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SPIRITUAL WEALTH
Swami Vidyananda Giri
Our most respected Swami Satyananda Saraswatiji, whose name is worthy of remembrance every morning, was born in the hilly town of Almora in this holy land of India. He chose this place called Munger in the state of Bihar as the focal point from which he spread his teachings and conducted his personal austerities. There must be some special mystery behind this. Only he can tell us exactly what it is, but I would like to speak a few words on whatever I have understood.
This region of Bihar has been a playground of avatars, yogis, realized saints and siddhas. There was a time when any scholar who finished his basic studies, would travel, not abroad, like the modern student, nor to any big institution, but to Mithila, to King Janaka, This region in ancient times was called Mithila, and King Janaka used to rule here. He was not only an emperor, but also a saint and a donor of wealth and knowledge. This fact has been well known since the time of the Vedas until the last few centuries.
This area had another name, Tirahuta. The people who lived on the north and northeastern side of the Ganges used to call themselves Tirahutiyas, or residents of Tirahuta. Even King Janaka is named Tirahuta Nivasi, or resident of Tirahuta, in the Ramacharitamanas. The reason for this name is that teer means the banks of the Ganga.
Tere teera jo hoti tirahutaha
Everywhere along the northern banks of the Ganga, religious rituals were taking place and that pious land was Tirahuta. At every place, there were fire ceremonies, homas and yajnas, singing and chanting of the Lord's name, and vedic mantras were being sung constantly. This reputation has been held since the time of the Vedas. The vedic mantras quote the name of Janaka in some places. Even the Gita quotes his name,
Karmanaiv hee sansiddhimasthista janakadayaha, Lok sangrahameapi sampashyankartumarhasi
(Gita, 3-20)
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