Chapter 4 - Suvrat Muni begins his narration by singing the glory of Lord Shree Hari

Prelude to the glory of Shri Hari, by way of salutation to Him 

Suvrat said :- 

The ascetic Narayan, giver of delight to the learned, the virtuous one, was born to Dharma and Bhakti, in the north Kausala, to protect religion and to eliminate irreligion. He who was gleaming with sandalwood paste and flower garlands; I bow to that great preceptor Narayan Shri Hari. 1. 

Though he grew amidst prosperity and wealth ever since his child- hood, he was disinterested in house-hold chores and duties. Having observed the great vow of celibacy and obtaining sacred thread from His father, that Yogesvara, an ardent lover of spiritual bliss, renounced hishome and relatives and moved to forest to perform intense penance. 2. 

Whose nature inclined always toward the state of supreme Brahman in whose heart dwelt nobility, devotion with other host of virtues, where upon the bodily pleasures like melodious music and others, at times unaffordable even to the kings, failed to capture his calm mind. 3. 

He was like a brilliant sun, destroying the pitch darkness of Atheism, propounded by some groups of heretics, engaged in meaningless arguments. 4. 

Those irreligious men, relying on heretics, were all released by Him from the captivity of the army of vices like greed, pride, haughtiness, jealousy, envy, anger and others. He took them to the everlasting abode of His own, Akshar Brahma - the Akshardham, at the end of their life. Thus, the great valorous Shri Hari was victorious. 5. 

Once, learning that a large number of ascetics are sitting around His own cottage, to have a vision of His lotus face, He rushed out of His cottage. May my mind be fixed on Him! 6. 

Sometimes having heard that the sages had gathered to see Him, He used to step out of His cottage and used to walk briskly, without caringfor the upper garment. He used to please those gathered around him, and His own relatives, casting a glance with His tender lotus like eyes. Let my mind be fixed on that Shri Hari wearing single garment. 7.

Sometimes He used to remember the Supreme Lord with rosary of beads made of Tulasi wood in His hand, when He used to occupy an exalted seat in an assembly of sages. He used to shine brightly in the assembly of the ascetics, as the moon shines brightly in the constellation of stars. May my mind be fixed on Him, who is the only object of observation to the eyes of the sages! 8. 

Sometimes the sages used to worship him by offering white garments, putting Tilaka-mark and unbroken sacred rice on his forehead, wearing wooden sandals and placing both the lotus like hands on his waist. May my mind be riveted on such an Almighty! 9. 

On the occasion of birth-festivals of the deities (like Krishna, Rama), innumerable devotees from various places, gathered around Him. The Lord almighty, looking handsome and delightful, wearing various garments, fragrant substances and flower-garlands - may He make me joyful. 10. 

Sometimes in serving the guests the ascetic Shri Hari used to fasten the upper garment around His waist and served food to His dear sages to their satisfaction. May that revered sage bestow accomplishments on me. 11. 

When He used to place His feet on the ground, looking charming owing to various auspicious marks of banner, barley, lotus, goad and upward lines; by way of His foot-prints, the earth used to expel the heaven itself! He is indeed the son of Dharma, who used to offer comfort to His friends, may He grant fair-mindedness to me. 12. 

Once, in the assembly of devotees, He fixed two separate zones to His two foster sons for promoting and preserving righteous tradition. He was the descendant of Dharma inspired by a single thought of protecting righteousness. May I recall his name constantly, so that my intellect may be perfected! 13. 

There are many individuals in the world who are dull-witted and committers of sins, let them shake off that wickedness and be engaged themselves in caring works with His righteous support. May that Shri Hari be pleased with me! 14. 

He gave instruction of one’s own tradition to those who were close to Him, based on the Vedas and religious codes (Smriti), considering their social class and capacity. Also He taught them His preaching enriched with songs of glory of the Lord Shri Krishna. May He, who is the Lord Himself, be pleased with me! 15. 

Sometimes He performed rituals like sacrifices leading to heaven (Isht). Sometimes He performed duties of social usefulness (Purta). He propitiated many Brahmins by offering them delicacies of their choice. 16. 

Once staying with the gathering of sages in the night he raised somephilosophical queries and came up with lucid explanations and that Shri Hari who gave detailed replies, may bestow auspiciousness on me. 17. 

Even though one may not have practiced different types of Yogic feats, simply by His slight momentary glance, one may be able to acquire entire Samadhi accomplishments. May that Lord do all benevolence to me! 18. 

Description of the Mount Himalay 

To the northern side of this earth there is a stupendous mountain, called ‘Himalay’. Along the stretch there are caves which are vast and appear like mansions of great height. Its external appearance is like huge heaps of silver. 19. 

Somewhere it appears as black as collyrium. Somewhere it shines brilliantly, owing to the golden peaks of Kailasha mountain. At some places it gives the impression that it has silver peaks. Thus the mountain appears to be multi coloured. 20. 

From its various sides, rivers are originated by the coming together of many brooks and flow down, whose water is pellucid which appears marvellous owing to the felons (Sarasa) and swans and which are echoing with the sound of ever-moving waves. 21. 

That mountain appears fascinating due to the groves of trees like Dhava, Ketaki, Guggulu (bledium) red Patala trees, Jasmine, Kadamba, Coconut, Banyan, Bilva, Kapittha-Wood-apple, pomegranate, beautifulTala Tamala, and Sala (Teak-wood) trees. 22. 

It also appears charming owing to the trees like sarala, (type of Devadaru) Varana (Tiktask), Rasala (a type of mango), Asoka, Bakul, Champak and plantain with many flower-yielding trees around it. 23. 

That mountain observes the world through its eyes of bloomed flowers. It used to invite the people by its waving branches as it were. Through the sweet warbling of the cuckoos and offering seats of Darbha, roots and fruits to the honourable guests, it plays a good host. 24. 

The Ruru deer, buffalos, monkeys, wild-boars, bears, rhinoceros, cocks, peacocks, Chataka and other varieties of birds had taken refuge in that mountain. 25. 

The trumpeting of the elephants, the rustling of the brooks and rivers, the singing of the divine-beings accompanied with lutes, (like the Gandharvas) the deep significance of the chanting of the Vedic hymns and also the chirping of the birds have made the mountain peculiar in its own way. 26. 

In the days of yore, the creator himself had fashioned it as the sover- eign of all the mountains. It is the origin of all the valuable precious stones. Female jackals and other similar animals were also living there. Here, the word Shiva is employed to give two meanings one is jackal and the other is the Lord Shiva. 27. 

It is that mountain where the three-course Ganga (flowing in the heaven, the earth and the netherworld) flow down and became stable on the earth. That Ganga River originated in Brahma-loka and flowed in seven courses. Those seven rivers are Vasvaukasara, Nalini, Pavani, Saraswati, Jambu, Sita, and the seventh Ganga called Sindhu. 28 -29. 

Description of Badrikasarama Hermitage 

The hermitage of Narayan was situated on that mountain. That great Lord was incarnated as a sage on the earth, by the grace of Supreme deity (Purushottama) Himself. That everlasting abode has assumed Badri like form in order to provide services to his own dearest preceptor Lord. Under the appearance of that form, he had concealed his real nature. It seemed he also lived in a hermitage in the vicinity of the hermitage of Narayan. 30. 

There over, one can see the clusters of Juicy Badri (jujube) fruits on the thickest of Badri trees. This scenery created a delusion that the fruits were (like) the water pots (Kamandlus), in the minds of the sages, gath-ered there to have the sacred vision - Darshan of the Lord. 31. 

In that divine forest, the groups of the sages, have taken refuge at the trunks of the trees grown around that hermitage. They used to recall the sacred truths heard from the mouth of the Lord in their hearts, by constant contemplation. 32. 

Hares, mice, birds and deers, these animals seen with compassion and love by the liberated souls, were sitting quietly as though meditating on Shri Hari, as the children of the sages well instructed ! 33. 

The mind-afflicting enemies of the people like cupid and others (an- ger, greed, infatuation, delusion, jealousy) are afraid of Shri Hari as elephants fear lions. They do not dare to think of entering the hearts of liberated souls who reside in the abode of Shri Hari. 34. 

When the sages practicing yoga come to this Ashrama, anguish (sorrow) removes itself from their minds. They feel satisfied with the nectar of the sacred words of Shri Hari. They get highest bliss and they continue to move about in the same delight. 35. 

The wild animals in the hermitage were free from their natural violent tendencies. They behave like Brahmin sages, practicing penance in the forest, bereft of all types of animosity. 36. 

In that hermitage, curiously enough, serpents move in the company of mongooses, the elephants in that of lions, mice in that of cats, foxes in the company of wolves and the deers in the company of hyenas (forgetting their natural enmity). Even crows keep company of the owls. 37.

In that hermitage, there flows the river Ganga from the feet of Vishnu, (Vishnupadi) whose water is clear; who wipes off heaps of sins, just by her sight: whose splendour is as white as that of the moon, in which flow mighty waves. 38.In that hermitage patched garments, bark-garments and also some clothes of Brahmins, washed in the water of the Ganga, are put on the branches of trees for drying. Even the wind hesitatingly caresses them for fear that it may sully the clothes. 39. 

There lived the omniscient sages, with subdued-senses, lustrous like sun and fire, and constantly contemplating on the Supreme Brahman and observing penance, putting on the deer-skin. 40. 

The entry to this hermitage was inaccessible to those who were lessmeritorious, as it was the abode of realised souls and the place itself being granter of one’s wishes and also removing fatigue of those who had the sight of it. There placed pots and vessels of water and dishes in the loops of rope hung from the top. 41. 

The darkness of night never bothers them as it is dispelled removed due to the splendour of the Lord Himself and also by the gleaming rays from the scattered heaps of celestial flowers offered to the Lord by the devotees. 42. 

There were heaps of sacred ashes accumulated by the sages who had mastered the Vedas with its six ancillary texts, with tangled hair on their head, performing sacrifices, with their bodies thin due to the rigorous austerities and self-control. 43. 

Life-style of Munis in Badrikashram 

In that hermitage, some sages practicing penance lived only on air. Some used to drink only water and some, vapour (varad) only. Some used to live on foam, some on the rays of the moon and some on only smoke. 44. 

Some used to put on clothes made of rags, some used leather clothes; some, used clothes made of leaves and some used to put on bark garments. While some others wore clothes made of grass threads; some sages used to eat things, pounded by stones, or things reduced to pieces by their own teeth. 45. 

Some used to eat Peepal fruits and used to talk softly sing the sacred hymns, standing in water; some used to discard things contributing to the sensuous pleasures and used to observe “Abhravakasha” vow, taking the cloud as the only shelter (i.e. standing exposed to sun, rain, wind etc., in the open, all the time). 46. 

With a view to instil deep devotion for Narayan the elder brother of Nar, they had given up all the physical enjoyments. All of them practicing rigorous vows, hence their bodies had become thin. All the time they used to remember the indwelling Lord Shri Hari. 47. 

Every day the sages in the hermitage used to go to the abode of theirorigin in Shvetadvipa, which is the abode of Shri Hari and also of the revered Vasudeva, which is very luminous, full of truth and nectar, to have Darshana of Narayan along with Nar. Those sages used to speed faster than the arrows released from bow while going; they used to sing sincerely the glory of Narayan along with that of Nar. They used to pass through like, a flock of krauncha birds. 48. 

Every day the sages used to come from the Shvetadvipa to the hermitage in order to have sacred Darshana of Narayan. The white lustrous sages used to come flying crying out loudly ‘Shri Vasudeva’ looking like a flock of flamingos. On the way they used to bow down before the other groups of sages devoted to Narayan. 49. 

Description of Badrivishala (Ashram of Lord Nar-Narayan 

In the morning the animals dwelling in the forest, birds, serpents, and humans, used to come hurriedly and stand on both sides of the way, in rows, to see Lord Shri Hari, going towards Ganga to take bath. They disregarded all other things, thinking eagerly and looking upwards that ‘our Shri Hari will come now’. 50. 

There were plain soft green pastures in that hermitage whereupon a beautiful Badri tree had taken its roots, with its tender glossy leaves and cluster of fruits, and the place being free of gnats and mosquitoes. 51. 

Around that Badri tree there were other big celestial trees which were weighed down with fruits and flowers. In the vicinity of that tree;there never existed hunger, heat, cold, thirst and the like. The tree was worshipped by sacrificial rituals and sacred offerings. 52. 

Though entangled in thorns that beautiful Badri tree, but with its extensive branches and of spotless shade and trickling with sweet juice, was appearing divine. Though seen casually it used to destroy the sins of the seer. 53. 

The birds, chirping melodiously, had taken shelter in it, and the deities always took shelter under it. The tree was worthy of taking shelter owing to its thick shade. The sages had given the appropriate title ‘visala’ to it. 54. 

Uddhava, the foremost amongst Bhagavatas who had mastered the theoretical as well as practical knowledge, stayed there, under the in- struction of Shri Krishna. 55. 

In that hermitage, there was a big pool called Vaihayasa. Many royal sages used to stay in that area. The deity Hayagriva, used to chant the eternal Vedic hymns there. 56. 

Indra, who, having killed Vedic and talented Vrtra, a Brahmin, came here to practice austerities for ten thousand years to get rid of the sin of killing Vrtra. 57. 

There the son of the sun, Savarni, who had learnt Vedic wisdom from Narada, stays here, worshipping Shri Hari, and studying the true religion, along with practicing penance. 58. In the same hermitage Lord Nar-Narayan Himself constantly practicesrigorous penance, for the well-being of His devotees on the earth. 59. 

As the Almighty, the lord of the universe, assuming the form of ultimate bliss resides in this hermitage, where Kali can never enter. 60. 

Narada, whose mind is always filled with supreme bliss, as he practices meditation constantly, is engaged in the service of the Lord eternally here in Badri. 61. 

The happiness obtained even in the abode of the Supreme Brahman is not parallel to an iota of bliss, experienced by connoisseurs in this her-mitage. 62.

In that hermitage, many groups of sages, who longed for liberation and those who had already attained liberation, the sharp and the devout used to live. A mere Darshan of the hermitage wipes off sins of the people. It is the real ornament of the entire earth. 63. 

Thus ends the fourth chapter entitled ‘Description of Badrikashrama’ in the first Prakarana of Satsangi Jivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as ‘Dharmashastra’ (the rules of the code of conduct). 4