CHAPTER – 4

Suvrat said:-

Shri Hari initiated both the kings to celebrate all the Krishnotsavas in the palace of King Uttam. I shall narrate the celebration of one of the festivals in brief, so that you will be able to know more about the celebrations of the other Mahotsavas also. 1.

In order to fulfill the desire of the King Uttam, He directed him, to celebrate the Vijayadashami (tenth bright lunar day of the month of Ashvina) festival very happily in the Sarvadharini year (Samvatsara). 2.

Jaya, sister of the King Uttam was in charge of the kitchen. She took proper care of the women devotees who had come from different parts of the country. 3.

A large number of devotees, religious students, celibates, ascetics, householders and a number of men and women had gathered from other towns to eyewitness the holy sight of Narayan. 4.

Lord Vasudeva, who had assumed the form of a human being, was worshipped by the respected devotees with sandalwood paste flowers, apparels and valuable ornaments. 5.

The thoughtful king pleased all the groups of ascetics and other people by serving them delicious dishes, vegetables, salads etc. 6.

For seven days, Shri Hari taught them the fundamentals of Unique (Absolute) religion (Ekantika dharma) and revealed to them His divine form and qualities. Having pleased them in this manner, He allowed them to leave for their respective towns. 7.

During their return journey, the doyen of sages, devotees, householders, and all other men and women, appreciating the thoughtfulness, righteous attitude and the devotion of the king towards Shri Hari, reached their respective towns. 8.

Amongst those devotees who were on their way back, King Uttam, respectfully requested the Brahmin devotee Prabhasankar and Brahmin women devotee, Ganga, to stay at his residence, and participate in the Annakutotsava. 9.

O King! ‘ they, who were expert in cooking,who had deep love and affection for Shri Hari, and who firmly believed that rendering their services to Him was the final objective of their life, enjoyed their stay at the residence of King Uttam.’ 10.

After bidding good-bye to all those devotees gathered in the campus, Shri Hari, surrounded by a few distinguished devotees, ascended the throne, especially setup in the courtyard of the palace. 11.

A friendly quarrel between the two sisters Jayaba and Lalitaba.

In the meantime, Lalita, the daughter of King Abhaya who had miraculously displayed the excellence of her devotion to Shri Hari and who was expert in all the practical dealings, respectfully and smilingly approached Jaya, her elder sister, in order to tell her something. 12.

Sitting by her side, Lalita said, ‘O dear sister! today you have pleased Shri Hari, by rendering your valuable services you have. Likewise, with your consent, I also wish to serve Him in the forthcoming Food (Annakuta) festival.’ 13.

Jaya said to her younger sister, ‘Bhadre! You have pleased Shri Hari by your performance at the Janmashtami celebrations. O! devout lady! you may offer your services at the Dipotsava festival in the Dark half of the month, in the next Annakutamahotsava occurring in the bright half of this month. I shall execute my duties as laid down by Shri Hari.’ 14-16.

Having heard this speech of Jaya, Lalita who was witty in argumentation, smilingly said, “O my dear sister Jaya! You are right. We do have to obey the rules framed by Shri Hari. This Annakutotsava is the part of the Dipotsava itself, and is no longer different. O you! Have you not heard the famous saying (aphorism) of Narad in the Vratakhand ? ‘All the three days of Dipavali festival should be celebrated together.’ If they are celebrated separately, I learn that it is a great offence. Hence my sister! You please direct me properly. I shall always follow your instructions. If you are interested in celebrating this festival, take the permission of Mahaprabhu and give orders to the attendants to procure the material ‘. 17-22.

Having listened to this tricky argument of Lalita Jaya who was very straightforward said,’ O you devout! (Lalita), go ahead and take the charge’. 23. 

Then Jaya, having called King Uttam, said to him,’ please get the permission of Shri Hari.’ 24.

Uttam Raja seeks permission to celebrate Annakut festival.

He (King Uttam) approached Shri Hari with great joy. Those two (Jaya and Lalita) stood at a distance amongst (other) ladies. 25.

Then, King Uttam, saluting Shri Hari, with folded hands, stood before Him waiting to say something. 26.

Shri Hari, having realized that the king wished to tell him something, smilingly asked him, O King! “What is your problem?” He told Shri Hari,’’ O Bhagavan! ‘Please listen to me as I want to request you to do me a favour. O! Lover of devotees! If you allow me, it will be my pleasure to arrange to procure the material for the Annakuta festival.’ 27-28.

Directions of Shree Hari not to incur debt.

Narayan who was delighted by listening to the innocent speech of the king, who always longed to do favour to his devotees, looked at his two sisters,who were standing far away with folded hands and who were eager to listen to His words, said,’ O! King Uttam, I am very much pleased with your incredible love, but you have spent a large amount for Janmashtami, Vijayadashami and all the Dvadashi celebrations. Prabodhini festival is also not far-off. However, I am not unaware of your financial status. 29-31.

Matters which are concerned with money are achieved with the help of money only and not by knowledge or devotion or by (simply) reciting the names of God. Rituals performed by the learned people by acquiring wealth from here and there, result in annoyance and torture given by the financiers and money lenders. They will not leave your home without taking back your money which is due to them, (they) will never go back by acknowledging (your) ‘explanations’ regarding ‘devotion (to God)’ or such other sayings like ‘wealth is a calamity ‘ etc. 32-34.

Except in crucial conditions, one should not raise loan. No torture is as great as one given by the money-lender. No suffering is as great as the suffering given by the money –lender. 35.

Even the king should not eat food offered by a money-lender. It is advisable to pacify (his) hunger (even) by eating vegetables on the fifth or sixth day. 36.

Lord Krishna tells Arjuna in Bhagavadgita that he is pleased with (one) with pure mind and not with one having wealth. 37. ‘ Who ever offers me a leaf, a flower, a fruit, water with devo-tion I accept that pious offering from the one pure in heart.’ 38.

Lord Krishna does not admire one who worships God with plenty of offerings but lacks absolute devotion. 39.

Hence you should serve Him only with your whole-hearted devotion and not by exerting yourself in spending too much money on the worship of the Lord of the noble people. 40. 

Lord of the noble people admires even those who are penniless, but still are dedicated to Him whole-heartedly, rather than those who are wealthy and spend too much on gifts and offerings. 41.

Shri Hari greatly admires only those devotees who do not have any fascination for wordily things, rather than those who are engaged in worldly pleasures. 42.

Indra and the other Gods however glorious, triumphant and well-off, worship Him incessantly, with plenty of gifts and offerings. But they are unmindful and are overwhelmed with passion. Hence they are not considered as dedicated devotees. 43-44.

Sanaka and others were not rich, but they were free from all the desires. They had deep longing for Shri Hari. They were considered supreme amongst all the dedicated devotees. 45.

Directions to celebrate Annakut festival as per one’s capacity.

Even if, they worship Acchuta (Shri Hari) with flowers, leaves etc., He is extremely happy with them. Therefore O King! “All my devotees as well as all the people should perform religious rites according to their own ability, but never by begging alms!” Those who. 46-47.

Therefore, Annakoototsava also should be celebrated as per your financial capacity, but at the same time you should not miss the Lord’s ritual. 48.

Lord Narayan Vasudev is the ruler of this Goloka. He is the Lord Krishna who after taking birth at Vasudeva’s residence came to Vraja and caused to observe this Govardhanamahotsava. Hence we also should celebrate this (Annakuta) ceremony right away.’ 49-50.

Suvrat said:-

As directed by Shri Hari, the King after bowing Him down, followed his sisters who, even for a moment, did not think of anything except rendering service to Shri Hari. 51.

Thus ends the fourth chapter entitled, ‘Description of receiving orders from Shri Hari at the time of Annakuta festival’ in the third Prakaran of Satsangi jivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as Dharmashastra, (the rules of the code of conduct). 4