* A short summery of the contents of the entire text. * Greatness of the Book and rewards of reading it.
A short summery of the contents of the entire text.
Suvrat said:-
O King, as per your request I have narrated to you, full account of Lord Narayana’s life, event by event, which is auspicious and the donor of the good to all. 1.
In that, firstly I have narrated to you the story when great sages (like Marichi and others) had assembled to meet Nar-Narayan in Badarikashram, in the Himalayas. 2.
O King, then Dharma along with his wife came there as well, and that due to Durvasa’s curse they (the sages) had to descend as humans in this world. 3.
According to that curse Uddhav, Dharmadev, Murtidevi and other Sages were born as humans on this earth and that Dharmadev was married to Bhaktidevi (Murtidevi). 4.
Thereafter, troubled by demons (Asuras), Dharma and his wife Bhakti left their hometown (set out on pilgrimage) and came in Ramanand Swami’s refuge, who was the incarnation of Uddhav. 5.
Again due to the trouble given by Kings and others who were partly demons (daityas)in their acts, Dharmadev guided by Hanuman came to Vrindavan - that I have already mentioned. 6.
Then, pleased by the great worship of Shri Krishna in Vishnuyaga, Lord Himself appeared before Dharma and the sages, and blessed them. Then walking through the forest Dharmadeva had to face a curse from Ashwatthama (the son of Dron). 7.
After that I have narrated about the curse given by Godess Vindhyavasini to Kalidatta and other demons then about the birth festival of Shri Hari at Dhamadeva’s house. 8.
I then narrated Shri Hari’s naming ceremony and Chaula (cutting hair first time). Thereafter followed demon Kalidatta’s defeat. . the childhood plays of Shri Hari and His thread ceremony in Ayodhya. 9.
Further; I narrated how Hari Geeta was recited to Shri Hari’s mother and how Bhakti and Dharma attained divine abode... Shri Hari left home and became a wandering ascetic... while roaming in forest, Bhairava was defeated by Hari.10.
I had also narrated regarding Shri Hari’s stay and observance of austerity in Pulahashrama,... Shri Hari experiencing actual presence of Sun God who blessed Him,... Shri Hari’s yogic practices,... His victory over Pibaika and other great shakta’s. 11.
defeat of the multitude of demons in Utkal (Orissa),... Shri Hari while wandering as a pilgrim God Shankar and Parvati actually appeared there and blessed Him. 12.
Thereafter at Lojapura Shri Hari met with disciples of Ramanand Swami, and then went to see Ramanand Swami who was the incarnation of Uddhav and became his disciple. 13.
At the persistent advice of Ramanand, Shri Hari accepted the seat of Guru and manifested His divine prowess.
(Here ends the 1st Vol.)
Shri Hari then defeated Meghajit (others in debate) and showed his majesty and brilliance. 14.
Manifested Himself in the form of Shri Krishna to those who were meditating,... then in discourses explained Narayan-geeta and evils of greed and passion and other blemishes. 15.
Shri Hari established non-violence in this land,... then conversation between Khatwangaand King Abhay were mentioned to you as well. 16.
Shri Hari’s arrival to Durgapur at the request of King Abhay and how the (British) governor was blessed with a boon by Shri Hari. 17.
Then, the declaration and promotion of Uddhav cult and preaching it place to place, visiting various cities and towns. 18.
Shri Hari performing various sacrifices,... refutation of thoughts of the Kaulas other cults,... and Shri Hari’s conquest on all quarters,... His stay at Durgapur. 19
(Here ends the 2nd Vol.)
Then narrated to you how King Uttam (with Jaya, Lalita and others)became His devotees and engaged themselves in giving wholehearted service to Him,... then about the grand Annakoot festival in detail. 20.
In the discourses in the assembly of devotees, Shri Hari showered love and enlightenment and published Satsangadeep for their guidance. 21.
Thereafter, Shri Hari guided on the rules of righteous code for ascetics, while speaking on the topics like dharma-raksha, sparsha-viveka, dharma-siddhi, nishkam-shuddhi. 22.
Then Shri Hari spoke about the absolute unity of Shri Krishna and Himself,... ritual and method of repeating Shri Krishna’s name, observance of Ekadashi vow, and the Prabodhini Ekadashi festival. 23.
Shri Hari then celebrating the great festival of Pushp-dolotsav at Vrittalay...
(Here ends the 3rd Vol.)
The ritual and method of hearing Purana, in detail and the importance of Bhagavata purana,... celebration of Janma-ashtami festival, in Sarangpur. 24.25.
Further, I told you about Bhagavan’s departure to Nagatankapur, Panchalagram and how He explained the correct meaning of Shrutis i.e. scriptures. 26.
Then, Shri Hari constructed a temple at Shrinagar (Ahmedabad) and installed the idols of Nar-Narayan; and also at Bhujanganagar, according to the scriptural procedure. 27.
Then the Lord installed the idols of Laxmi-Narayan in Vrittalay and the actual arrival of Lord Dwarakadish (Krishna) there. 28.
He then, explained the meaning and purport of Triyuga;... He then adopted His nephews Ayodhyaprasadh and Raghuveer as His sons and appointed (them as His successors) as Acharya. 29.
Shri Hari then went to Vatapattana (Vadodra) with the group of sages where the king Sinhajit (Sayajirao Maharaj) honoured Him with respect... writing of the Shikshapatri ... all these events were narrated by me. 30.
Shri Hari then went to Shrinagar (Ahmedabad) where He celebrated the swing festival of flowers,... then arrival of Shri Hari to Bhall-desh and installation of idols of Radha-Krishna in the temple of Dholera. 31.
Thereafter, He instructed about the ritual of Deeksha (initiation),... promotion of His teachings,... instructions about rituals of various vows, festival and righteous code (Dharma-mrut) for the Sadhus (of his sect). 32.
Here ends the 4th Vol.
O King, Shri Hari then explained Sankhya-shastra and knowledge regarding Dharma. 33.
Shri Hari then explained the division of four castes (varnas) and stages of life (Ashrms)and duties of each of them; and also the duties of women and of those not belonging to four castes, elaborately. 34.
Moreover, Shri Hari explained the atonement rituals for all small and great sins and various types of Kruchhra vows. 35.
Shri Hari then installed an idol of Dwarakadhish at Jirnadurg (Junagadh) and explained the duties of avowed celibates (naishthika Brahmacharis). 36.
Shri Hari established the idol of Gopinath (Krishna) at Durgapattan,.... expounded the science of yoga with its all aspects and salient features. 37.
I then told you, how Shri Hari conferred his blessings on Shatanand Muni and instructed him to write Satsangijivanam. 38.
Thereafter, Shri Hari reflecting on the purpose of his descent as fulfilled and thought of returning to His celestial abode. His preachings to His devotees..., the event of His disappearance from this earth,... the ritual and celebration of His birth-anniversary. 39.
O King, thus, on your request, I have narrated to you all the wondrous life story of Shri Hari, as it happen in the course of time. 40.
O King, this book Satsangijivanam written by Shatanand Muni. it is a Shastra - a scripture in itself, it is supremely pious. It is the essence of Vedas, Shastras and Puranas. Shatanand Muni taught and explained it to me so that I could understand it easily. I have happily told it to you as you have expressed your wish to hear the same. 41 - 42.
Greatness of the Book and rewards of reading it.
The name of the Book ‘Satsangijivanam’ is quite meaningful, the Supreme Being Lord Shri Hari is said as Sat, sangis are those who have taken shelter in Him, it is a life source itself (Jeevanam) to them on this earth. They should always read, listen and ponder over it, respectfully. 43.
He, who reads it, obtains the fruit which one obtained by reading of the Vedas; a twice born, any one of the three castes, obtains the merit of performing all the sacrifices (yajnas). 44.
A man or a woman, belonging to any of the four castes who hears it with deep respect, will get desired happiness in this and the other world. 45.
By hearing this, a Brahmin will get wisdom, a Kshatriya (Bahuja) will enjoy sovereignty, a Vaishya will get wealth and a Shudra will get happiness. 46.
Anyone who reads or hears this Shastra with any special wish in his or her mind, will get the wish fulfilled; while one who reads it without any motive, will get highest devotion. 47.
Those Brahmins, who will perform Purcharana i.e. reiteration of the Book as a vow (for 108 times etc in a set period), will certainly get all their wishes fulfilled. 48.
Those men, who are desirous to know about religion, knowledge and dispassion, should read and study this text, diligently. 49.
Those who wish to attain final beatitude should read or hear this book, which is donor of their desired object. 50.
For those who understand the meaning and teaching in this book, nothing remains to be known (in this world). Hence, those who wish their own good should resort to this Book, wholeheartedly. 51.
Obeisance again and again to Narayan Muni, Krishna, Shri Hari and His devout disciple Shatanand Muni, my Guru. 52.
Thus, listening to the story of the life and deeds of Narayan Muni narrated by the most respected sage Suvrat, King Pratapsinh was very pleased and satisfied. He said; 53.
O excellent among the sages, no doubt, my birth on this earth as a man has been completely fruitful by your holy association. By listening the wonderful deeds of Narayan Muni, Shri Hari, I am so much happy at heart today, that I cannot express it in words, O great sage. 54 - 55.
O great Sage (Shatanand), you are really blessed as you have directly served Shri Hari, you have won Him by your love and devotion, and have become worthy of his grace. 56.
O Sage, you wander on this earth to deliver knowledge, to enlighten people like us. Really, it is the inborn nature of saintly persons like you to do good to others. 57.
Please accept me as your disciple, I surrender to you alone. Please bless me, so that I could see that wonderful Lord, actually. 58.
Thus prayed by king Pratapsinh, the Sage said to him, ‘(if) you meditate on the Lord and try to visualize Him in your mind as I have described Him so far, He will appear before you’. 59.
Shatanand Muni has said (promised) to me that, those who listen to this great Book diligently, Shri Hari will certainly bless them by giving His Darshana. 60.
At this point, the King bowed down before Suvrat, sat in steady posture and concentrated on Shri Hari, as he had heard, with firm resolved. 61.
When by the grace of his guru (Suvrat) and by his own merit of listening to the scripture he -King Pratapsingh had a direct perception of the Lord Hari, in his heart, in the midst of the glow of profuse lustre, handsome like crores of cupids, attended and worshiped by his devotees; he was overjoyed by happiness. 62 - 63.
After some time, when the king came to his senses, saluting to the Muni (Suvrat) happily said ‘O Sage, surely, it is because of your grace that my wish is fulfilled and my life is fruitful’. 64.
Then the Muni (Suvrat) said to the king, ‘so, this is the way you meditate everyday and constantly think of Shri Hari; worship Him while doing your duties; so that you will attain the supreme abode of Shri Hari’. 65.
‘Staying in this very sacred place(Jagannathpuri) you worship Shri Hari all the time’, saying thus to the King, the sage left for another holy place. 66.
The king lived there and worshipped Shri Hari with deep love and devotion; and within short time, he attained His supreme, celestial abode, Goloka. 67.
Listening to Whose stories, singing Whose name and praise and remembering whom is propitious, brings good fortune and all that is auspicious; may that Hari shower welfare and happiness to all. 68.
One who uprooted the irreligious cults and enhanced and augmented the righteous following, the destroyer of all sins and sorrows, that Shri Hari with His devotees, be pleased with me. 69.
Thus ends the Seventyth chapter entitled, ‘A short summery of the contents of the entire text.’ in the fifth Prakaran of Satsangi jivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as Dharmashastra. (the rules of the code of conduct). 70
THUS ENDS THE 5TH VOL. & SRIMAD SATSANGI JIVANAM