Devotees request Lord Narayan to visit Srinagar (i.e. Ahmedabad)
Devotees request Lord Narayan to visit Srinagar (i.e. Ahmedabad)
Suvrat said:-
On hearing that the Lord had come to Durgapur in the ninth month, devotees living at other places came in thousands to see him and were happy. 1.2.
Felicitating the Lord, they stayed there for eight days during which the Lord celebrated the festival of Akshaya-Tritiya. 3.
At the end of the festival, the devotees, who were residents of Srinagar, prayed to him (Lord Narayan) with folded hands.’ 4.
‘O Lord, it is fit for you to visit our city. It is the desire of all over here to construct a temple at that place. 5.
The official authorized by the ruler of that province has approved this plan; he himself has great love for you. 6.
Please fulfill this desire of ours; we shall render service unto you along with the service of the sages accompanying you. 7.
Requested in this way, Lord Narayan, the patron of Bhakti- dharma, accepted their request and they were happy. 8.
Lord Narayan’s words to Anandanand; departure of the visiting devotees.
Then Lord Narayan said to the sage called Anandanand - ‘You go to Srinagar with these (devotees) immediately.’ 9.
The ruler there will offer land for (constructing) our temple. You should get a temple built there as per the norms of architecture.’ 10.
When the temple is ready, you should send an emissary here. Then going over there, I shall install (the image of) Narnarayan. 11.
Directed thus, he responded affirmatively; those devotees, offering obeisance to the Lord again requested him to visit their city and departed along with the sages. 12.
On reaching Srinagar, the sage (Anandanand) stayed with his companions in a house appropriate for his stay. 13.
His welcome at Srinagar.
The citizens rendered befitting service unto him; the ruler of that place went to see him. 14.
He said to him, ‘O sage, take right today and land of your choice of any measurement; nobody is going to stop you.’ 15.
The temple is ready; invitation to Lord Narayan.
Then the sage oversaw the building of a large, strong and beautiful temple on the land granted by that ruler and chosen by him. 16.
He further beautified it through the services of skilled artisans; the town’s people with great reverence brought (to him) all the articles desired by him. 17.
When the time was opportune for the installation of the deity, the sage consulted astrologers and fixed the day and time for it. 18.
The great sage then dispatched two holy men to Durgapur to bring the Lord and to give him an update of the work. 19.
Lord Narayan’s schedule at Durgapur in the meantime.
The Lord stayed there (in Durgapur), waiting for the return of his two brothers from the pilgrimage (to Dwarika) because he was desirous of listening to the Ramayana of Valmiki in their company. 20.
On the day Dasahara (the third day of the bright fortnight of the month of Jyestha) he celebrated the ‘worship of Ganga’ and gave a feast to Brahmins, at the sun’s meridian. 21.
As the Lord was leaving for his brother’s wife’s residence for dinner, those two (brothers) arrived from Dwarika. 22.
Knowing that there is great religious merit in welcoming those who come back from pilgrimage, he went up to them and embraced them with reverence. 23.
Offering obeisance to the elder and being saluted by the younger, he welcomed them and asked them to rest for a while. 24.
After their bath, he partook food with them with pleasure; from that afternoon he began listening to the Ramayana from them. 25.
Beginning from the Nirjata Ekadashi (i.e. the next day), he listened to the Valmiki Ramaya (alongwith them) as per the rules of Pravachana. 26.
On the Ekadashi of the month of Pausa he brought this (program) to completion. He rewarded the reader with garments, ornaments and money. 27.
Then, beginning from the full-moon day of Pausa to the fullmoon day of Magha, he performed Ganga-snana (bathing in the river) everyday at dawn with his devotees, and observed the vow of Chandrayan for one month. 28.
At the end of the vow, he pleased thousands of holy men and Brahmins, (with gifts) and celebrated the completion (of this undertaking - Parana), and was taking rest on his throne. 29.
Emissaries arrive from Srinagar; departure for Srinagar.
At the very time arrived those two ascetics from Srinagar; saluting the Lord as they stood before him; he received them with reverence. 30.
First he invited them to dinner and then he heard from them the purpose of their coming. They explained it in detail and he gave his approval. 31.
On knowing that the installation was scheduled on the third day of Phalguna, he directed his followers to be ready to leave for that city. 32.
He forbade the female followers like Jaya etc. to go there on account of the heavy crowds in that city, though they were eager to accompany him. 33.
He assured them, ‘We shall return here soon’; he departed from there on the seventh day at the auspicious time chosen by the astrologers. 34.
He was accompanied by king Uttam, his own counselors and thousands of kshatriya warriors mounted on horses. 35. Mounting a speedy horse and accompanied by his brothers and holy men, the Lord went to Srinagar. 36.
Worshipped on the way at different places by hordes of devotees, the Lord reached that city with his followers on the fifth day. 37.
He encamped on the outskirts of the city near the lake called Kankariya; there the citizens offered service to him. 38.
Natthu, Hemantaram, Ganapati and other Brahmins— all devotees of the Lord, rendered service to the Lord with pleasure. 39.
The merchant devotees of the Lord, namely, Hirachand, Bechardas, Laldas, Maniklal, Damodarda and others also rendered service unto the Lord. 40.
And the female devotees Ganga, Reva, Deepali, Laksmi, Shyama, Shiva etc. rendered unto him befitting service. 41.
Other citizens, eager to have a glance at him, came out of the city in thousands and were greatly happy to see him. 42.
They offered him hospitality and also to his followers. The sage Anandanand, going up to him and offering obeisance, gave his report to the Lord. 43.
The Lords enters Srinagar.
On the twelfth day the Lord, after observing Parana (breaking of fast), entered the city, mounted on a caparisoned horse and was being prayed to by the citizens. 44.
Before and after him, and to his both sides, moved citizens in thousands in groups. 45.
Drums and musical instruments of different kinds resounded and singers/sang of his virtues in a sweet voice. 46.
Bearing weapons of different varieties and mechanized rifles, thousands marched ahead of him in military formations. 47.
On hearing that the Lord of great reputation had entered the city with hordes of his devotees, all the citizens, leaving their works, rushed out of their houses immediately. 48.
Keeping away from (obstructing) his path, but very eager to have a look at him, they formed (human) chains by locking their hands (on both sides of the road). 49.
Hearing the great resounding tune of the musical instruments, with their eyes fixed in the direction of his arrival, mutually pointing to him with their hands, they saluted the Lord from afar. 50.
Shining with the royal insignia of a white parasol and Chamars, Hari, the Lord won the hearts of the citizens and saw that wonderfully beautiful city. 51.
Its principal roads and squares were sprinkled over with perfumed water and elephant ichors; golden pitchers filled with auspicious substances and plantain-trunks were placed(along the road); it was a sight worth seeing. 52.
With its rows of large mansions shining in the sun, and decorated with lamps, flags and perfumes, it (the city), as it were, itself welcomed him. 53.
And those people saw him as he entered- he of a beautiful physique, charming like the full moon, smiling and distinguished by the royal insignia (golden parasol and Chamars). 54.
The women in the city, leaving all other work and climbing atop the storey of the mansions, not mindful of their ornaments and clothes looked at him without batting an eyelid. 55.
Greatly-elated merchants, abandoning their trade, felicitated him at different places and offered him various gifts. Like the devotees, they too were humble with their faith (firmly in him). 56.
The Brahmins worshipped him with Aksata, flowers and sandal and prayed to him; they sang hymns from the Sama Veda in a high pitch. 57.
Responding with befitting reverence to the citizens who were intently looking at him with folded hands, the Lord reached his new abode and dismounted from the horse. 58.
The Lord’s schedule during the following six days.
And then taking sage Anandanand by the hand, he inspected the new temple on all the sides and praised the artisans. 59.
Sitting there for a while in the midst of the devotees he opined that the temple (of such magnificence) was built as a result of the wish of Narayan. 60.
He then consulted the priests well-versed in the rites of installation and caused all kinds of auspicious articles to be brought by the citizens (for that purpose). 61.
After that, he returned to his residence and sat on his elevated seat. The citizens came to see him in the evening. 62.
The ruler of that city, desirous of having a vision of him, came every day and stood before him with folded hands like a servant. 63.
The Lord Hari (on his part) befittingly honored the ruler and extolled his generosity in granting the land. 64.
‘O Lord, please tell me what you desire me to do; I am at your service,’ saying this, the ruler, after saluting the Lord, went home. 65.
The Lord of the good then performed the chanting of Krishna’s name (Namasankritana); asked the citizens to go home and performed the evening rites at his residence. 66.
‘O king, thereafter his six days were spent in explaining the significance of that accomplished undertaking every day in the assembly. 67.
Escorting him to their respective homes with great admiration, and to the accompaniment of instrumental music and songs, the citizens, whose all wishes had been fulfilled, worshipped him with different rites. 68.
Pleasing all the people, Hari, the Lord, accepted with his own hands even a leaf offered (to him); he (in this way) confirmed them in the path of righteousness. 69.
Hordes of men and women from various towns and villages came from all directions everyday to see him. 70.
Eve of the installation ceremony.
On the day of dvitiya (second day), which was the eve of the installation, the Lord, for ensuring the success of the ritual, lodged in the city in his new abode (temple). 71.
The priests well-versed in the ritual performed the rite of svastivacana (declaring the holy intention), Grhamakha (domestic sacrifice prior to an auspicious occasion) and Adhivasana on the previous day. 72.
Installation of images in the temple.
On the third day of the month (of Phalgun, Samvat Era 1878) the Vedic priests (standing) in beautiful formations, performed the worship of the principal and subordinate deities at the hands of him. 73.
They caused (at his hands) the installation (of the images) of Nar-Narayan as per the rituals and offered a grand worship with Vedic mantras. 74.
At that time, all the quarters resounded with instrumental music, songs and Vedic mantras of the priests and also with the clapping of hands of the people. 75.
After performing the Aarti of Nar-Narayan, Hari, with a steady gaze, stood before the images for a while. 76.
‘O king, on seeing those two images sparkling with great luster, the people stood wonderstruck. 77.
Offering obeisance to them (the deities) and coming out of the temple, he satisfied all the deities by offering oblations to them through the priests and performed Purnahiti (successful completion of the event). 78.
Thereafter, the Lord gave the main priest his Daksina (fee) as desired by him and gave sumptuous fees to other priests and Brahmins. 79.
Then, climbing a high platform, he, with a gesture of his hand, asked the various groups of people to remain quiet because he desired to speak to them. 80.
While they stood in silence gazing at him, raising a hand, he said to them. 81.
The words of Narayan- Muni
‘Let all the people listen to me; I speak only for their well being; Shri Krishna, the Purusottama, is our desired deity. 82.
He stays at the centre of brilliance in Goloka, He has manifested Himself on the earth for the well-being of all the creatures. 83.
This idol of Dharmadev has to be meditated upon with firm devotion. The idols appearing as Dharmadev and his wife Bhakti, bestow their blessings upon all-creatures, when prayed to by offering golden robes. 84.
Thus pleasing those two (i.e. Dharmadev and his wife) with a blessing, he, assuming the name Nar-Narayan, arrived at Badrivan for the spiritual well-being (sreyas) of human beings. 85.
He still dwells in Badrivan in India, which is the land of duty (karmabhumi); he practices penance there for the fulfillment of desires and spiritual emancipation of those who resort to him. 86.
Supplicated by Brahman and other gods to remove the burden on the earth, he took birth in the Yadava clan as Shri Krishna. 87.
He was born in clan of the Kurus as Arjuna who, in fact, is Nara, and is the friend of Hari. When he is associated with him he is known as Nar-Narayan. 88.
That Nar-Narayan has been installed by me here; with devotion to him, people will no doubt achieve spiritual well-being. 89.
Those people who will have a regular vision of him every day, will get their desires fulfilled and achieve spiritual emancipation (Mukti). 90.
By rendering service unto him, those who desire for a son will beget a son; those who desire wealth, will get it; seekers of knowledge will get knowledge and a lover, his heart’s desire. 91.
All desires will be fulfilled by virtue of worshipping him; those who do not have any longing, will get spiritual emancipation (Mukti). 92.
Those learned ones who will recite Srimad Bhagavata and other Puranas in this temple or recite the Gayatri (mantra) here, will surely have all their desires fulfilled; they will want nothing in this world and in the next world. 93-94.
For those living at other places, his worship in the month of Phalguna under the constellation of Uttara Phalguni will prove very beneficial. 95.
The Lord retires to his lodgings after rewarding the priests.
Suvrat said:-
‘O king, the people, on hearing this speech of the Lord Hari, said with folded hands- ‘We shall do as you command’ and looked at him’. 96.
Then that generous god, well-inclined towards the Brahmins, satisfied them with food of their choice, gifts and dakshina (fees). 97.
At that time, that city was crowded with the horses of men and women who had come from different places; it was filled with the resounding tune of instrumental music and songs. 98.
Returning to his residence on the outskirts of the city, he took a bath and dined at his brother’s place that night; there that great soul made up his mind to give a feast to all the eighty-four Brahmins. 99.
That prompt doer (of his will) gave, on the very next day, a sumptuous feast to all the citizens and the horses of Brahmins who had come to the banks of the lake outside the city. 100.
‘O king, it was a great celebration for the Gurjara Brahmins, who greatly relish ghee, to partake food with their wives. 101.
Having fed them and satisfying them with Dakshinas (fees), he sent them home and then the Lord sat in comfort on his high seat surrounded by rows of tamarind trees. 102.
The people were greatly surprised that in a single day he fed citizens and Brahmins in thousands. 103.
All the people experienced great joy at that time; from the young to the old all praised his success. 104.
On the fifth day, he prepared the arrangements to be made for the (daily) worship and (occasional) festivals of Naranarayan in accordance with the traditions of the sect. 105.
Departure for Durgapur.
That very day, after taking dinner, the Lord along with his followers, departed in the afternoon, offering obeisance to Narnarayan. 106.
He requested the citizens, (who were) following him gladly on their own, to return; accompanied by his followers, he reached Durgapur. 107.
He afforded great joy to his protégés by giving them the chance to see the festival of the swing (Dolostava) in that city and on returning (from there) he took rest at his residence. 108.
The women devotees after knowing that he had returned, shed the sorrow of separation from him, came to see him and saluted him with reverence. 109.
Thus ends the twenty fifth chapter entitled ‘Description of events during Narayan Muni’s visit to Srinagara’ in the fourth Prakaran of Satsangijivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as ‘Dharmashastra’ (the rules of the code of conduct). 25
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