Darshan of Bhaktidevi pleased with the services rendered by the lady devotees on the pious occasion of Annakut and Prabodhini Utsav.
Darshan of Bhaktidevi pleased with the services rendered by the lady devotees on the pious occasion of Annakut and Prabodhini Utsav.
Suvrat said:-
then in the evening all the women devotees assembled at the residence of Lalita. 1
In that huge house, they (women devotees) with the (sound of the) clapping of (their hands) joyfully recited the names of Shri Hari for a while. 2
Then those pious women, in order to mutter the names of Bhagavan holding rosary of beads in their hands, took their (respective) seats. 3
They had put on (nicely) washed clothes and sat in a Swastikasana with a straight posture. They contemplated Hari in their hearts as they perceived him. 4
By fixing their mind on the image of Bhagavan, which vibrates in the pious heart of those women with unblinking eyes, (they) recited His mantra. 5
Rama, Jaya, Lalita, Amari, Amala, Kamala and others, who were engrossed in meditation looked as if they were painted picture. 6
While the minds of those women, were occupied in the image of Bhagavan, a miracle took place. 7
All of a sudden in the midst of those ascetic (women) devotees, a lustrous mass appeared pervading that house. 8
That luster comparable to the thousands of moon clustered together, looked beautiful like a white heap of carded cotton. 9
Then, in that house, that luster spread like a suddenly appearing thunder cloud. It became steady and illuminated all the directions. 10
Seven tunes (their) three scales and the twenty-one Murcchanas, created a diverse sound, which pleased the audience. 11
It was really a great surprise that the melody (of the music) deta- ched the mind of those women from the image of Bhagavan. 12
O King! they were confused when they watched the mighty great luster and (more so) were surprised to near a sweet sound there itself. 13
Thus, when Rama and other women were respectfully observing this, they noticed a divine and an attractive woman. 14.
She was wearing a celestial costume and was adorned with divine jewelry. She had a very proportionate figure and a pleasing lotus-like face. 15
She was very slim and had a golden complexion. She had a graceful figure. Her face looked beautiful with chubby cheeks and had a sharp nose. She wore (put on) a pair of ear-rings. 16
She had an attractive and nicely developed breast-line due to her blooming youth. She had a thin waist. The sweet smell of her face, attracted the humming bees and hence. 17
Her long hair were decorated with a wrath of bloomed jasmine flowers. Her bashful and gentle smile, with raised eye – brows displayed her amorous sentiments. 18
By the beauty of her huge buttocks which were covered with dustfree garment, the girdle around her waist looked more shining. 19
Her beautiful feet were decorated with golden anklets. Her necklace was studded with most valuable gems; hands were also decorated with bracelets. She captivated the minds of all the women by her charming beauty. 20
While playing on her own lute she was accompanied by her friends, She was depriving the Gandharvas and nymphs of their pride by her singing. 21
All the women were fascinated to observe her, who was joyfully singing the former life stories of Narayan muni. 22
Hence they all began guessing about that divine woman, as to whether she was a Lakshmi, Radha or Sarasvati or Savitri or, Sharvani or Svargalaksmi or some other goddess, who has come here; or is she the one who is engaged in the service of the feet of Narayan Muni? Or is She the Liberation incarnate giving us Darshana by gracing us? Or has she manifested in the form of Mohini taken by the Lord Bhagavan in order to enchant Lord Shiva ? 23-26
Those women, who were enchanted by her beauty and melodious singing, thus guessing in various ways, were unable take any firm decision. 27
Although they were eager to ask her, who she was being horrified by her luster, they could not speak anything for sure. 28
Rama, who was prominent amongst those who were free from worldly attachment realized that her mind has renounced Hari and was involved in her. Hence, she started pondering over it. 29
It is really very surprising that even my firm mind has been coveted just by the very sight of this woman. 30
In this world, my mind was never tempted by any human being except Hari. Then how come it has been tempted by this woman? 31
My mind is detached to worldly as well as heavenly pleasures. Then how come it has been tempted by this woman? 32
My mind was never attached even to the supernatural men or women where they have taken the Samadhi. 33
It is really a great surprise that I have given up contemplating on Hari. How come my mind has been coveted by this woman? 34
I, along with Jaya, Lalita, Amari and others, have committed that we should not adhere to any body else than Hari. 35
Therefore it is Hari himself who wishes this to happen. Otherwise, who else who would be able to tempt our minds. 36
Although lord Shiva was always in the company of a woman, his (Shiva’s) mind never got agitated. This pride of Lord Shiva was put to an end by Lord Hari in the form of Mohini. 37
In the same manner, Hari, in order to assess us has adopted the same form as it were. It is Hari himself who is tempting our mind indeed! 38
One who by resorting to another form has deluded his own devotees, should be sportingly asked, whose daughter or whose wife are you? Deciding this in her mind, Rama who was very firm, modestly bending down asked her, who was singing the merits of shri Hari. 39-40
Ramaba said:- O Narayan, I bow down to you who delights my mind as well as my eyes! Who are you? Whose daughter are you? O charming Lady, whose wife are You ? 41
You appear to be a Devata, who catches the minds of the devotees towards herself. You indeed appear to be a Mother, please tell us your intention. Certainly, there is an interruption in our meditation of Hari. Hence, tell us our own duty towards a Mother and depart from here the way you have come. 42 - 43
Bhakti said:-
When asked by Rama, who was very intelligent and also who was totally detached from the worldly pleasure, Bhakti, the most beloved wife of Dharmadeva, said in sweet words, O Rama and other women devotees, Listen to my words, know me to be Bhakti, a wife of Dharmadeva incarnate. I along with my husband always stay by the side of Narayanamuni in the divine form. That is why human-beings do not see me. I am very much pleased with the Annakutotsava and Prabodhini Utsava performed by Jaya and Lalita. In both the celebrations all of you being very dutiful have taken great efforts regardless of the physical exertion. Hence I am pleased with those two, Jaya and Lalita and all of you too. As per his instruction, I have revealed myself to you. Even the yogis are not able to have my Darshana with their own eyes. I am pleased with you, So, you may ask for a boon from me as per your wish. 44-50
Suvrat said:-
Rama and others, having thus listened to the words of Bhakti, became free from any doubt and hence were very much delighted. They who were amazed and thrilled with joy, bowed down to her. 51.
Then all the women, with their happy countenance, folded their hands, and said to Bhakti, who was dear to Narayana. 52
Rama and others said:-
O Bhakti. O Bhagavati! O Dhruva, on seeing you our hearts are filled with joy. 53
O Sarvamangala! If you are pleased with us, stay in our hearts forever. O great Queen, for the time being please bestow upon us this only boon. We do not long for anything else. Our mind is very much tempted to listen to your song. O Mother, tell us which mind-blowing song you are singing now. 54-56
Bhakti, who was thus requested being pleased with them said, O pious one! listen to my befitting and assuring words. 57
Where the Lord Dharmadeva resides, I am also present there. If Dharma -Deva departs the place, I also immediately leave that place. 58
O women, a chaste woman as I am, I have taken an oath that I will not leave him, who loves me. He will also not leave me whom I love. 59
He has succumbed to you, who are already self restrained, I have also been conquered by you, by following great moral observances. i. e. Yama and Niyama. 60
You desired that I should reside in you along with my husband. Hence that I will reside in your hearts, is beyond doubt. 61
You asked me, what I was singing . Now listen to its answer. His glory is to be sung who confers happiness upon you. This is the real situation. 62
Narayanamuni himself is Lord Krishna. He has protected us from demons (Asuras) who were his ancestors, Kamsa and others. 63
Vyasa has composed former life-stories of Narayanamuni. I sing those which gives delight to our mind. 64
O women, Mahamuni Shatanand will compose the latest life stories in future. I will recite them too. 65
Suvrat said:-
O KIng, in this manner He bestowed a boon upon them, answered their question, and suddenly, disappeared like a flash of lightning. 66
Those women were surprised and very much delighted by her sight which they considered as Prasad of Shri Hari. 67
O King, in this manner all the wishes of His own devotees get fulfilled and they get protection in all respects. 68
He, who is served by his own devotees, and who gives delight to their minds, initiates them to celebrate great festivals and thus spreads his fame and glory. 69
This life-story of Shri Hari is very sacred. One who listens to it with devotion and makes other to listen to it, they by abandoning their bodies from the bondage of the worldly attachment, attain the abode of Brahma. 70
Thus ends the forty-fifth chapter entitled, ‘Narration of description of the Darshana given to Rama and other devotees at the time of Prabodhani 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). 45