As per directions of Shri Hari, Narayanji Suthar prepares Murtis for worship.
As per directions of Shri Hari, Narayanji Suthar prepares Murtis for worship.
O king, while living in that city, Narayan Muni thought of spreading the religious sect of Krishna worship everywhere. 1.
It should be the worship of the picture of Krishna for every human being; therefore, I shall make it the worship of the visible form (since it is the simplest). 2.
Thinking thus, he called from old Durgapur his devotee Narayanji who was a metal-worker, and said to him- 3.
Since you are highly skilled (in the art of) image-medals, I have called you here. ‘O, sinless one, make a medallion of Krishna and of me. 4.
Directed thus, that artisan, skilled in that art answered in the affirmative and struck two medallions, beautiful and charming. 5.
He struck one pendant with the images of Krishna roaming about with Radha in Vrndavan and with Narayan Muni (etched on it.) 6.
He struck another pendant with Narayan Muni and Bhakti (devotion) and dharma (righteousness) (etched on it). On seeing those two medallions, the Lord was pleased. 7.
Then the Lord directed him to make a medallion of Narnarayan; ‘O king, it took the artisan two months to strike these three medallions. 8.
The Lord rewarded him with a lot of money, costly garments and two golden bracelets. 9. Then, at the hands of the sage Adharanan, he imprinted those images on paper in thousands. 10.
The spring festival.
The Lord’s two brothers, Ramapratap and Ichharam, desirous of staying with him for life, lived with him (then after). 11.
Then at the command of the Lord, they directed their eldest sons, Nandaram and Gopalaram to return to their native place. 12.
They said to their respective fathers that they would leave after having witnessed the spring festival. 13.
Then came the fifth day of the bright half of the month of Magha; and the Lord offered worship to Krishna befitting the arrival of the spring season. 14.
From different places came his disciples to attend the occasion, comprising ascetics and householders with their womenfolk. 15.
The Lord offered worship to Krishna with Radha and Laksmi (Sri), performed various rites and offered saffron robes (to them) as per the custom. 16.
He then offered Maha-Naivedya (fruits and eatables as part of worship) and performed great Arati; then he played with his followers using various colors and perfumes. 17.
Thereafter, he fed numerous ascetics and Brahmins with (eatables) made of ghee and sugar and finally took his food. 18.
Exhortation in the afternoon meeting.
Then in the afternoon there was a held a meeting in a large Mandap; that great sage occupied a high seat in it. 19.
In front of him sat ascetics with pure hearts, scholars of the Vedas and shatras, the Brahmins and Pauranikas in large numbers. 20.
Facing him sat (according to their status) Sannyasins, followers of great vows, and house-holders in thousands. 21.
Near his seat sat his brothers who were residents of Ayodhya along with their sons, and other relatives. 22.
Surrounded by his disciples’ the Lord shone in that congregation, like a moon surrounded by constellations. 23.
Then he, the knower of the secret of all the Shastras, looking at his devotees with eyes full of compassion and delight, said- 24.
The words of Narayan Muni
O devotees, those devotees of Vishnu, who are in the sect of Uddhav, have to undertake pilgrimage (to holy places). 25.
It most cases, the devotees of God get to meet each other at centers of pilgrimage; it is here that they have the vision of the images of Rama, Krishna(and other deities). 26.
Sages of Brahman, with Markandeya, Dhaumya and Lomasa chief among them always undertook journeys to these holy places. 27.
Ksatriya sages, loyal to righteousness with Yudhisthir as their chief, also undertook pilgrimages to holy places for the pleasure of Hari. 28.
Therefore, all my good disciples also should undertake pilgrimages to the Ganga and other places with faith and as per their capabilities. 29.
Those who practice holy bath, charity, worship of Krishna and satisfying of Brahmins and Vaisnavas at centre’s pilgrimages are freed from all sins. 30.
Of all the holy places, the best in this country is that place known as Dwarika; it (the journey to Dwarika) fulfills all our desired objects. 31.
Here the beloved of Rukmini , Krishna, permanently resides in the charming golden temple constructed by (the god) Trastr himself. 32.
When Krishna destroyed the entire Yadu clan and himself vanished at Prabhasa, the sea inundated that city, leaving the Krishna temple intact. 33.
That Lord, invisible to the people after he destroyed his clan, is residing in his own temple (there) for the good of us all. 34.
Therefore, this city Dwarika is known as the city of emancipation; there is no other holy place like this for our well- being in Kali-yuga. 35.
For this reason, both house-holders and ascetics should perform the rites prescribed in accordance with their status at that (holy place). 36.
‘O devotees, the house-holders in particular should incur laudable expenditure and render service to holy men at these centers of pilgrimage. 37.
The Lord directs his relatives to go to Dwarika.
That great preceptor, after having thus exhorted his devotees, looked in the direction of his relatives who then were at the point of leaving for Ayodhya. 38.
He said to the two elder sons of his brothers and the son of his maternal uncle, ‘ you go back to your city only after completing pilgrimage to Dwarika.’ 39.
This pilgrimage should necessarily be undertaken by the followers of the Uddhav (sect); there they should have the vision of the Lord of Dwarika.’ 40.
There, one should bathe in the waters of the Gomati and indulge in charity according to one’s capacity; one should also get Krishna’s weapons imprinted on both the arms (Tapta mudra dharana).’ 41.
One should also feed Brahmins and holy men there as per one’s capacity.’ On hearing this command of Narayan Muni, they replied, 42.
The Lord directs Sacchidanand Muni to escort them to Dvarika.
‘O Lord, we shall surely go to Dwarika city and perform all the rites related to its pilgrimage as per our capacity. 43.
But ‘O Hari, since we hail from a distant country, we do not know the way to it (Dwarika) and the town and villages enroute where we can stay. 44.
If there is someone here who knows these details, we shall depart for Dwarika with him right away as directed by you.’ 45.
On hearing this request of his, the omniscient Lord pondered as to who in that assembly was capable of carrying out this mission. 46.
Then spotting one Sacchidand who was well-advanced in Samadhi and fearless like Bharat, the son of Rsabh, he said- 47.
‘O holy man, you are a devotee of Krishna, and worthy of worship among these saints; you know this route; therefore, you escort these (people) to Dwarika. 48.
There are others here who are desirous of undertaking that pilgrimage; they all will go there when the cold season is over.’ 49.
But it is proper for you to go there with these residents of Ayodhya today because they have to be sent home this year. 50.
‘O very intelligent one, you undertake pilgrimage to Dwarika and extend this benefit also to these people and having made them comfortable on the route, you should come back. 51.
‘O sage, when it is so willed by Krishna, I will also go there with these holy saints .’ 52.
So directed by Narayan Muni, that great yogi, very obedient to him, bowed to him with folded hands and said- 53.
For your love I shall carry out your order as per your directions. Let these (people) ready themselves with provisions for the pilgrimage. 54.
When it was said so, the Lord asked the Brahmin Mayaram standing in front of him to choose the auspicious time for their departure. 55.
Then that old Brahmin pulled out an almanac from his large headgear . 56.
Looking into it, he concluded that in view of the Lagn and Candrabala (stellar configurations), the ninth day of the bright half of the month of Magha was the best time for the purpose. 57.
Permitted by the Lord, all the people went home keeping in mind his advice with reverence. He also retired to his residence. 58.
On the ninth day of the bright half of the month, they were ready to depart, after bowing to him and remembering the Lord of Dwarika. 59.
‘O king, he gave them a lot wealth, horses and armed footsoldiers and bade them farewell on the auspicious moment of their pilgrimage to Dwarika. 60.
Thus ends the twenty eighth chapter entitled ‘Description of the fruits of pilgrimage and the glory of the city of Dwarika’ in the fourth Prakaran of Satsangijivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as ‘Dharmashastra’ (the rules of the code of conduct). 28
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