CHAPTER – 13

Suvrat said:-

O King, then Shri Hari, who was desirous of going to the river Ganga to perform His mid-day rituals, said to the sages, who were eager to worship Him; O sages, as I have to go to Unmatta Ganga to take bath, you may worship me tomorrow, according to your wish. Today is new moon day and it being a great grand festival, I am going to Ganga to have my festive bath. 1-3

Saying thus, Shri Hari, immediately got up from His seat. As ordered by Him, His disciple, Nanna, instantly brought His fast paced horse, Rohit. He asked all the people and the ascetics, to walk before Him and (just) ascending the horse, He slowly went with them. 4 -5

King Uttama with his all armed soldiers Soma, Sura, Alaiya, Mulaji, Jivakhachar, Bhruguji, Nanja, Rathod, Mantrika, Vaghaji, Verabhi, Hasti, Mamayo, Ram, Galav; Govardhan, Manji Vasta, Vela, Arjuna, Alaiya, Kesari, Mansinh, Kushal, and Punjaji; Kala, Hammiraji, Khoda, Bhimo, Jusho, and Ratnaji, Jalam, Lakho, Kama, Moko, Viro, Devo and Naththuji; and others (of warrior class) led by Deshaji; and celibates led by Mukundanand, immediately followed Shri Hari. 6-10

Mayaram and other Brahmins, Parvat and other merchants, people of the forth caste (Shudras) led by Harshaji, and the bards (charanas), led by Gokul; went with Shri Hari for bath. A group of people playing musical instruments walked before them. The sages, walked looking straight like an arrow (not looking here and there) and up to a certain distance and then Shri Hari, ascending the horse, followed them slowly. 11-13

He was then followed by His attendants, while other men and after them groups of women followed Him. 14

Shri Hari noticed that the river Ganga, which was crowded by the people, was as if invoking Him joyfully, by waving her hands in the form of her waves. 15

Victory to river Unmatta Ganga again and again! The giver of final release, who is adored by Gods along with Mahesh (Shiva) as when the (supreme Lord) Vasudev (Shri Hari) who has taken human form, the protector, the master of devotees, takes bath and plays in her water, along with the great liberated sages with their faces radiant with joy; eradicates the pride of Kalindi which she has acquired because of Lord Krishna’splay in her waters. Through mere glance, destroying the sins of the people, accumulated in their innumerable former lives, bestowing all the desired objects (all the four Purusharthas), by bathing (in it), this river Ganga teasing the river Yamuna (Bhanuja- daughter of the Sun), with its white foam of her waves. 16

This River Ganga is (as it were) challenging the eminence of other rivers, though they having no (chance of) contact with Lords body, which has appeared in human form, but are famous on account of some other reason, by the roaring noise of her water! (is she demonstrating her eminence over the other rivers!) 17

In spite of her natural white colour, she has (turned) yellow because of the Tilaka marks of the Sages being washed during their bath; (at times she is) charming saffron red due to the robes of the ascetics washed in the waters; black and red due to the remnants of the Kumkuma and the musk used in the worship of the Lord that was applied by the queens, being washed away from their limbs during the bath. She is truly shining lustrous with variegated colours of her water. 18

The repetition of the name of Svaminarayan manifested in human form, from the mouths of ladies and gentlemen, bathing in her water thrice a day, was blended with the roaring of waters, (resounding in the sky), but sounding harsh to the attendants of the God of Death, who (while) roaming in all the directions, staring maliciously at those who do not follow Hari, run away out of fear. 19

She instantaneously destroys the sins that could not be removed even by much atonement. She gives rest to the God of Death and His assistants from their daily duty of giving punishments to the sinners. Even staying away, those who leave their bodies, but who happen to drink even a drop of Her water, after their death, instantaneously become entitled to get the service from the heavenly nymphs. 20

Seeing birds on the bank and fishes, crocodiles, serpents and other water animals, the nymphs in heaven, waiting for their demise, vie with anger for them and fight catching each other’s hair, through passion, say this is mine and not yours and suddenly carry them by air cars as soon as they are dead. 21

The merit of performing penance and observances of vows, Japa, and donations on Shraddha days, given on Her bank, becomes everlasting. Offering water to Gods, manes and men (sages like Sanaka and others), brings them intense satisfaction. By bathing in whose water all men attain the merit acquired by performing several sacrifices. Hence people desirous of prosparity and religious good, (should) always worship her. 22

The rising Ganga (Unmatta Ganga), by bath alone, makes fallen people eligible for heaven, though they may be vicious, sinners, and detestable (without discrimination); Hence, she has been described by all the renowned poets as Unmatta Ganga. She has been accepted by the Lord Himself. Even the God Brahma and Shesha could not rightfully describe Her greatness’ what to say about others? 23

Having arrived at the river Ganga, Shri Hari took His holy bath along with the great sages and other men. Taking a handful of water, He swiftly sprinkled it on his devotees and sages; and they also in return imitated Him in doing so. 24

Then, plunging into the deep waters of the river, He rejoiced all the people who were watching Him. He, then along with them, who were praying and praising Him, stood quietly for some time in the water. 25

His devotees surrounded Him, who was standing facing the current of the water, and stood there staring at Him. Some of His devotees sipped the flowing water which touched His feet. Brahma and the other Gods, who were eager to watch His water-sports, (Jalkrida), instantly boarded a plane and quickly assembled in the sky. They were very much delighted to watch Him. 26-27

He instantly dived in the water, and thus confused the people who were constantly watching Him. He continued swimming under the water for some time and suddenly showing His head, disclosed Himself at such a place where no body could expect Him to be. 28

Then, again He plunged Himself in the deep water and stayed there for long. He contemplated on Brahman in the form of Lord Krishna. After a pretty long time, He came out of water and amazed everybody. 29

Taking recourse to different styles, He swam in the water. His skills in the water-sports along with the sages surprised even those who were expert in swimming. 30

While He was swimming, hundreds of His attendants and sages swam with Him and tried to catch Him in vain. Shri Hari mocked at them who were very much exhausted and made faces while taking long breaths. 31

He rendered happy, Indra and other Gods, who were dwelling in the water for a long time in the form of fishes and other aquatics, and who were eager to touch His feet. He enjoyed (swimming in the waters of the) river Unmatta Ganga, who was very eager to touch Him after a separation of the whole night. Thus, He rejoiced swimming in water for a pretty long time.32

After taking bath He made a (symbolic) Tilaka (a auspicious mark) of water itself. He then performed a mid-day Sandhya ritual (symbolizing whiteness) and standing in the water and fixed his eyes on the Sun in the middle of the sky. Then, He raised His hands straight upwards and worshiped the Sun. 33

While Shri Hari was reciting the Surya-sukta loudly, the Gods who were residing in the sky, noticed the drops of sweat which resembled the pearls, gathering on His forehead. 34

O King, then, all the Brahmins and people of all the castes took bath according to the rituals and assembled around Him in the water. Then, raising their hands, all of them gave Arghya (a holy offering) and worshiped the Sun. 35

Shri Hari, the protector of religion, worshipped the Sun and then performed Brahma- yajna. He gratified the Gods by making oblations. 36

The great Brahmin Shri Hari, performed the midday ritual of offering handful of oblations sequentially, one, two and three- to Gods, to ancestral sages and His family ancestors, with His sacred thread changed in proper order, according to rituals. Then He ascended the horse and entered the city, along with the kings and sages, who praised Him with the songs of His greatness and glory. 37-38

Listening to these songs of victory sung by His devotees, Shri Hari, came to the king’s palace with the sages. He served them with Payasam, and Modak (sweet rice cakes) and asked them to go back to their respective dormitories and take rest. He then asked His devotees to proceed for lunch. 39-40

Then, He returned to His own residence, took bath again, and cooked food in the sanctified place. He offered it to Lord Krishna, made offerings to Vishvedevas and then, He, who had overcome taste, and had control over His intake, took His meals. 41

Thus ends the thirteenth chapter entitled, ‘Narration of description of the midday ritual of the holy bath of Lord Shri Hari,’in the third prakaran of Satsangi Jivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as Dharmashastra, (the rules of the code of conduct). 13