Munjaprishtha

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

---

Munjaprishtha (मुंजपृष्ठ) refers to a place on a mount in the Himalayas. Rudra once practised penance sitting on this mount. (Śloka 4, Chapter 122, Śānti Parva).

Variants

• Munjaprishtha मुंजपृष्ठ (AS, p.748)
• Muñjapṛṣṭha (मुञ्जपृष्ठ)

In Mahabharata

Munjaprishtha (मुञ्ज पृष्ठ) in Mahabharata (XII.122.2-4), (XIII.26.40)

---

Shanti Parva Mahabharata Book XII Chapter 122 tells story of Anga King Vasuhoma residing at Munjaprishtha, addressing to King Mandhatri about doctrines of Vrihaspati, laid down by Usanas. Munjaprishtha (मुञ्ज पृष्ठ) in Mahabharata (XII.122.2-4)....." There was among the Angas a king of great splendour, called Vasuhoma. That king was always engaged in acts of piety, and accompanied by his spouse he always practiced the most rigid penances. He repaired to the spot called Munjaprishtha held in high esteem by the Pitris and the celestial Rishis. There, on that peak of Himavat, near the golden mountains of Merit (Kanakaparvata), (the great Brahmana here) Rama, sitting under the shade of a well-known banian (Munjavata), had tied his matted locks (Jatta) together. From that time, O monarch, the spot, which is a favourite haunt of Rudra, came to be called Munjaprishtha by Rishis of rigid vows. King Vasuhoma, residing in that spot, acquired many pious attributes and, having gained the esteem of the Brahmanas, came to be regarded as a celestial Rishi in holiness."

---

Anusasana Parva/Book XIII Chapter 26 mentions the sacred waters on the earth. Munjaprishtha (मुञ्ज पृष्ठ) ia mentioned in Mahabharata (XIII.26.40). .....Bathing in Munjaprishtha and Niravinda (? Niraritideva) mountains and Kraunchapadi,--all three in Gaya--one becomes cleansed of the sin of Brahmanicide. A bath in the first place cleanses one of a single Brahmanicide; a bath in the second cleanses one of two offences of that character; and a bath in the third cleanses one of three such offences.

मुंजपृष्ठ

मुंजपृष्ठ (AS, p.748) : 'मुञ्ज पृष्ठं जगामाथ देवर्षिगणपूजितम, तत्र शृङ्गे हिमवतॊ मेरौ कनकपर्वते। यत्र मुञ्जवटे रामॊ जटा हरणम आदिशत। तदा प्रभृति राजेन्द्र ऋषिभिः संशितव्रतैः, मुञ्ज पृष्ठ इति प्रॊक्तः स देशॊ रुद्र सेवितः' महाभारत शांति पर्व 122, 2-3-4. अर्थात वह अंग देश के राजा वसुहोम मुंजपृष्ठ नामक तीर्थ में आए. वह स्थान स्वर्णमय पर्वत सुमेरु के समीप हिमालय के शिखर पर है, जहां मुंजावट में परशुराम ने अपनी जटाएं बांधने का आदेश दिया था. तभी से कठोर व्रती ऋषियों ने उस रूद्रसेवित प्रदेश को मुंजपृष्ठ नाम दे दिया. मुंजावट या मुंजपृष्ठ वैदिक मूंजवत् का रूपांतरण प्रतीत होता है.