Brahmayoni

Author: Laxman Burdak IFS (R)

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Brahmyoni Gaya

Brahmayoni (ब्रह्मयॊनि) is a sacred hill near Gaya in Bihar, which is mentioned in Mahabharata and Buddhist records. Author (Laxman Burdak) visited Gaya on 11.11.2010 and has provided content and images here.

Variants

• Brahmayoni (ब्रह्मयॊनि) (III.81.121)
• Yonidwara (यॊनिद्वार) (III.82.83).

In Mahabharata

Vana Parva, Mahabharata/Book III Chapter 81 mentions that Proceeding to Brahmayoni (ब्रह्मयॊनि) in purity of body and with subdued soul, one obtaineth, O tiger among men, by bathing there, the abode of Brahma, and sanctifieth, without doubt, his own race to the seventh generation up and down.

ब्रह्मयॊनिं समासाद्य शुचिः परयत मानसः

तत्र सनात्वा नरव्याघ्र ब्रह्मलॊकं परपद्यते

पुनात्य आ सप्तमं चैव कुलं नास्त्य अत्र संशयः (III.81.121)

In Buddhism

For Buddhists, Gaya is an important pilgrimage place because it was at Brahmayoni hill that Buddha preached the Fire Sermon (Adittapariyaya Sutta) to a thousand former fire-worshipping ascetics, who all became enlightened while listening to this discourse. At that time, the hill was called Gayasisa. At a distance of 1 km southwest of the Vishnupada Temple, this hill offers some fantastic views of city from its top. Also, on the top are two narrow caves – Brahmayoni and Matreyoni – Passing through these caves, it is believed, no one will experience rebirth. A temple dedicated to the Asthabujadevi and other goddesses is at the top too. To reach the top, you need to take an arduous 40 to 60 minutes walk up 424 high stone steps.

कोलाहलगिरि

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर ने लेख किया है ... कोलाहलगिरि (AS, p.238) मालवा और बुंदेलखंड को अलग करने वाली पर्वतमाला का नाम है, जो चंदेरी के पास स्थित है। विष्णुपुराण के अनुसार कोलाहलगिरि एक पर्वत का नाम है- 'सापि द्वितीय संप्राप्ते वीक्ष्य दिव्येन चक्षुषा, ज्ञात्वा श्रृगालं तंद्रष्टुं ययौ कोलाहलं गिरिम्' (विष्णुपुराण 3, 18, 72.)

कोलाहलगिरि का उपर्युक्त उल्लेख एक आख्यान के प्रसंग में है। वायुपुराण 1, 45 में भी कोलाहलगिरि का उल्लेख किया गया है। यह 'कोलाचल' या 'कोलगिरि' का भी रूपांतरित नाम हो सकता है। श्री नं. ला. डे के अनुसार इसका अभिज्ञान ब्रह्मयोनि पहाड़ी, गया (बिहार) से किया गया है।

References

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