The Sacred Stones of Shrikshetra: Unveiling the Mystery of the Mukti Shila

In the heart of Puri, within the sacred precincts of the Shri Jagannath Temple, lie not only divine idols but also powerful stones, known as shilas, each imbued with profound spiritual significance. Among these is the Mukti Shila (Liberation Stone), a symbol of ultimate freedom. Let’s embark on a journey to explore the mystical world of these shilas and their roles within the Shrikshetra.

The Significance of Shilas in Indian Tradition

Indian culture is rich with the tradition of worship, and the veneration of shilas (stones) is an age-old practice. Devotees worship shaligrams (specific black stones considered holy) at home, in temples, and at sacred sites. These shilas are not merely stones; they are believed to be embodiments of the divine.

The Four Sacred Shilas of Shrikshetra

Within Shri Jagannath Temple, four shilas hold special significance:

1. Mukti Shila: Located near the Swetaganga pond, it is believed to grant liberation.

2. Yama Shila (Iron Stone): A black stone, situated on the second step of the Baisi Pahacha, associated with conquering fear of death.

3. Brahma Shila: Also known as Kaivalya Shila, it is located within the inner sanctum and is associated with attaining final liberation.

4. Pitru Shila: Located near Balisahi, this is where people perform rituals for their ancestors.

These shilas are considered chinmaya (conscious), and those who approach them with an open mind can receive their messages.

Mukti Shila: A Gateway to Liberation

The Mukti Shila resides near the Swetaganga, one of the five sacred water bodies in Puri. It is believed that a touch of the Mukti Shila, after bathing in the Swetaganga, grants liberation from the cycle of life and death.

• Why is it called Mukti Shila?:
  This stone embodies the path to liberation. It’s said to hold the essence of spiritual release.

• The Legend of Mukti Shila:
  The stone is said to contain the imprints of six feet belonging to three sages, hence its power.

The Mukti Shila is guarded by Ugreswara Bhairava, emphasizing its spiritual power. It is believed that when people are in their last moments and in pain, they can find liberation through this sacred stone. In the past, people who had a loved one in great pain, would make a small offering of pana near the Mukti Shila, and after touching it to the khanda (sword) of Ugrasena in the Bhrigu Ashram, the dying person would drink that pana, and their suffering would come to an end, thus granting them a peaceful death.

Other Sacred Shilas

Besides the Mukti Shila, other shilas within Shrikshetra also hold great importance.

• Pitru Shila: Near the Bhaibohu Kua (a well), this stone is where people perform rituals for their deceased ancestors.

• Yama Shila: Situated on the second step of the Baisi Pahacha, it’s also known as Saptamatruka Shila. It is believed that by stepping on it and looking towards the Neelachakra, one can overcome the fear of death, and their sins are absolved.

• Brahma Shila: Also known as the Kaivalya Shila, this is the stone upon which the muruj design is drawn and the Kaivalya offering is made to Lord Jagannath.

Mukti Shila: Our Relationship

We must acknowledge the inevitability of death, but also realize that physical suffering is also a part of life. However, liberation from suffering, fear and death are important too, and the Mukti Shila is a conduit to that.

The Mukti Shila is not about superstition but about acknowledging and addressing the human experience. It teaches us about the impermanence of life, and the constant need to connect with the eternal, so that we can overcome suffering. It’s a reminder that the power to be liberated resides within us and in our devotion. The Mukti Shila has no specific place in the ritualistic tradition of the temple.

Scriptural Basis

The glory of the Mukti Shila is described in the Brahma Purana, Rudra Yamala Purana, and in the stories of Sweta Madhava and the Swetaganga Mahatmya. In ancient texts such as the Kashi Khanda, the veneration of shilas is a common theme across India, where people see these stones as a means to access the divine.
Regardless of our belief, the Mukti Shila continues to offer a pathway to liberation for those who seek it.

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