KANVASHRAM
A National Heritage
Introduction
"KANVASHRAM is neither a religious nor a godly place but a place which represents the very spirit or soul of this mighty nation BHARAT. To bring such a place back to its pinnacle of glory should be the dream and ambition of every citizen of this nation."
Every nation has memorials which are symbol of its national unity and inspiration to its citizens. Dignitaries & people from far and wide visit such site and pay glowing tributes to the creator or architect of that nation. NO SUCH MEMORIAL EXISTS IN OUR NATION WHICH HONOURS THE CREATOR OF THIS ANCIENT CIVILISATION.
Though a considerable time has been lost, but to make amends at this late stage may still be sufficient motivation to the coming generation to hold this vast stretch of landmass together like Emperor Bharat did. So that it continues to be respectfully addressed to as "BHARAT VARSH".
"The magnanimous Himalayas and Shivalik ranges shelter the sacred river Malini."
The Sacred Landscape
South of the magnanimous Himalayan mountains and running parallel to it runs the Shivalik mountain range (meaning tresses of Lord Shiva). Shivalik mountain range is covered with dense forest of lush Sal trees. Doon valley and the world famous tiger reserve sanctuary, Jim Corbet park lie in these mountain range.
Also nestled in its dense forest and within its folds flows the pious river Malini. Some 4000 years ago on the bank of this river was situated the world famous ashram of sage Kanav. It was called Kanvashram. It was a centre of spiritual and academic studies, a university in today's terminology, where tens of thousands of students acquired knowledge under the guidance of chancellor sage Kanv.
Sacred Verses
"ऐष चारस्मदगुरे कण्वपतेः सदधदैवय इवः।शाकुन्तलया अनुमालिनीतीर आश्रमो दश्यते ।।"
- अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तलम प्रथम अंक
"The ashram of chancellor Kanv can be seen near the hills on the bank of river Malini. The caretaker of the ashram is presently Shakuntala."
"निर्जने तु वने यश्माच्छकुन्तेःपरिपालिता।शकुन्तलेति नामाश्स्याः कतं चापि ततो मया ।।"
- अभिज्ञान शाकुन्तलम प्रथम अंक
"As she was found by sage Kanv in the dense jungles protected by chirping birds she was named Shakuntala by the sage and was brought up by him."
The Eternal Love Story
It was here on the banks of river Malini where King Dushyant out on a hunt saw Shakuntala, foster daughter of sage Kanv. King Dushyant fell in love with Shakuntala and married her. It was in this very Kanvashram, where Shakuntala-King Dushyant's son Bharat was born.
"प्रस्थे हिमतो रम्ये मालिनीममितो नदीम् । जातमुत्सज्यन्त गर्भ मेनका मलिनिमनुः।"
- Mahabharat Sambhav Parva 72
"At one end of the beautiful snow covered region on the banks of the pious river Malini, born out of the womb of Menaka, Shakuntala has given birth to a child."
It was in the jungles around Kanvashram on the bank of river Malini that this fearless brave boy spent his childhood playing with wild animals and lion cubs. It was this very child who later grew up to rule this vast stretch of land and came to be known as Emperor Bharat.
Ready for Your Spiritual Journey?
"Though the ferocity of time & invaders have destroyed every trace of the physical existence of Kanv Ashram on ground, the great poet Kalidas made Kanvashram and all those associated with it immortal in his world famous literary creation 'Abighyan Shakuntalam'."