CHAPTER – 12

Suvrat said:-

O King ! Then, Shri Hari saw His devotees who were waiting for Him since long and who were very eager to worship Him (holding in hand) plates full of the material for worship. 1

O King, as He (Shri Hari) thought of fulfilling their desire, Brahmin Mayaram spoke (very humbly) with folded hands. 2

O You, the Supreme Lord, Your devotees, men and women, who are standing here before You, have come here (all the way) from distant places. 3

O Hari, they have a strong desire in the hearts of their hearts to worship You since long. Therefore You please favourably consider their request. 4

Thus told by that Brahmin, Hari just smiled and said, O you Learned Brahmin, What is special occasion today? Please tell me, what you expect me to do. 5

Thus told (by Shri Hari), he, (Mayaram) took out a long calendar from his turban and having looked in it, said ‘O Lord, today is the day of the celebration of lights (Diwali). 6

These villagers (generally) seek enjoyment from their daily village life. It is after all a worldly (thing). But today, they will be specially delighted by worshipping Your Honour. Though they are householders, they do not have any desire for worldly pleasures. So today, they have left everything far behind and have come here. 7-8

O Lord, You alone deserve to fulfil the desire of those who are devoted to You alone. You are like a wish-giving tree to your devotees. 9

Thus requested, Shri Hari said, they may worship (Me) but there should not be any outrage or chaos. They should (be instructed to) come separately village-wise groups, and after worshipping (Shri Hari), they should immediately leave the place. (Hearing this) They were very much delighted. 10-11

Then, all men and women formed separate groups and approached Shri Hari in order to worship Him. 12

First of all, the residents of the middle region came to worship Shri Hari from Mathura, Shursena, Vatsaghoshas, the Yamunas, Salwa, Neepa, Uttar Panchal, Mandavya, the Kurus, the Panchala from the north and south, Bhadra, Kapishthalas, Gaurgriva, Arimeda and the residents of Hastinapura, residents of Pariyatra Mountains and Dharmaranya. 13-15

People from Kalkoti, Ashwattha, Pandawa, Kanka and Kanchana, Saraswata, Matsya, Saketa, and Kukura. Besides, many people from Gurjara and Audumbara also arrived there. All those devotees were very carefully and attentively performed the worship (of Shri Hari). 16-17

They worshipped Shri Hari with fragrant sandal paste, garlands of beautiful flowers, costly golden embroidered clothes, turbans (headgears), precious gems studded ornaments, silver and gold coins and then offered Him silver vessels filled with Sweets and different delicacies like sugar candies and then, betel nut with Tambul (betel leaves) etc. 18-20

Some women devotees, each among them, offered Him (Shri Hari), necklaces of twenty seven (Nakshatra- symbolizing constellations twenty seven in number) pearls and then bowed down to Him and went back. 21

Afterwards the great devotees of the Lord from eastern region arrived there. Those were the residents of Maghada, Karbat, Sumha, Ambashtha, Citizens of Chandrapattan; Kashi, Kosala, Paundra, Mekal, Utkal, Gauda, Mithila, Malyavat (Mountain); Kiratas, Lauhityas, residents of Vardhamanpur, arrived there.Foremost amongst them were the chief of Pundras. All those and others also worshipped the Shri Hari with great respect. 22-24

The devotees worshipped Him with sandal paste, auspicious rice, flowers and offered soft china silk, precious Golden ornaments, and crests of pearls and then put before him silver vessels full of golden coins. Afterwards, some women offering Him various tasty and sweet fruits, and went back. 25-27

After their departure, devotees (from various regions) like the residents from Agnividisha (the race originated from woods of fire sticks); those coming from Jatharanga, Vanga, Upavanga, Shulika, Charmdvipa, Vidharbha, Vatsa, Andhra, Chedi the Vindhya tribes, Dasharna, Tripura and many others like Kishkindhas, Shabaras arrived there to worship Shri Hari. All those devotees adored Him offering costly gifts like yellow garments, very costly golden bracelets and girdle, crests made of pearls, various earrings, etc. and placed before Him, invaluable wealth. 28-31

They (also) offered many ripe and nutritious fruits, many Silver and Golden vessels to Shri Hari, as well as a variety of utensils like water jar and big pots, golden cups and specially shaped utensils, and bowls. 32-33

Thus, having worshipped Him, they went back. Then, the residents of the southern region like Sourikirna, Talikatas, residents of Malayachala, Nasik, resident of Kolla mountain, Bharukaccha, Kokan, Karkotaka, Shibika, and those living on the banks of River Vena, Dardura, the mountain Rishyamuka and Mahindra, residents on the banks of river Kaveri, Chitrakuta and Jatadhara; residents of Karnataka, Gonarda, Chaula, Kerala, Rushika, Ganarajya, Kanchi, Arshabha; devotees living on the banks of the river Tamraparni; and Dandkaranya forest, city of Baldevapattana, Tailangas, Dravidas; the (devotees) of Venkat mountain and Dharmpattana and all those and many others from Sinhala Desha etc. arrived there. 34-39

Those wise (devotees) worshipped Shri Hari as per the rituals prescribed in the scriptures, with fragrant sandal paste named Yakshakardama; auspicious rice (Akshata), variety of flowers, various precious and auspicious clothes, in different colors as white, yellow, red and multicolored golden dotted garments; and upper garments. Nichol, Patak a waist-band, silken clothe, and bleached silks; costly headgears. (In addition) Anklets, Hanskas, Urmikas (ring), armlets, earrings, girdles, variety of necklaces like Gutsa, Gutsardha, Gostana, Ekavali, Hundred layers of shining Devcchada, Lalantika (neckless long upto the navel), Kanchigirdle, Manvaka-neckless and the ornaments of forehead were also offered in worship of the Lord. 40-45

They gifted Him many big vessels full of sweets, grapes, walnut, nutmeg, cardamom, laong and many such other items, thereby pleasing Shri Hari very much then they went away. 46-47

Then arrived men and women residing in the South-west (Nairutya) region, with smiling face and deep love for Shri Hari. 48 

They were the people from Sindhu region, Pahlava, Kamboja, Souvir, Vadavamukha, Narimukha, Aarva, Kapila,Yavana; Kravayada, Ambastha, Khanda, Saindhava, Kalaka, Badara, Fenagiri, Karna, praveshtha, Barbara; Parshava, Shudra, Raivataka, Saurashtra, Abhira, Chanchuka, Kirata and Dravidas; and especially people from Saurashtra, worshipped Shri Hari with great love. 49-52

They worshipped and presented the Lord, a variety of colorful clothes; like white, Saffron, Golden and Magenta in colour; woven in gold and also spotted with gold; valuable soft and thick woolen blankets, red and black in colour and fine, thick warm woolen clothes; ornaments made with pure gold, crown and other ornaments made of costly Gems like Padmaraga, Sapphire, etc. They applied sandal paste and offered garlands of flowers. They put many big vessels full of gifts, before Him. 52-55

They presented many big vessels filled with Sugar, Sweets, Date fruits, and ample Silver coins to Shri Hari. 56

Groups of ladies who had come with them, also followed and put before Him many bowls filled with betel nuts and coconuts and left for their place. 57

This Gifts presented to Shri Hari appeared just like a huge rock and the heap of clothes resembled a mountain. 58

Then, the Sage Ananadnand who was attending on Shri Hari, put on the new clothes and ornaments and removed the old ones. The flowers, garlands which were offered to Him, Shri Hari gave them away to all His worshippers. 59-60

That Lord gave clothes to some persons, ornaments to some and fruits to some others. He gave away half of the Gifts to some persons and to some others, whole of some offerings, pleasing all his devotees. (Thus he distributed all his presents to his devotees). 61-62

In the meantime, there also arrived many devotees from the western region. The residents of Manimat Mountains, Meghavat mountain; Parata, Shaka, Panchnada, Aparantaka, Haihaya, Choshkana and Ramatha. 63-64

They worshipped Shri Hari with sandal paste and other material, with clothes, silver and golden ornaments and then offered other gifts. They offered bowls full with almonds, coconuts, date fruits, betel nuts and silver coins. (They) also offered beds, (mattresses, etc.) which were soft, fresh (white) like the foam of milk; pillows, cushions, cotton blankets of various types and lamps to Shri Hari. 65.66

As soon as they left, the residents of the Vayavya (North west) side; from Mandavya, Maru, Kaccha, Phalguluk, Ashamaka; and other devotees of the Lord from Madra, Khasa, Stirajya arrived there to worship the Shri Hari with flowers, sandal paste and clothes. 68-69

They offered Him many costly ornaments of gold studded with gems like Padmaraga, Indranila, diamonds and also offered Him many other gifts. 70

Some persons offered Him many bowls, filled with Golden and Silver coins. They were studded with various gems. 71

They presented variety of sandals inlaid with gems and other footwears of different fashions and went back. As soon as they left, the residents of Northen region arrived there. 72

They were from Youdheya, Pourava, Madra, Malava, Arjunayana, Kaikaya, Kshudramina, Traigarta, Kosala; Sharadhana, Vatdhana, Bhogprastha, Vasati, Antardvipa, Ashvamukha, Kacchara, Dandapingala; Kailavarta, Kahtadhana, Pushkaravarta, Shatak, Gandhar, Khachar, Huna, Gavya, Bhutapur; Daserak, Keshdhar, Chipitnasika, Ksemdhurta, Hemtala, Himachalnivasina; living in Yashovati Mandavya, Kuru and others like Shyamak worshipped Shri Hari. 73-77

Those people worshipped the Lord with fragrant sandal paste, auspicious rice, auspicious fresh lotus garlands and presented several gifts. 78

The devotees presented costly white garments which were fine, thick; golden caskets filled with musk, and chouris; variety of gems like Garutmata, Padmaraga, Vidruma (coral), Mahanila, Neela, Gomeda, Sphatika (Crystal) and many other Gems and diamonds, as bright as the Sun. 79-81

As soon as they left the followers of Shri Hari in the Aishnya (North-East) arrived. Among them were; Pashupal, Kashmir, Dardas, Tangana, Abhisaras, Kaulutas, residents of Bramhapur; China, Damara, Ghoshas, Kolindas, Kouvikas, Gandharvas, Vasudhanas, Vanrashtras etc.; they worshipped the great sage Shri Hari with great love and devotion. They were followed by the women–folk who were devoted and faith-full to their Husbands. 82-84

Those devotees along with their women-folk offered sandal paste, auspicious rice, flowers, garlands of Tulsi and other things; yellow, red, blue, soft and printed clothes; then offering ornaments of pearls and worshipped Shri Hari and then presented other gifts. There were golden plates filled with various gems, many silver caskets filled with celestial saffron and Kumkum; variety of many soft sitting mats, multi-colored soft touching beautiful blankets (to sit), various fruits, many delicious sweets, sugar candies and many other things. They offered all these things to Shri Hari and left along with the women devotees. 85-89 

Thus all the devotees including old, young and children, all of them worshipped the Shri Hari, with utter devotion according to their ability and financial capacity. 90

The Lord of the world, the knower/appreciator of the feelings of the devotees was (very much) satisfied even by the small/minor things like leaves, flowers etc. offered by His sincere devotees. 91

Then, that Great Lord immediately gave away all the heaps of clothes and ornaments to the Brahmins, mendicants and the poor with respect. This (gesture) aroused a feeling of surprise in the minds of the devotees. 92-93

He gifted (all that was offered to Him), to the ascetics, celibates (students), His attendants, even his own clothes to the kings and also to the wealthy people. All were astonished at His wonderful gesture of gifting everything. 94-95

That Lord immediately gave away many things in millions and billions, which could have been even aspired for, even by many kings. Thus, the kings were also amazed at this. 96

Thus, even after behaving like a super-human being, Lord who was void of any ego, without showing any excitement appeared as before, dressed in pure white garments. 97

The Sun, who, witnessing the eye-catching grand worship offered by the people of various regions, to Lord Shri Hari, much eager to share the joy of the worship, stood motionless amidst the sky? 98

Thus ends the twelfth chapter entitled, ‘Narration of, description of the worship of Shri Hari by the people coming from other regions,’ in the third prakaran of Satsangi Jivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as Dharmashastra, (the rules of the code of conduct). 12