kangri Karchhak, this Kailash is the center of the human universe, a place of diamond, pearls, crystal and gold. It is the Roof of the World. It is the place of origin of four major rivers. It is the center of the whole universe. The peak of this mountain is very high and touches the sky. On one side at one place there is a 'Kalpa Vraksh'. The eastern part is made of crystal, south made of sapphire, western part is made of ruby and the north is made of gold. The mountain peak is covered with fragrant flowers and medicinal plants.
XLVII
