Why should we go on a pilgrimage or visit a sacred place?

Going on a pilgrimage or visiting a sacred placed is auspicious consideration in India and many other nations. That is the very reason why devout Christians visit church or Hindus visits their temples. This question often perturbs the mind that if one can accomplish the simple goals of sadhna and meditation on any peaceful place, then why should one go to such places.

Horoscopes, show combinations that tell us about accomplishments in spiritual life. The final goal of emancipation sometimes remains incomplete due to hindrances visible through the chart. These interferences may vary from sadhnas of earlier births or blemishes rendered from different karmas. A spiritual place can mitigate those effects within a short span of time. The replacement of this span is possible only when someone follows a rigorous sadhna schedule. This is not possible for every person.

The effects created by possessions are very strong and visiting spiritual places can remove the effects. The general wellbeing of individuals receives multiple benefits by a visit to such places or doing good deeds. There are people who have heightened egos and they do not consider or have belief in spiritual power. They also get the benefits, if they do not carry malice for others and perform good deeds. Even, the worst in the world carry a soul which belongs to the supreme and which leaves a tint of goodness inside. This soul or this greater good receives a rejuvenation if someone visits a spiritual place. The positive powers of the place just enhance your brighter side for greater good.

All positive things; are unified and interlaced together, on a cosmic level. This thread gets an immediate boost if two positive powers join each other.

Sadhna and meditation in itself is a kind of selfish practise. You are not doing any good except for bringing peace to yourself. If you do not share your good part then there is no use having the same, apart from your own exultation. Renunciation is good only if the knowledge is been shared and transferred to others. That is very reason why service to humanity is considered better than any other sadhna.

“Seva parmo dharmah” or service to the humankind is the holiest religion. The power of love and international goodwill is far stronger than any kind of cult following.

Simplicity, service and love will make a person superhuman. There is an old story, which clarifies the same saying:

A sadhu used to live near a temple performing his daily deeds. He was honest and kind. On a very rainy and extremely cold day, workers who were retiring from a hard day work took a shelter near the temple.  It was a heavy pour and they were hungry as well.

Swami had nothing in the temple except some wheat grains. Therefore, he prepared a supper from the same and offered it to them. He worked for the whole night and gave them his blankets. He was shivering in cold but he was happy that he was able to help them. It was very normal for him and he forgot the incident after some months.

After a few months, a man was brought to the temple. He was sick, because of a devilish spirit who possessed him. Swami requested the spirit to leave the person. The spirit agreed to this proposition only on one consideration. He told swami to offer him the one thousandth part of his “Ashwamedha”. Swamiji was astonished. “Ashvmedha” is a very huge yajna, which can only be performed by “Chkaravarti Samrats” or powerful kings. He was an ordinary human and according to him he never did any ashwamedha. The spirit told him that he once helped some workers by offering him his food and shelter. Swami asked him that what will happen if I give you the one thousandth part of my deed. The spirit told him that he will live in heaven for more than thousand years just because of this offering.

Swami took some water in his right hand and took an oath that he offers the one thousandth part of his deed to the spirit. The spirit hailed his choicest blessings on the swami and left the man.

Therefore, this story conveys the message that good deeds are the best prayer for God. If someone visits a powerful place than his sins are curbed and his moral values get a boost.

Alok Jagawat