Last Updated on September 6, 2022 by
~~OM~~
Vindhya is the name of a mountain range which indicates knowledge, which begets humility. Because remember, Vindhya, he had a very interesting story, he did tremendous tapasya. He said to Shiva, “I want to be taller than Mount Meru.” And Shiva said, “What would you want that for?” And he said, “Well I’m tired of being looked down upon, I want to be the tallest among mountains.” Shiva said, “Tatastu (so be it).” And Vindhya started to grow, and he started to grow so tall.
Now, the Sun was making his daily circumambulation of the earth, and he saw this huge mountain standing in his way. And He said, “Hey Vindhya, What are you doing? Get out of my way! I gotta go around the earth.” Vindhya said, “No, I got the boon, and I can be taller than Meru and I’m not moving. I’m not moving for anyone.” Surya got stuck. And then nobody on earth knew what time it was and they all stopped their yagyas. And the Gods got weak, no one was feeding the Gods.
So then the Gods got really scared. What happened? And they went to see, and they saw Vindhya was taller than Meru, and the Sun was stuck there and couldn’t pass. They said, “What are we gonna do? How are we going to make Vindhya come down to his normal size?”
They thought and meditated and they all decided to go to Benares. And they went to Benares, and in a cave on the bank of the Ganga, Agastya Muni was meditating. All the Gods came to Agastya Muni’s cave. Agastya bowed down with devotion, “All the Gods have come, what seva can I possibly do for you? The Gods said, “Vindhya got the boon that he would be taller than Meru, and now the Sun is stuck and He can’t pass to make his daily circumambulation of the earth. And nobody’s making yagya, nobody’s worshiping and the Gods are getting weak. You have to find a way to humble Vindhya and make him lower himself. You have to destroy his pride.”
Agastya said, “Namaste. I am pleased and privileged to serve the Gods.” He took his asan and his kamandalu and he started to walk. And he walked right up to the Vindhya mountains. And Vindhya said, “Namaste. Agastya Muni has come to me. What seva can I do for you?” And Agastya said, “Vindhya, I’m on a pilgrimage to the south of India, and you have become so tall that I can’t cross. Would you please lower yourself just for a moment so I can pass, and I’ll complete my pilgrimage?” And Vindhya said, “Yes, I’m pleased to serve a Rishi like you.”
And Agastya climbed over Vindhya, and He said, “Oh, and please just stay there until I come back!”