Chapter 49 - Pilgrimage of Nilkanth Varni in South India

Pilgrimage of Nilkanth Varni in South India. 

Suvrat said:- 

From Jagannatha Puri the great celibate Shri Hari alone went to the south though always being followed by Dharma and other celestials in divine forms. 1. 

Going up to Setubandha Rameshwar, he reached a place named AadiKurma, then moving in that great forest he got to a place called Manasapattana . 2. 

There the king Satradharma, being noble and religious recognised Shri Hari to be a great person, honoured and made him stay there. 3. 

He stayed in a secluded place, on a raised ground, which was open to air. He was very well served by the royal attendants, respectfully, every day. 4.

The native demons, knowing the destruction of their akin members, through those who ran away from Jagannathapuri, and being Shri Hari the cause and his present stay here, prepared themselves to kill him. 5. 

Knowing him to be alone and staying there in the open in the night, the demons gathered together, threw hundreds of stones at him. 6. 

From dusk to dawn, those sinful wicked demons engaged in throwing huge stones at Shri Hari, who remained perfect and virtuous. 7. 

It was a great wonder that heaps of stones in hundreds that were thrown at him, fell around his high ground, none of those stones even touched him. 8.

Though having seen the might of the Lord, they never hesitated from their wickedness, since death was nearing them. 9. 

Their efforts went in vain thus, they became desirous of killing him with weapons; hence they began to collect their weapons, gathering in groups, all of them. 10. 

The king, having heard, was wondered at that, came near him in the morning, and also native people, and others, having seen that, became startled. 11. 

The astonished king exclaimed ‘O, as in the past, the Lord Narasimha protected the devotee Prahlada, just like that he must have protected this Brahmin also. Or is it possible that this one is the great devotee Prahlada himself?’ Then the king said to him ‘From today I am yours only’. 12- 13

O King! Then Shri Hari, knowing that the king is desirous of salvation, sheltered him, along with his salvation seeking subjects, at the feet of Krishna, as the devotee. 14. 

Then the king came to know that all those extremely sinful demons are the enemies of Shri Hari. Hence he killed them with the help of his powerful army. 15.

Arrival of Nilkanth in Venkatadri. Shivkanchi, Vishnu Kanchi, Shrirang, Setubandh Rameshwar, Sundarraj Tirth and Bhutpuri.

Then Shri Hari, knowing their destruction due to their own sinful deeds, went to Venkatadri, being served and honoured by the king. 16. 

Having Darsana of Lord Vishnu residing there, he then proceeded to Vishnu-Kanchi and Shiva-Kanchi, finally reaching ShriRangam. 17. 

Having taken bath in river Kaveri, he stayed there in a garden, full of trees rich with fruits and flowers. 18. 

Dwelling there for two months, and conversing with Vaishnavas, he, with his influence, eliminated their cruel practices. 19. 

Krishna, having defeated hundreds of Brahmins, who were engaged in evil, established his influence there, firmly. 20. 

Having got rid of illusion by his influence, they learnt for sure that he was Vishnu himself, devoted themselves unto him. 21. 

Having reached Setubandha, a place reputed for destroying sins, he, took bath in the sea, had Darshana of Lord Rameshwara. 22. 

He stayed there for two months as it was the beloved place of ascetics - and then proceeded further alone by himself to the sacred place of Vishnu, having nickname Sundararaja. 23.

Going from there, he got to a dense forest in Bhutapuri, wandering there amidst that wilderness, he went without food and water for five days. 24.

On the fifth day, in the evening he found a lake, in which, he took his bath, and worshipped Saligrama. 25. 

Having dried up some (four) –wild-beans in fire, offering the same to Vishnu, the ascetic-preceptor, then took it. 26. 

He took rest there only for the first Prahara - about three hours of the night and then went ahead. Next day, by afternoon, he got to a well, in another forest. 27. 

O King! He took out the water from the well, with his ascetic utensil (pot) [kamandalu], then had a bath there, and sitting under a Banyan tree, observed his daily rituals. 28. 

In the meanwhile, goddess Uma and the great god Sankara, who are well-known for their noble auspicious deeds to the people, came there wandering eventually. 29. 

They are the parents of the world, pleasing the devotees with their quick-bestowal of boons and fond of austerities and always engaged in that and very endear to the ascetics. 30.

Due to their omniscience, they came to know that Shri Hari is none other than Krishna himself, and with his own desire, he has come down on earth to play the role of a human being. 31. 

As they both were eager to see that human - incarnate Shri Hari, and to keep men away from recognising them, they took to the form of poor pilgrims. 32. 

That beautiful couple uttering the names of Shiva, looking weak, came there on a bull. 33. 

Wearing saffron coloured garments, they having seen that great ascetic, got down from the bull suddenly. 34. 

By then, he, having observed, the two Sandhya rituals of the day accordingly for one who is on journey, commenced his worship of Saligrama, with cleaning and other procedures. 35. 

Chanting Vedic hymns, he placed the Saligrama in sandal - vessel. Then he performed auspicious bath by pouring water on it, with a big pot. 36. 

The sandal-container, where the Saligrama was placed in, remained as before, though water was poured down from a kamandalu of five prasthas, (Prastha-A measure) that became empty. 37.

‘Where had all these waters gone?’ thus exclaiming, he took up the container, finding it compact without any hole, again put it on the ground. 38.

‘Water has been drunk by thirsty Saligrama’ thus thinking, Shri Hari, himself became desirous of appeasing its thirst. 39. 

As all the water was consumed by the ‘Saligrama that was fetched and poured from the pot, he again went to the well. 40. 

Even that water being consumed by the Saligrama, he smilingly went to fetch water and streamed it in the same way. 41.

Since that water also was drunk, and then he thought Saligrama to be very thirsty, again went to the well to fetch water from it in a pot. 42. 

Seeing the devotion of Shri Hari, though he was fully exhausted due to the exertion and complete fast, the divine couple became astonished. 43.

God Saligrama, knowing the exhausted Brahmin, became satisfied with the thirst, being truly a loving Lord of his servers. 44. 

As Shri Hari fetched the water, he found water in the bathing container, thought that Saligrama’s thirst pacified, and began its worship with sandal paste and other articles. 45.

Thus thinking in mind about the pacified thirst of Saligrama, now Shri Hari began to wonder how its hunger be pacified. 46. 

Offering of Sathvo by Parvatiji. 

He became much worried only about the offering for Vishnu thoughtless about himself, though he was without food for six days now. 47. 

O King! Knowing the difficulty that He was in, and being pleased at Him, that man from the couple told his partner thus: 48. 

O dear, give this young man some barley flour from the sack and also salt, immediately for offering Vishnu (Ramapati, another name of Vishnu). 49. 

O King! Undoing the knot of the bag, she gave some barley-flour to the Brahmin, and he also took it enough, only to offer Vishnu. 50. 

Mixing the barley flour with water and salt, he offered it to Lord Vishnu and concluded the ritual of worship, accordingly. 51. 

Though they seemed to be poor beggars, they were lustrous like super-humans. As they had signs of divine and human, He having saluted them modestly, asked. 52.

‘Suddenly coming here, you both appearing calm and compassionate, in the guise of ascetics, and beautiful like Uma and Mahesvara. 53.

To see people like you here in the forest is nearly, impossible, that too, ordinary mortals never stay here, hence tell me the true whereabouts of yourselves’. 54. 

Then they said to Him thus ‘You have become exhausted with hunger and thirst hence weak O Brahmin! Please drink water and eat the offering of Vishnu”. 55. 

‘Then let us speak, honouring their words thus, he ate barley flour and drank water and sat near them. 56. 

Lord Shivji in disguise reveals is his true form to Nilkanth. 

Then that ascetic said to Him ‘O Brahmin! You are observing the vow of celibacy, having conquered anger and being an ascetic and a great devotee of Shri Krishna. 57.

As you are moving being silent, I do not tell lie before you, as an untrue word uttered before an ascetic takes away all the merits accumulated entirely. 58.

Know me for ‘Shankara with Parvati O celibate king! We came here on our own will, and are invisible even to the men, who are engaged in penance. 59. 

Having told thus, he revealed his original form immediately. Nilakantha seeing that divine form was awestruck. 60. 

The divine form seemed white as camphor and lustrous like the shining sun, and with smearing of auspicious aromatic ashes over the limbs gleaming, made the sight delightful. One king-snake knotted Him across like a sacred thread and others becoming a bracelet, a garland and a waist band. 61. 

He was looking beautiful with tiger and elephant skin and delightful with his face like a bloomed lotus, gently smiling, His large forehead looking attractive with cool rays of the moon, his long matted hair of the glow of golden brown wavering on the head. 62. 

He was sitting in Virasana, (a particular sitting posture practiced by ascetics) on a seat of Kusha grass, on the ground, with his looks of three eyes fixed, and his body stand-still, his left hand showing ‘Abhaya’ pose to true devotees, while he held a rosary of beads on the right. 63.

He free in the self, was admiringly devoted by the most virtuous in three worlds, Uma, sitting on his left side, whose lotus feet are worshipped by the groups of devotees and being praised by divine bull Nandi with his other orb of devotees. 64.

Kartikeya, Narada, Sanandana, and other prominent humble learned Brahmins who are hungry and desirous minded to know BrahmaVidya, standing before Him with folded hands, have become blissful, as His compassionate looks fell on them. 65. 

Having seen Him who is Shiva himself, that Brahmin saluted with folded hands and eyes full of tears. Having his body-hair erect in the thrill of joy, he began to praise the Lord of the universe, humbly, with love. 66.

Shivstuti 

‘You are Sadashiva, the eternal, having the supremacy, calm, chief of the orb of quarters of heaven, and whose lotus-feet are adored by Brahma and others, you are Sri Shankara, I salute thee. 67. 

You are the Lord of all, an abode for entire host of virtues, you are the god and the great god, and highly renowned, you are the treasure stock of knowledge, penance, Yoga and divine arts. You are Sri Shankara,I salute thee. 68. 

You snap the fear of time and illusion (Maya) and the god of death, and you are the cause of creation, sustenance and destruction of the universe, the preceptor of Prachetas (sons of Pracheta), and one who fulfils desires. 69. 

You are the protector of this world from great venom, one who conquered death, and quickly pleasing to ordinary mortal, one who has burnt the cupid (Kamadeva) into ashes. 70.

You are the origin of the Vedas and Agamas with their hymns. You have abandoned all worldly enjoyments due to the force of asceticism. And hence you are adored by all who desire salvation, and who have already achieved salvation. O Sankara, I salute you. 71. 

You beautify Ganga, killed the demon Andhak, you are the Lord of Kailasa, you bestow happiness to your devotees, with mere utterance of whose name takes away the stream of sins. 72. 

You are the Lord of the universe, who resides in Kashi, in the ears of dying men the Tarak mantra (the chant of Rama) and elevate even the great sinners from the cycle of birth and death, to liberation. 73.

You take away miseries of gods and others, hence have another name Hara, the beloved consort of Parvati, and the rival of Tripura demon, bearing bull-mark flag, and auspiciousness-personified. O Shankara I salute you’. 74. 

Suvrat said:-

The religious one, having praised and saluted Shiva with devotion, began to praise the mother of the world, Durga, who destroys the misfortune of the world. 75.

Jagdamba stuti. 

Nilakantha continued - O, Mother, the auspicious one, bestowing host of favours, the supreme goddess (one who is) bearing the entire world, the great virtuous consort of Shiva and his power, the primitive being, I salute you, O Goddess Uma. 76.

You are the destructor of the army of demons who harass all the gods and their king Indra. Thus you give the gods happiness forever. O Uma, I salute thee. 77. 

You suppressed the arrogance of demons like Nishumbha and Shumbha and climate series of woes of true refugees, with your yogic power. Vishnu is induced in what is to be done. 78.

Favouring the gods, you produce massive amount of powers to destroy demons, and hold various weaponry in as many hands, in the great battle with them; O goddess Uma, I salute thee. 79. 

You, being angry, showing your terrifying form to those who offer wine, flesh and other things, behead them; bestow boons to milk maids to fulfil their desires, O Uma. 80. 

Though you are without beginning in the beginning of ages, taking the incarnations of Daksayani, being the daughter of Daksa, then becoming daughter to the mountain-king (Himalaya) you have protected the vow of Virtuous wife. 81. 

In the past, to please Girisha, you observed hard penance that is difficult for mortals and immortals, in which you never ate a leaf even, thus getting another name of Aparna, O Uma. 82.

O! Amba, Mother of Ganesha, always engaged in the service of Maheswara, eliminating evils of the true devotees, and salute thee, Uma. 83.

Suvrat said:-

Having praised thus the celibate became quiet. Now both Uma and Shiva addressed Him thus ‘O, Brahmin, ask for your desired boon. 84. 

Sri Nilakantha said:- 

If you are really pleased with me, the parents of the world as you are, grant me firm detachment in worldly things’. 85.

Uma and Mahesvara said:- 

‘O Brahmin, the boon that you sought is always been there in you. Henceforth it will become magnificent, O great sage. 86. 

You are the sage Narayan Himself, the Lord of Badri and you are here taking a human form, as we know. 87. 

Salutations to the O Nar-Narayan incarnate, master of the world. O Krishna, the one with Arjuna who had the religion established (on this earth). 88.

You are the supreme-reality itself, who is beyond perishable and imperishable, and the Lord. You are the original cause of creation, maintenance and destruction of innumerable worlds. 89.

You are the king of Goloka, wandered in divinely Vrindavan, continuously dancing and sporting Raas-leela with (cow-herd damsels), and a beloved one to Radhika. 90. 

O treasure of compassion, you have manifested here to protect religion from the hands of harassing demons and their heretics, preachers in this Kali age. 91.

In the consequence of Durvas’ curse, you, being Narayan yourself, took birth here as Shri Hari, to Dharma and Bhakti, taking away all the miseries of your devotees. 92. 

Your exploits are noble enough to be heard or sung, by men, which is the way to liberation, in this Kali age. 93. 

Having your Darsana, we have become blissful. As we were devoted to you, always we were eager to see you. 94. 

Suvrat said:- 

Having praised Him with obeisance, Shiva and Parvati, having seen His, master-ascetic’s gentle smile in the lotus like face, became blissful, eventually disappeared, immediately. 95. 

Thus ends the forty-ninth chapter entitled ‘Appearance of Uma and Maheshvara in the great forest’ in the first Prakarana of Satsangi Jivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as ‘Dharmashastra’ (the rules of the code of conduct). 49