Philosophy & History of Kailash Parvat & Mansarovar Lake

All the great thing has an even greater history behind it, whether it’s a historical Human being or a historical monument or a natural existence. So do these significants thing has something to recollect from the past and so does the great Kailash Mansoravar. Sitting at the center of great Himalayas catching all the attention, this prestigious mountain has a chain of histories related to it in 4 different religions. All the four religions which are Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon religion have momentous stories related to the pristine Mount Kailash.

With the Hindu mythology, Mount Kailash has treasure of significance, importance and acknowledgement, whether it is the Purans or the Vedas. Kailash Mansarovar is considered to be the home of Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati along with Devtas, Ganas, Yakshas, Yogis, Siddha Purushas and Gandharvas. It is said that Shiva the lord of destruction and regeneration sits at the peak of the mountain and meditates there. As per the Skanda Purana, Supreme Hindu text, Kailash Mansarovar is Supreme Mountain where Lord Shiva resides and thus the name Kailash Mansarovar came into being. Kailash means the mountain where God Shiva lives and Mansarovar is the holy lake where lord Shiva and Indra swam as Swans.

Narration based upon the Hindu Mythology, the lake Mansarovar was first created by Lord Brahma in his mind, after which it was materialized on Earth. Thus in Sanskrit it is known as ‘Manasarovar’ which is the combination of words ‘Manasa Sarovaram’ which means ‘mind’ and ‘lake’. The lake is also known for its summer abode for Hamsa or swan. These birds are considered as sacred in the Hindu Dharma and an important element in the semiology of the Region, representing wisdom and beauty. Another story from Hindu mythology describes the origination of the lake Mansarovar in a completely different manner. According to the ancient scriptures, the hand of Sati fell at the foot of the great mountain creating the pristine Mansarovar Lake. And thus it is considered as the one of the 51 Shakitpeeths of Sati. During summer when the snow melts, it generates a sound of a kind. People believe that it is the sound of the drum carried by lord Shiva. Also it is said that the Neelkamal or the blue waterlily blooms and looks only in the direction of Mount Kailash during this time.

The lake Mansarovar is exhibited as the purest of pure, if one drink its water it is said that he gets cleansed of his sins committed over a hundred lifetimes and he go to the abode of Lord Shiva itself. It is also said that during the early hours “Amrit Vela” 3 to 5 in the morning Lord Brahma and the devas descends on the lake to bathe and thus the hour is considered as spiritual and known as Brahma Muhurta, Brahma’s auspicious time.

The Majestic Hiill Kailash is not just known for its peculiar shape or hugeness, but it is symbolized as the spiritual centre of the Earth. As found in one of the descriptions in the Puranas, Mount Kailash is the centre of the world and its four faces are made of crystal, ruby, gold, and lapis lazuli. It is known as the pillar “Stambh” of the world with a height of 84,000 leagues and is located at the heart of six mountain ranges symbolizing a lotus form i.e., lotus bud and petals all around. It also believed that the four rivers flowing from Kailash which are the Sutlej, Brahmaputra, Karnali and Indus divides the world into four parts. Also the rock-cut temple Ellora in Maharashtra is named after Kailash and many of its sculptures depicts the stories of Shiva and Parvati, including the incident when Ravana tried to shake the great Kailash.

This symbolizes the home of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, the Parvat expounds the philosophy of Shiva and Shakti i.e., Purusha and Prakriti. The radiant Silvery summit is the throne of Truth, Wisdom and Bliss-Sachidanandam. The primeval sound ‘Aum’ by which a person connects to Lord Shiva the most is formed by the tinkling anklets of Lalita Prakriti or Adi Para Shakti. The mantra Aum formed by Adishakti created the visible patterns of the universe and the Vibrations from the feet of Shiva weaved the essence of Atman - the ultimate truth, in this universe. The spreading resonance and limitless patterns constitute the grosser forms of all matters to accurate scale. This is the cosmic rhythm showcasing in millions of forms by the devotees. The silvery mount is the apex where the sound and the lights merge and the true Yogi transcends both these and merges into Aum. Mind is the knot which ties consciousness and matter together but all these factors are set free here at the Parvat. The Parvat and the chant AUM along with celestial philosophy of karma and history of our existence is the heart of spiritual survival and civilization and the grand Kailash Manasarovar reflects the total Shiva Awareness and existence.