Narupant (minister of Sayajirao Maharaja) arrives from (Vatapatan) Vadodara in Vadatal.
Narupant (minister of Sayajirao Maharaja) arrives from (Vatapatan) Vadodara in Vadatal.
Suvrat said:-
Then, while the Lord was relaxing at the end of the festival (of Bhaktidev), there arrived from Vadodara, Narupant along with the cavalry and stood near him. 1.
The Lord felicitated him in a befitting manner with welcome and other formalities, as he stood saluting. The Lord knew that the king’s minister was his devotee and therefore he had come. 2.
Taking his seat near him he said with folded hands, ‘Oh master, please accept the request of king Sayajirao.’ 3.
I have been sent by him to take you to Vadodara. In his heart, there is a great and mighty desire to see you. 4.
O Lord, ever since he met Muktanand, he has been constantly thinking of you. 5.
It is, therefore, fit for you to fulfill his desire now; even Muktanand has opined that his work deserves to be done. 6.
Then the Lord said these words pleasing Narupant, ‘I know that king’s guileless (pure) feelings towards me.’ 7.
O sinless one, this has already been reported to me by Muktanand; therefore, I shall go there since your words are also worthy of consideration.’ 8.
Thus addressed by the Lord, he was pleased and bowed to him; then he offered him the presents and gifts sent by the king. 9.
After having offered precious garments and fruits, he, with the permission of the Lord, retired to his lodging. 10.
The Lord also returned to his dwelling after handing over the garments to Muktanand and after distributing the fruits to holy men. 11.
Then, summoning Narupant early (next) morning, the Lord said to him, ‘Take your dinner and go ahead and report to the king of my arrival.’ 12.
I will certainly reach there on the Panchami day with my followers.’ Thus addressed, he bowed to him and after eating his food, he left for Vadodara. 13.
After reaching there, he (Narupant) went to the king and gave him the report; pleased, the king arranged for the lodging of the Lord in the Mastubag garden. 14.
Arrival of Vatpattan Swami.
After having taken his food, the Lord left on the fourth day for Vadodara in his own horse and was followed by his horsemen, foot-soldiers and holy men. 15.
Worshipped on the way by hordes of his devotees and looked at with wonder by others, he camped at the village Sankarda after having crossed the Mahi river. 16.
Entertained there with appropriate hospitality and reverence by Ganesh and other devotees, he stayed at that place for a night and on the next morning he left after performing his usual rituals, followed by his men. 17.
In the city of Vadodara, there were heard, from every house, shouts of joy on account of his arrival; his adversaries there did not get sleep; they were restless all the night. 18.
Some who were eager to debate with him were ready with numerous points of arguments; others, who were desirous of fighting with him made their weapons and companions ready for the purpose. 19.
Those who had good sense and had heard of his excellent qualities were eager to have a look at him; others, who feared he might have wiles, were afraid and hid from him. 20.
Extremely eager to have his vision, the king put his four-fold army in charge of Narupant and sent him in the morning along with it to receive the Lord. 21.
Seeing him approach the city at a distance of one Yojana, he promptly dismounted from his horse (and walked up to him); he bowed to him, and offered him befitting respects. 22.
Shri Shri Haririding the elephant.
Then he made the Lord mount the decorated elephant with Ambary, a specialty for different vehicles used for a number of other holy men. 23.
He provided elephants for some, excellent horses for others as also chariots, palanquins etc. 24.
Sitting at the back of the Lord, he (i.e. Narupant) fanned him with a Chaurie. Then all musical instruments resounded along with the cries of victory to the Lord. 25.
Then all of them proceeded towards the city; the citizens went ahead to receive the Lord; he saw them in thick throngs in the midst of the road from his elephant. 26.
With shining luster of the body, his face full of sweet smile, wearing a fine white garment, followed by galloping steeds, surrounded by hordes of elephants, with splendor like that of Indra, he entered the city amidst shouts of “victory to you” and the sound of all sorts of musical instruments. 27.
The king received the report that he had entered the city and on each and every street, people are looking at him in amazement in great hordes; overjoyed, the king also proceeded to receive him; on seeing him, he bowed with reverence and brought him to his great palace; making him dismount from the elephant, he embraced him with great joy and humility. 28.
Thus ends the forty first chapter entitled ‘Description of Narayan Muni’s visit to Vadodara’ in the fourth Prakaran of Satsangijivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as ‘Dharmashastra’ (the rules of the code of conduct). 41
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