Naimiṣāraṇya (Sanskrit: नैमिषारण्य, romanized: Naimiṣāraṇya, lit. 'Naimisha forest'), also referred as Naimisha (Sanskrit: नैमिष) is a sacred forest frequently mentioned in Puranic literature, as well as both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.[1][2] It is regarded to be the place where the Puranas had been narrated for the first time, before a large gathering of sages.[3] The ancient forest corresponds to modern day Nimsar, situated along the Gomati river in the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh, India.[2]
Shuka addresses a number of sages, Naimisaranya, Bhagavata Purana.
The Brahmanas derive the name Naimiṣāraṇya from 'nimiṣā', "a twinkling of the eye"; hence Naimiṣāraṇya means "a forest or pool where in the twinkling of an eye sage Gauramukha destroyed an army of Asuras." Naimiṣīyā figure for the first time in the Brāhmaṇas and the Upaniṣadic Literature. These words denote the dwellers in the Naimiṣa forest. They are mentioned in the Kāthaka-Saṃhitā and Brāhmaṇas being clearly of special sanctity.
In the Varaha Purana, it has been described as the region where the daityas (a clan of asuras) were slain within a nimiśa (smallest unit of time), and the place was made an abode of peace.[3]
Legendedit
Ramayanaedit
According to the Rāmāyaṇa, Naimiṣa was situated along the Gomati river. The sanctity attached to the place was such that Rāma desired to celebrate Aśvamedha sacrifice in this forest, and accordingly, placing his younger brother Lakṣmana assisted by the priests in charge of the steed, himself went to the forest. It was during the sacrifice that Valmiki with his disciples came there and constructed some comfortable huts at a distance. Then Lava and Kuśa recited the whole Ramayana, which convinced Rama that they were the twin sons of Sītā. Ultimately, Bhumi appeared at Sita's invocation and, proving her innocence, accompanied her into the bowels of the earth.
Shaunaka recites the Mahabharata at the Naimisaranya forest.
Mahabharataedit
In the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata, the forest is mentioned as situated towards east (prācīm diśam) of the mountain regions of Himavat which contained many sacred spots. In the epic, there are frequent references to Ṛṣis living in Naimiṣāraṇya and performing sacrifices extending for years.
Here Śaunaka had performed a twelve years sacrifice which was attended by a large number of seers, of whom the most prominent and distinguished was Ugraśrava-Sauti, the son of Romaharṣaṇa. His personality attracts the attention of all the scholars of Indian culture. He is described as well-versed in the Purāṇas which he cultivated with meticulous devotion. Sauti's father Romaharṣaṇa who was a disciple of the great Kṛṣṇa-Dvaipāyana Vyāsa, had once narrated the story of Āstīka before the inhabitants of the forest at the latter's request.
It is also believed that the river Sarasvatī had turned her course towards the east to see the great Ṛṣis (sages) dwelling in the forest.
See alsoedit
Naimisaranya, a temple located at the purported site of Naimisha forest
Valmiki Samhita, an important work for the worship of Lord Rama and Sita
^Knapp, Stephen (2008-05-29). Seeing Spiritual India: A Guide to Temples, Holy Sites, Festivals and Traditions. iUniverse. ISBN9780595614523.
^ abMani, Vettam (1975). Puranic encyclopaedia : a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature. Robarts - University of Toronto. Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 517.
Pandeya, Rajendra Bihari. “Naimiṣāraṇya in Literature.” Journal of the American Oriental Society, vol. 84, no. 4, 1964, pp. 405–408. JSTOR.
External linksedit
Wikimapia.org (location)
Gomati River - Adi Ganga
January 01, 1970
naimiṣāraṇya, forest, naimiṣāraṇya, sanskrit, रण, romanized, naimiṣāraṇya, naimisha, forest, also, referred, naimisha, sanskrit, sacred, forest, frequently, mentioned, puranic, literature, well, both, ramayana, mahabharata, regarded, place, where, puranas, bee. Naimiṣaraṇya Sanskrit न म ष रण य romanized Naimiṣaraṇya lit Naimisha forest also referred as Naimisha Sanskrit न म ष is a sacred forest frequently mentioned in Puranic literature as well as both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata 1 2 It is regarded to be the place where the Puranas had been narrated for the first time before a large gathering of sages 3 The ancient forest corresponds to modern day Nimsar situated along the Gomati river in the Sitapur district of Uttar Pradesh India 2 Shuka addresses a number of sages Naimisaranya Bhagavata Purana Contents 1 Etymology 2 Legend 2 1 Ramayana 2 2 Mahabharata 3 See also 4 References 5 Bibliography 6 External linksEtymology editThe Brahmanas derive the name Naimiṣaraṇya from nimiṣa a twinkling of the eye hence Naimiṣaraṇya means a forest or pool where in the twinkling of an eye sage Gauramukha destroyed an army of Asuras Naimiṣiya figure for the first time in the Brahmaṇas and the Upaniṣadic Literature These words denote the dwellers in the Naimiṣa forest They are mentioned in the Kathaka Saṃhita and Brahmaṇas being clearly of special sanctity In the Varaha Purana it has been described as the region where the daityas a clan of asuras were slain within a nimisa smallest unit of time and the place was made an abode of peace 3 Legend editRamayana edit According to the Ramayaṇa Naimiṣa was situated along the Gomati river The sanctity attached to the place was such that Rama desired to celebrate Asvamedha sacrifice in this forest and accordingly placing his younger brother Lakṣmana assisted by the priests in charge of the steed himself went to the forest It was during the sacrifice that Valmiki with his disciples came there and constructed some comfortable huts at a distance Then Lava and Kusa recited the whole Ramayana which convinced Rama that they were the twin sons of Sita Ultimately Bhumi appeared at Sita s invocation and proving her innocence accompanied her into the bowels of the earth nbsp Shaunaka recites the Mahabharata at the Naimisaranya forest Mahabharata edit In the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata the forest is mentioned as situated towards east pracim disam of the mountain regions of Himavat which contained many sacred spots In the epic there are frequent references to Ṛṣis living in Naimiṣaraṇya and performing sacrifices extending for years Here Saunaka had performed a twelve years sacrifice which was attended by a large number of seers of whom the most prominent and distinguished was Ugrasrava Sauti the son of Romaharṣaṇa His personality attracts the attention of all the scholars of Indian culture He is described as well versed in the Puraṇas which he cultivated with meticulous devotion Sauti s father Romaharṣaṇa who was a disciple of the great Kṛṣṇa Dvaipayana Vyasa had once narrated the story of Astika before the inhabitants of the forest at the latter s request It is also believed that the river Sarasvati had turned her course towards the east to see the great Ṛṣis sages dwelling in the forest See also editNaimisaranya a temple located at the purported site of Naimisha forest Valmiki Samhita an important work for the worship of Lord Rama and Sita Tirtha Prabandha written by Vadiraja swamiReferences edit Knapp Stephen 2008 05 29 Seeing Spiritual India A Guide to Temples Holy Sites Festivals and Traditions iUniverse ISBN 9780595614523 a b Mani Vettam 1975 Puranic encyclopaedia a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature Robarts University of Toronto Delhi Motilal Banarsidass pp 517 a b Sharma Jugal Kishor 1993 Punya Bhoomi Bharat Suruchi Prakashan ISBN 9789381500095 Bibliography editPandeya Rajendra Bihari Naimiṣaraṇya in Literature Journal of the American Oriental Society vol 84 no 4 1964 pp 405 408 JSTOR External links editWikimapia org location Gomati River Adi Ganga Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Naimiṣaraṇya forest amp oldid 1214385989, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
