King Vajradin requests Shree Hari to prolong His stay at his residence where Shree Hari celebrates Janmashtami.
King Vajradin requests Shree Hari to prolong His stay at his residence where Shree Hari celebrates Janmashtami.
Suvrat said:-
Thus, revealing His divine powers to thousands of people and bringing them under His shelter, the Swami wished to go to other towns. But as the humble king and the people prayed to Him many times, He stayed there for the four holy months (Chaturmasya) to fulfill their desire. 1 - 2.
O king, the stories of His wondrous powers, which spread far and wide, surprised the people, as even the elderly people had not heard of in the past. 3.
When the divine sages, who had taken birth as humans in remote corners of this earth on being cursed by Durvasa, heard about the sanctifying noble deeds of the Lord, they became desirous of having His Darshan. 4.
As those sages born unto three castes came to the town ingroups, Lord Shri Hari welcomed them and made them stay with Him. 5.
Having listened about, and having perceived His mystic powers, they firmly believed that he is the Lord Krishna Himself. But some of them were yet doubtful as to whether He was the Lord Krishna or some other deity. 6.
The Lord, desirous of celebrating the grand function of Janmashtami, sent messengers all over and invited all His devotees and followers. 7.
The Son of Dharma suitably honored the groups of the ascetics and commoners that arrived there. 8.
On the 8th day He got up early in the morning, observed all His daily rituals and commenced the festival by performing the worship of Uddhavaswami - the preceptor of Ramanand. 9.
He instructed to erect a beautiful pandal decorated with gorgeous drapes, garlands of flowers and of plantain columns. 10.
There at midnight, He worshipped Lord Krishna, according to religious rituals and offered many rich offerings. The ascetics, to the accompaniment of musical instruments like drums, cymbals and flutes etc., sang songs recounting the virtues of Sri Krishna. 11 - 12.
He then put the idol of Krishna in a cradle, swung it and enjoyed the occasion with the devotional songs, stories etc. in the company of His devotees overnight. 13.
At the third hour of the night, in the congregation of the devotees, He occupied the dais to the delight of all His devotees. 14.
The ascetics, commoners, women, and all other people sat, gazing at His lotus like face with full devotion. 15.
Then the Lord Swaminarayan wished that He should favour them all by revealing to them His real knowledge. And then they saw Him in full. 16.
Shree Hari grants divine darshan.
Each of His limbs were emitting divine luster equal to multitude of suns, he had donned the complexion of a rain cloud, he had on a yellow garment and in his crown was a crest of peacock feather. 17.
He was adorned with garlands of Tulasi (Vaijayanti) and necklace of gems with Kaustubha, the girdle studded with diamonds, his ear lobes were in the shape of crocodile. 18.
The youthful Lord was adorned with gracious looking anklets on His feet and beautiful armlets and bracelets on His long arms. He was besmeared wit sandal paste and adorned with garlands of flowers. 19.
He was playing on His divine flute, His tender lips caressing it ever gently. They were very much delighted to see Him in the form of Lord Krishna, a handsome actor. 20.
Some of them who were staring at Him even without blinking their eyes, experienced Samadhi and some remained in the same state for almost two hours. 21.
Afterwards they saw Him as before in celibate attire with His hair matted, of dark complexion wearing spotless white garment and deer skin on it. 22.
He was tranquil and held a rosary of beads in hand. Seeing Nara- yan Muni thus they saluted Him by prostrating on the ground. 23.
Thousands of devotees seek refuge of Shree Hari.
They were overwhelmed with joy and said rapturously, “He is the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna Himself in the form of Narayan Muni.” 24.
All the followers of Uddhava (Ramananda Swami), the sages, all other citizens and others who were present in the meeting aspired for protection under Him. 25.
With folded hands they said to Him, “O Swami, we surrender to thee!” By then it was dawn. Swami took bath and worshipped Sri Krishna. 26.
O King! Then he offered rich food to the thousands of ascetics and Brahmins, and thereafter He and His disciples concluded their fast. 27.
All the sages who had come from various places, firm in their faith, strict adherents to their religious duties and endowed with spiritual knowledge, worshipped Him with devotion. 28.
Among them were sages, avowed (lifelong) celibates and some avowed renunciates following the path of devotion. 29.
O King! In the afternoon the Lord Swami convened a meeting of men and women who sat in front of him according to their ranks. 30.
Shri Hari sat on a spacious comfortable seat. He was looking like a waxing full moon in the midst of twinkling stars. 31.
O King! Then all the devotees worshipped Him with deep devotion and, bowing before Him, offered sandal paste, beautiful floral garlands, attractive garments of various types and wealth. 32.
Eager to listen to Him about their own religious duties, they then sat obediently before Him. Their eyes were fixed upon His lustrous lotus like face. 33.
Thus ends the sixth chapter entitled ‘Shri Hari visualized as Lord Sri Krishna’ in the second Prakarana of Satsangijivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as ‘Dharmashastra’ (the rules of the code of conduct). 6
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -