Chapter 18

1-3. Shaunaka and other glorious rishis after listening to Narada about the Nectaring Harikatha felt unquenching thirst to drink more and more that Nectar, therefore falling at his feet they said, ‘O Venerable rishi, no doubt when one tastes the ambrosia naturally he becomes satisfied, wheress, the Nectar that flowed from your holy lips in the shape of Harikatha we drink deep through the cups of our ears but it increases our thirst more and more insteed of quenching our thirst. Indeed we are drowned in the ocean of Bliss by your unceasing pouring of Harikatha into our ears, but we are afraid that you may stop the narration.

4. Previously you spoke about the glory of peepul tree and also Tulasi plant, therefore kindly tell all about Sri Hari’s Glory in relation to them.

6-9. At their such submission the glorious rishi Sri Narada was pleased. Particularly Sri Narada was thinking that they might be feeling tired to attend to him. But now at their inquisitiveness he was much delighted. Next he spoke to them thus:—‘So long you will feel delighted to listen to me I shall certainly feel overwhelming joy to extoll the Exploits of my Divine Master Sri Hari. 1 travel all over the three worlds with my mission for the spiritual welfare of all beings by pouring into their ears by the Nectarine Harikatha in extolling the Exploits of my Divine Master Sri Narayana. Therefore O the holy Brahmins, let us drink unceasingly the Nectarine Harikatha and we pray that devoid of Hari-Sankirtana we may not spend even a moment. Devoid of Harikatha even for a moment is the death blow to us. So, as long as we keep ourselves engaged in Harikatha we feel ourselves blessed and indeed, purpose of the life is served otherwise we are undone.

10. In ancient time glorious rishi Markandeya, narrated to the assembly of the Munis all about the glories of peepul tree, Tulasi plant and also of the Vaishnavas, exalted devotees of Sri Hari.

11-12. There held an assemblage of the rishis headed by honourable Vasistha and such other great ones and the saints on the holy bank of the Ganga. There discussions took place in regard to (1) who is dear to Sri Vishnu, (2) who lives a purposeful and fruitful life on earth, (3) by worshipping Whom all the committed sins are washed off. But in the talks controversial opinions also came.

13-16. Markandeya Muni who remained for seven Kalpas happened to come over there. All the rishis present there knew that he would be able to solve their problem. They welcomed him with offering obeisance and he too sat comfortably. Rishi Markandeya by his intuition could read the hearts of the rishis present there. He expressed great happiness to see Parashara on the lap of glorious rishi Vasistha. Although at that time Parashara’s age was seven years but he had inborn steadfast devotion of Sri Vishnu. His heart was dove-tailled in Sri Narayana. Even for a moment he was not devoid of the rememberence of Sri Narayana. Rishi Markandeya soon saw the boy Parashara on the lap of his father at once he got up and with great reverence paid his homage to the child, at which everybody present there was surprised.

17-18. But in return Parashara with great reverence fell at the feet of Rishi Markandeya when Markandeya rishi lifted him by his own hands and remarked, “You are elder to all of us, therefore we worship you”, Markandeya rishi said “you please count your age.” Hearing these words Parashara said, ‘alas, what a mystery. Where is this Markandeya rishi remaining for seven Kalpas and where this boy of seven years of age?’

19-20. Markandeya simply smiled and said to the rishis. ‘How this way one’s span of life is to be considered? O the rishis, now I am going to bring the truth, Jivas born with the corporal bodies but the time that one spends in Hari-Bhajan that portion of time is to be calculated as the span of life.

21-23. See, as while blowing away the husks only, we know how much paddy remains, accordingly the wise do not count the period of the life which is spent in devoid of Hari-smaran. Therefore when you do not spend even a moment without contemplating upon Sri Narayana you are, to that estimation far advanced in your age and really an object of veneration to all of us. Whereas we are so averse to Haribhajan that if our days are accordingly calculated then I should say, that none of us will be even of five years old.

24-26. The time spent for attaining spiritual good in life is only worth for living. Otherwise leading an unholy life in gross material enjoyment how can one be considered better than a beast who also has the same freedom of enjoying, eating drinking, sleeping and mating etc. All the sentient beings indulge in eating, sleeping, infatuation, sexual intercourses succumb and submit to anger, sorrow, aversion etc. These are the common factors for all born beings whereas human beings are given the rare opportunity to contemplate upon the Blissful Lotus Feet of the Supreme Lord Narayana. Here he is considered superior to other born beings. To have steadfast devotion at the Lotus Feet of Sri Narayana is only the source of all-auspiciousness. A man devoid of steadfast devotion to Sri Narayana is not recognised by the wise, as a living person.

27-29. Does a tree do not grow? Does a blower of a blacksmith do not breath? Does not a Vina make melodious music? Should we consider they are all living beings? A child enriched with steadfast devotion to Sri Hari is most glorious whereas a man of ripe age devoid of devotion to Sri Hari is totally undone in life. Judge, can a mighty tree stand in virtue before a small Tulasi plant? Ah, Sri Hari does not prefer to hold in His Person a beautiful wreath of Parijata flower, the celestial best flower, whereas He ever feels delight to put round His Neck the garland of Tulasi. Therefore so glorious Tulasi has won her exceptional glory and no tree or plant can be compared with her.

34-35. I shall be now narrating before you an ancient legend about the holy Tulasi. In ancient time there was an illiterate Brahmin who lived on cultivation and never observed any religious virtues. Once he after eating the rice that was left overnight, went out of his house with a rope in his hand. He was quite hale and hearty; he went to the forest and collected a large quantity of grass, yet desiring to get more green grass he went to a grove full of grass. It was really a very pleasant look; he was much delighted to look at it. It was dazzling like Marakata-mani (green gem). The very sight brought a great purification in his mind; He began to think very deeply. If these plants are useful as food for the cows as well as for the man then I shall be too happy to collect them in plenty. Anyhow for test, today I shall carry with me a little quantity of it and shall sell it to my neighbour and I may get a good amount. But instantly the span of his life came to its end.

36-38. Yama’s messengers approached him but without his notice they commanded a poisonous cobra, “You bring the death to this person now itself by your poisonous bite. He is a Brahmin by birth but has not done his Brahminical rites therefore he should have such inauspicious death. You should be best, before he touches the sacred Tulasi. Because if death comes to him when he is in touch with Tulasi, he will certainly go beyond our hold. Thus being commanded the cobra proceeded towards the Brahmin, but the Brahmin did not see the snake. Anyhow as providence smiled on him, he quite in advance before the cobra approached him, plucked some quantity of Tulasi and immediately Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshana Discus appeared there but without his notice.

40. Now he was fully protected by the Sudarshana. When the Brahmin began his return journey the Sudarshana went along with him giving all protection to him. Here the Brahmin was carrying head-load grass and the cobra entered into that bundle of grass and awaiting the opportune time when the Brahmin leaves the Tulasi. Yamadutas too followed him. But the Brahmin went on keeping the bundle of grass on his head.

41-44. The Brahmin could not know anything of this. He reached at the door of his house. Now the messengers of Yama could feel intolerable scorching at the dazzling Sudarshana and got much frightened. Here a Brahmin exclusively devoted to Sri Krishna through his intuition could realise the entire incident and was astonished to learn about the super-natural power of Tulasi. With a great curiosity he asked the Yamadutas at which they said to the Brahmin, with due respect all about how the Sudarshana Discus came for the protection of the Brahmin and that as soon as the Brahmin will bring down from his head the bundle of the grass and also the Tulasi bundle, at once the cobra will bite him bringing his instant death and forthwith they will carry him to the abode of Yamaraja.

45. Then the Vishnubhakta Brahmin out of the compassionate thought about the life of the ignorant Brahmin spoke to the messengers of the Yamaraja pretending as if he was not aware of anything.

46-47. He said, ‘O the Yamadutas, you show your mercy for saving the life of the innocent Brahmin. Soon the Brahmin leaves the Tulasi the Sudarshana will no more protect him. You are all glorious messengers of Dharmaraj Yama, so kindly you made me understand that as soon as this poor Brahmin would leave the Tulasi the cobra will bite him unto his death. But this poor Brahmiu has collected the sacred Tulasi for me, therefore I supplicant you, kindly save his life.’

48-51. Next the Yamadutas said, what can we do? We are only just to carry out the order of Sri Dharmaraja. With due respect to you, we say, that another one and half hours only of his span of life remains; thereafter instantly he will die due to the bite of the cobra. It is only Hari Who alone can protect him. Therefore Sri Hari Who is much fond of Tulasi may be supplicated by you with offering Tulasi so that He may be pleased to grant your prayer. Sri Hari is so fond of Tulasi that He at all times dwells in the grove of Tulasi, yet He is very pleased upon one who offers even a single leaf of Tulasi to Him. Therefore if this Brahmin offers with devotion a Tulasi leaf at the Feet of Sri Narayana there remains no doubt that at once Sudarshana will drive us out far away and the Brahmin will be beyond our reach.

52-54. Whether one is virtuous or full of sins but if he worships Sri Vishnu by offering Tulasi we will have no jurisdiction to approach him. After his death he will be carried to Vaikuntha by the messengers of Sri Vishnu. Why Sri Narayana is so fond of Tulasi it is a mystery to us. One who carries in his hand Tulasi Sri Hari Himself accompanies him. Therefore if you so desire to save the life of this Brahmin from impending death then worship Sri Vishnu by offering Tulasi without any delay.

55-57. Hearing these words of the Yamadhutas, the Vishnu-Bhakta Brahmin performed special puja to Vishnu devoutly offering Tulasi and lo, so happened, that the cobra along with those Yamadutas to the very sight of both the Brahmins left the place and went on their way. Now that Vishnu-bhakta Brahmin told everything to that poor Brahmin. And both of them went on a pilgrimage and performed special puja to Sri Hari. Both the Brahmins by dint of their steadfast devotion to Sri Hari in due course attained the final beatitude of their lives. There is nothing to surprise in this, particularly when Sudarshan protected them.

Ah, what a glory of a devotee of Sri Hari? What a glory for a peepul tree?

58. What should I say about the super-natural potency of Sri Tulasi plant. Therefore how should I speak about the divine excellency of yourself, an exalted devotee of God Sri Hari?

60-61. O revered Parashara, can there be any comparison with the excellency of the Peepul tree? By worshipping peepul tree, one becomes washed off his all the impurities. A peepul tree, is most dear to Sri Hari and therefore it exists for the good of the people. One who nurtures peepul tree he becomes free from all sins. To see or to touch, to hear about its glories, to remember or to praise it makes oneself washed off all his sins. Even if one performs one thousand Ashvamedha Yajnas (horse- sacrifies) the merit thereof no doubt makes oneself enjoy heavenly pleasures but that is also exhausted in due course, whereas the spiritual merit that is gained by nurturing the peepul tree never is exhausted and also that is uncomparable.

62-64. Peepul tree represents the Divine Splendour of Sri Vishnu Himself. One who dwells under its shade gets himself not only saved from the scorching sun of the summer but he gets rid off from the triple afflictions of maya. When one circumambulates once the peepul tree, he gains the merit of donating lands to the holy Brahmin because doing so he has actually circumambulated Sri Narayana Himself. One who worships the peepul tree by offering flowers, garlands, perfumes will get the same honour after his death when he goes to Vaikuntha.

65. O wisemen, one instead of worshipping many gods if devoutly worships the peepul tree, actually one is not neglecting any one of the three worlds, indeed thereby every one of the three worlds is served because the peepul tree represents the Divine Splendour of Sri Narayana.

70. O Brahmins, you all are the staunch devotees of Sri Hari and therefore I felt pleasure to disclose to you about this secret glory of the peepul tree. On Saturday, a Brahmin after getting up from his bed at the dawn first should take bath in the holy streams like Ganga or so, observing silence, next should worship the holy Peepul tree with chanting Purusha-Sukta (from the Rigveda) and Om. And it should be followed by offering puja, by offering sixteen types of Puja-ingredients, one hundred times muttering of Om and circumambulating it. Next comfortably sitting there meditate upon Sri Hari with all devoutness. Next he should chant the following Mantra:—He Brahmans. He Paramount-self, He Jagannatha, Thou art the fountain-source of all splendour. Thou art the Omniscient, Thou representest Thyself as the Peepul tree. For washing of my sins I embrace Thee—so saying he falls in prostration before it.

71-72. O glorious Peepul, one who receives your blessing never is subjected to lightning, or fire or any weapon. Even cyclone cannot harm him. Due to your existence it rains, O Vanaspati, glory to you—so saying he should fall once again in prostration before it.

73. This is the best atonement of the gravest sins. By worshipping thus one may be bestowed with a child, longevity of life and cured of the most complicated diseases.

74-75. What more should I say, nay this is a source of gaining paramount good in life because Sri Hari is so fond of it. One who performs for one complete year on every Saturday worship of this peepul tree Sri Narayana Himself appears to him in his dream and gives him spiritual illumination. So should one everyday with devout heart worship it.

76-77. One who plants the peepul tree sins do not touch him; and when with unstinted heart nurtures it, no misfortune will befall him and will be far from the temptation of eating unwholesome food, associating with abominable characters and the false-hood, becomes free from bad dreams or nightmare, influence of bad stars and free from ghosts.

78. O Prabhu, therefore how one can compare a peepul tree with any other tree. As a Vaishnava should not be looked upon with an eye compared with others accordingly you, being an exalted devotee of Vishnu your excellency stands above all.

80. When in the conclusion of his talk compared Parashara muni extolling his glory Parashara felt ashamed, but all the Munis present there were happy to know Parashara’s divine splendour and they only honoured Markendaya. What we desired to know that you have already narrated before us in course of your glorification to Parashara.

81. Devotion to Vishnu brings forth all spirirual good. Tulasi is most favourite to Sri Vishnu. Vaishnava’s life is purposeful and fruitful. Worship of peepul tree washes off all sins of the supplicant. All this we heve heard from you.

82-83. O, the exalted devotee of Sri Hari, we were having doubts in these points and we desired to ask you about these. O Prabhu, you have so graciusly enlightened us in these subjects and we are really indebted to you. By the unreserved grace of Sri Narayana we were bestowed with such a long life and spending our time in devotion to Sri Nara- yana indeed you are abundantly blessed. Yet out of your humility you spoke that you had not an iota of devotion to Sri Hari. Thus shows the very characteristic of a true Vaishnava.

84. All those munis thus extolled and knowing the supramundane glories of the Tulasi and peepul tree they honoured the peepul tree and devoutly worshipped Sri Narayana with offering Tulasi leaves.

85-86. Sri Narada said, ‘O dear Shaunaka, Markandeya Muni in nutshell I have narrated all about the divine characteristic of the Vaishnavas, Tulasi and peepul tree. Ah, what more can we speak in glorification of Sri Narayana Who is the God of all gods, Who has got innumerable Manifestations and Whose Potencies are unending and immeasurable. Can there be any person who can adequately narrate all about the super excellences of an exalted devotee of Sri Hari and also of the sacred Ganga who flows from the Lotus Feet of Him.