Honour of Shri Hari by Maharaja Saiyajirao and preachings by Shri Hari.
Honour of Shri Hari by Maharaja Saiyajirao and preachings by Shri Hari.
Suvrat said:-
Then he (i.e. the king) taking his (the Lord’s) hand in respect, and bowing to him, took him to his palace which was worthy to be seen by even kings. 1.
Seating him on his own beautiful throne, and standing in front of him like a servant, the king said to him with folded hands. 2.
‘O Lord, with your arrival a wish of my heart has been fulfilled; you always think of the well-being of the world; today you have made me pure and holy. 3.
This kingdom of mine has been purified by the touch of your lotus-like feet; from today, I shall be at your service, ‘O Lord.’ 4.
Saying this, the king, getting into his chariot and with his retinue of soldiers went Mastu-bagh along with the Lord. 5.
There he lodged him along with his followers in exquisite tents already pitched ahead of their arrival. 6.
The king offered him hospitality in keeping with his status; there, in attendance were the devotees Nathaji, Ramachandra and others. 7.
On the second day, the citizens and the devotees (there) offered him worship with exquisite garments, perfumes, flowers and money. 8.
On the third day, the king also took the Lord to his palace after dinner as he had done earlier, mounted on an elephant. 9.
Seating him on a high pedestal, he sat in front of him; he directed his people to sit as per the protocol. 10.
Then the Lord, removing the grief of all, spoke to the king standing before him with folded hands in humility. 11.
Preachings to Sayajirao Maharaj by Shri Hari.
The Narayan said:-
‘O King, listen with an attentive mind; I will tell you what is for your well-being. You should keep (this advice) constantly in your heart at all costs. 12.
‘O king, a human life (literally body, Deha) on the earth is difficult to get even for the gods; the end-result (Phala) of it is the achievement of liberation. 13.
Worldly happiness is available to all kinds of creatures; that to obtain which the people strive is not unattainable to human beings – (namely worldly happiness). 14.
Happiness is mixed with unhappiness; happiness without unhappiness is not perceived; one has as much (unhappiness) as one has happiness. 15.
All people suppose the king is full of happiness; I know him to be extremely unhappy. 16.
How can there be happiness for him, who is overwhelmed by excessive greed and who every moment suspects (evil designs of) thieves, enemies and his own kith and kin? 17.
O king, pure happiness without any admixture of misery is only with God; because He is the truth, sentient, blissful and truly independent. 18.
It is by worshipping Him that His devotees attain happiness; there is not an iota of that happiness with even the Lord of the three worlds. 19.
While all the people are being burnt by the dire of desire and avarice, the devotees of Vishnu never suffer from the heat, akin elephants standing in the Ganga-waters. 20.
You are wise, ‘O king; therefore, for your own good you should take shelter in Krishna- thereby you will achieve both worldly happiness and spiritual emancipation. 21.
Therefore, ‘O king, so long as one is conscious of the body (i.e. bodily existence), one should remain firm in one’s duties and at the same time be devoted to Krishna with love; this is my opinion. 22.
Suvrat said:-
Thus addressed by the Lord, the king, bowing to him, said, Lord, I know you indeed are Krishna; there is no doubt about it. 23.
I surrender to you; I am yours; please do favor to me’ by staying here for some time. 24.
The Lord said:-
My mind is set on hearing the Puranas; I am not in a position to stay here even for a day; that is certain. 25.
I came here knowing your pure faith in me. If that were not so, I would depart right now. A man (like me) who is without desire would hardly visit a king’s house. 26.
After this, he enlightened him on the ways of practicing devotion to God. The king also put into his heart all his words. 27.
Then with great happiness, he offered him worship with valuable new garments and gold ornaments studded with jewels. 28.
He prostrated before him like a stick after worshipping him with sandalwood, flowers, Aksata etc. as per the procedure. 29.
Then he honored his relatives (literally ‘sons’), and the ascetics with great reverence, in a befitting manner, offering them garments, Daksina, perfumes etc. 30.
Enjoining upon the king to stay within the limits of Dharma, the Lord quickly rose; the king also ordered his army to stand ready for his departure. 31.
Then the king followed the departing Lord on foot; after bidding him adieu, he mounted on a mighty elephant while the rejoicing citizens saluted him. 32.
Those who were his adversaries in the city could simply do nothing against him seeing his extreme prowess; they stood there helpless, their hearts burning with envy. 33.
He went out of the city as he had entered it accompanied by royal splendor; he bid adieu to the citizens following him as well as to his devotees and the king’s army. 34.
Then aboard his speedy horse and followed by all his disciples and devotees, the Lord arrived at Vrittalay with them all after having strengthened the path of righteousness. 35.
Thus ends the forty second chapter entitled ‘Description of Narayan Muni’s arrival and stay at Vadodara’ in the fourth Prakaran of Satsangijivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as ‘Dharmashastra’ (the rules of the code of conduct). 42.
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