A blaze of glory of the sacred river Sabarmati on whose banks Sant Shri Asharamji Ashram, Ahmedabad, from where the Ganga of jnana(Self-knowledge), devotion and seva(selfless service) flows constantly, is located has been described in the shastras. Even more significant is the glory of the northern bank of the Sabarmati and the place where its water flows from east to west. Both of these apply to the current location of the ashram, making this land particularly conducive to spiritual benefit. Let us explore its glory.                  

In the Padma Purana (Uttara Khanda), Lord Shiva says to Parvati, a goddess, I shall aptly describe the greatness of the Sabramati. The best sage Kashyapa practised severe penance for this. O goddess, one day he went to the Naimisa (forest) where all the sages were narrating stories in many ways. Then the sages properly asked that sage Kashyapa, 'O Kashyapa, for our pleasure, bring the Ganga here, O lord. That best river will pass by your name.'

Having heard their words, and having saluted those brahmanas, he came to the (Arbuda) forest and practiced intense penance. Propitiated with that brahmana Kashyapa, I then appeared in person in front of him, and taking off a hair from my matted hair, I gave him the Ganga along with it. Taking her, the best brahmana gladly went to his place. Formerly, O Parvati, I had given King Bhagiratha this Ganga. And later, I again gave her to Kashyapa. She is called differently in each age. In the Sat or Krita (age), she was called Kritavati and Girikarnika in Treta. She was named Chandanaa in Dvaapara, and she is known as Sabhramati (Sabarmati) in Kali (age). This Kashyapa Ganga always removes disease and blemishes. O goddess, this is the greatest (river). It is purifying in all worlds. 

She is most blessed, pure, and destroys sins, O goddess. O chief goddess, Pitri-tirtha, all holy places including Prayaga, Madhava, the noble Vateshvara, Dashaashvamedha and the auspicious Gangadvara always live in Sabhramati by my order. Nandaa, Lalita, and the holy place with seven streams; so also, the holy place called Mitrapada and Shankara's abode Kedara; and Gangasagara as they call it; all this, being full of holy places, is auspicious. Like this, there is the holy place called Brahmasaras in the pool of Shatadru. So also, the holy place called Naimisa. All these, O goddess undoubtedly, live in the water of the Sabhramati on my words. 

The auspicious river Shveta valkalini, (the river) Shveta hiranyamayi, (the river) Hastimati and Sagargamini, flowing towards the ocean all these are dear to the dead ancestors, and give the fruit of a crore of Shraddhas. Shraddhas should be offered there by sons for the good of their deceased ancestors. Those men on earth, who bathe there and offer gifts, enjoy happiness in this world and go to the eternal (place) of Vishnu. All these rivers have always, especially reached (flowed into) the Sabarmati.'

As per Pujya Bapuji's satsang-discourses: "The sankalpa (resolve or pure will) made by the yogins is immensely powerful. Even a pinch of dust given by them to anyone for any purpose with their pure will yields desired results. Thus, if Yogeshvara Lord Shiva (the Lord of Yogins) gives a hair from His matted hair or pinch of dust to someone with a powerful resolve; how can it not bring desired results? The carrier, the medium of sankalpa like a strand of hair, or a pinch of soil, etc., are merely instrumental. Lord Shiva says, 'O Parvati! I gave the Ganga to the great sage Kashyapa; and that very Ganga is known as the Sabhramati (Sabarmati). Due to offering pitras (oblations to dead ancestors) into the Ganga, the wise say that these Dhumra, Mitrapada, similarly Vaijanatha, Drshadvara, river Kshipra, Mahakala, so also the mountain Kalinjara, Gangodabhoota, Harodabheda, Narmada are equal (in religious merit). O chief goddess, these places sacred to Brahma are on the northern bank of the Sabhramati, are protected by gods led by Brahma. O great goddess, they destroy people's sins merely by their being remembered. Then what to say of those men offering shraaddhas, O chief goddess? This is the greatest river. It is purifying in all worlds.

Let us go to the Sabarmati, let us go to the Ganga both are prasada (sacred gifts as blessings) from Lord Shiva. While the Ganga the (Holy Ganges) is widely known, people aren't as aware of the glory of the Sabarmati. And now, even the stream of the holy River Narmada flows into it, doubling its sanctity, for the River Narmada too holds its own significance and glory. 

And the land where our ashram is located was once the residence of Sage Jaabalya where he spent quite a lot of time. When we began digging the foundations near the semicircular entrance of the ashram, we excavated a lot of ash(many tractor loads) remnants of yajnas performed during ancient times that might have undoubtedly continued for years.  due to which, there were many deep pits. Eventually, we had to construct a basement or (underground rooms) there.  

So, this Sabarmati bank was a place where many rishis and munis lived in their hermitages. The exact place where the ashram is located was the place where Jaabalya Rishi lived. I happened to casually arrive there while wandering around, and sensed the positive, spiritual vibes of this land and got a cottage built here. Every land carries its own vibes and energy. As you approach the ashram from the main road, you'll realize a certain level of purity and sanctity in your thoughts. 

For the past 52-53 years, meditation, chanting, satsang-discourses, etc., have been performed here uninterrupted, but even before that, Sage Jaabalya and other ancient rishis prior to him, undoubtedly performed penance and japa here.'

Lord Shiva continues, 'The water of the Sabhramati, which flows there, from the east to west, is holier than even that at Prayaaga, is great, and fulfils all desires. The gifts given here to best braahmanas, the oblations offered into fire here, the shraaddha offered here, and the muttering (of a hymn done) here would be inexhaustible. Due to the grace of Maheshvara and the glory of this holy place, a man obtains whatever object he desires.' 

The River Sabarmati does, in fact, flow from east to west at the location of Sant Shri Asharamji Ashram. For the past 53 years, spiritual practices like satsang-discourses, japa, kirtans, meditations, havans, shraaddha rituals, etc., have been performed here, bringing immense benefit to people. For the welfare of humanity, it is essential that the ashram be preserved and protected at this sacred site.