The Buddhist literature Digha Nikaya refers to the Indrasala Cave, also known as Indrasila Guha or Indrasaila Cave, as a cave site. This was the cave where the Buddha temporarily resided and taught the Lord Indra the Sakkapaha Sutta.
The Lord of Sakra visited the Buddha in this sutta and questioned his abiding confidence in the Dharma, his connection to the teachings, and his attainment of streamwinning. The sub-themes focus on the devoted woman Gopik and the devaputra Gopak, as well as the gandharva Pacasikha, his music, and his love interest.
Sakra visits the Buddha at the Indasāla cave in Vediya mountain, and, with the help of Pañcasikha, he was able to meet Buddha. Sakra asks the Buddha a set of 5 questions, covering a total of 14 topics . The Sutta closes with Sakra’s showing his gratitude to Pañca,sikha, and attaining of streamwinning along with other devas.The young gandharva Pacca,sikha is described by the Sutta's narrator as playing his veena and singing poems "about the Buddha, the Dharma, the arhats, and love." It encompasses a variety of life's facets, including its aim (artha, sastra), way of living (dharma, sastra), love (kama, sastra), and freedom (moksha, sastra), or on what is beneficial, truthful, agreeable, and liberated.
The Buddha in answer made them understand that the Dharma is the "method" for self-awakening, and arhathood is the end goal. "Love"—as a feeling (lust) and activity (sex)—is what drives beings as a species, as human nature, and, specifically, as the psychology behind the nature of Siddhattha's renunciation. The Buddha intervened to help them and revealed the true "purpose" of life, mundane and spiritual. The liberation category is the fourth and last one (vimokkha). A reference was also made by famous Chinese traveller Master Xuan Zang in his travolouge about this cave.
Speaking of my own experience, I felt a deep sense of connectedness within. I felt like the Dharmakaya of Gautam Buddha was there (which may sound exaggeration), but I felt so. I was on the verge of life where I was experiencing a lack of balance in my work and personal lives. Yes, as a human being, I was also in a dilemma about love and life's purpose. To some extent, I saw the reality of myself and the people around me. Some do mischievous things intentionally, while others ignorantly. By seeing that I was in this profound paradox of Life.
I didn't question Buddha and was not even aware of this Cave and the Sakkapanna Sutta. I read Buddhist texts but never gave much focus and importance to write anything about it.
It was after a random plan and encounter with my Dhamma friend Dr. Skalzang (Shifu) that we both planned to visit this mountain on the weekend. She has great knowledge of Buddhism and even read thoroughly the travelogue of master Xuan Zang.
Together, we planned from our residence Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, Nalanda. We took a cab and at 11 o'clock we started our journey from Nalanda. Soon we crossed Silao market known for its famous sweet dish called khaja and then we crossed Rajhir City.
Finally, at around 11: 30 am, we reach the Gridhakuta Route. There we got fresh and had our lunch Chole Bature (favorite) and a cup of tea. Then we hired an e-rickshaw for rupees 500, there personal cabs were not allowed. At around 12:30 pm, we reached a very beautiful and exotic spot called Ghoda Kaotra, a place that was known since the ancient time during the reign of King Bimbisara.
We crossed Godha Katora and took the help of a local guide and our rickshaw driver, and started climbing the mountain where this cave was located. It took almost an hour for both of us to scale the mountain.
The cave was located not at the peak but quite in the middle portion of the mountain. Gradually we climbed. It was quite normal in the beginning, but as we scaled upward and reached just near the cave, to our surprise, there was a sharp cliff that need to mount up, in order to enter the cave. That was pretty challenging, but since we both are from the mountainous region (Ladakh), we scaled up quite easily with the aid of local guides.
It was I think 2 o'clock when we entered the cave. There we were left with great awe and exuberation of joy. Since we both share the stream of Buddhist Studies, we both understand without sharing words sometimes.
We look around and nearby, examining the cave and the stone architecture. To our surprise, there was another small cave-like structure within this cave. Since we are not rock expert, we just experienced peace. We offered candles and insence and then sit in meditation for like a half an hour.
In that meditation, I was after a long disconnection from myself, feeling connectedness with myself and the imaginary Buddha for the first time. I was bit emotional since I have been through a lot in these last two years because of work-life transition.
I felt like Buddha was neutral and calm as usual but appreciated and acknowledged my pain. I felt like a big tap on my shoulder for a job well done but somehow misunderstood by local people.
I felt like he was asking for me to get in tune with the music, which I love most but had forgotten due to work pressure.
I felt like he was insisting me and telling me the significance of music in life and its healing power.
I also shared about my love life and perplexed heart like Gandharava Panchasika. The Buddha answered me and urge me to accept whatever happened in the past and move on with whatever was bestowed at the moment.
I got the message clear and felt quite at ease. Then tears in my eyes started rolling. I wiped it out slowly because my dhamma friend was also in deep meditation. I don't want to disturb her peace.
Then, I questioned my life purpose about the way I was brought here. I asked whether I have any purpose. The answer I received was yes but you have to be patient.
Then, a considerable wave actually crossed outside, but since I was in the cave, so I felt at home and safe.
There the noise and voice inside my head separated for a while, and I realized the immense bliss I used to have in the past.
That moment was quite relaxing and miraculous for me. Then again, I felt like Buddha spoke to me, saying, "Be Fearless in Life."
Well, then we got out of the cave, took a few pictures, had some juice and chips, and left gradually.
That was a brief about my experience of visiting Indrasala cave.
