Chapter 1

1. First of all let me make my full self-surrender to Sri Krishna, the Supreme God-head, Who is clad in milk-white like cloth, Whose Complexion is Shyama, like the impending rain-showering cloud, Who has four massive most beautiful Arms; and having most bewitching and Grace-showering Countenance, He cuts asunder all the knots of the illusion. 1 surrender myself to Him and my panegyric to that Supreme God par excellence.

2. I make my full self-surrender to that Immortal Eternal Primeval Lord Sri Hari, Whose very remembrance makes oneself totally free from all inauspiciousness and the gloom of nescience.

3. That Primeval Lord Who is the Embodiment of eternal Truth and Who is the very Substratum of every existence, whether mundane or Transcendental and Who is the Efficientcause of all causes, Who is one without a second yet makes His innumerable Descents, Who is the Creator of all beings, sentient and non-sentient whereas He Himself is never subject to any creation nor is sustained by any body else being Himself Self-some, over Whom time has got no sway, neither water can drench Him nor fire can consume Him; we contemplate upon Him.

4. Ah, the devotees like humming bees being attracted by the fragrance of the Tulasis applied at His Lotus-Feet ever feel drunk in drinking deep the Nectar that flows from His Lotus Feet which although aspired after by the master Yogis, yet they never can have a taste of it, they being devoid of an idea of devotion. They no doubt observe severe penance sustaining themselves on drinking water and inhaling air only yet they cannot get rid of cycle of transmigration of life. I make my obeisance to that glorious Lord Vishnu, the final Resort of all beings.

5. Sri Brahma who was born from the Navel-lotus of Sri Vishnu, Sri Garuda, Sri Arjuna, Sri Shukadeva, Sri Prahlada, Sri Bhishma, Sri Uddhava, glorious sage Vedavyasa, Sri Akrura, Sri Parashra, Sri Dhruva and such other Paramabhagavatas, chosen devotees of the Supreme Godhead Sri Mukunda (Sri Krishna) who all sanctify the three worlds by their very presence, as it were, like the waters of the holy Tirthas, the Ganges etc. and who all are the very crest jewel ornaments of the worlds are the only physicians to cure the incurable worldly disease and who all are the bestowers of eternal peace, happiness and bliss like the moon who showers the calmness to the earth and the substance to the corns. Let me make my obeisance to such glorious devotees of the Supreme Godhead.

6. There is a most sacred forest-land named Sri Naimisharanya on the bank of the holy river Gomati. That holy land is the most reputed Tirtha for all the three worlds and in all the seasons it is saturated with the fragrance of sweet-scented variegated flowers and ever full of abounding delicious fruits of all kinds.

7-8. Those crest jewel devotees of the Supreme Godhead Sri Hari who are all endowed with all the auspicious divine Qualities wearing all the auspicious marks on their bodies and also suitably clothed commenced a Yajna in lieu of worshipping Sri Hari continuing for many many years. The trees at Naimisharanya are ever so blossomed with abounding fragrant flowers as it were, they are the gods of the heaven having bedecked themselves with all varieties of ornaments have come to receive the oblations of the Yajna.

9. The glorious sages lived there most happily along with their children, wives and cattle. The entire place was so divinely surcharged that it became the very place of Divine Bliss and the most glorious place for pilgrimage.

10. At this most sacred Naimisharanya Sri Shaunaka Muni, a crest jewel devotee of Sri Hari who was honoured as the precepter of the sages, used to enlighten all by imparting Divine lesson of Hari-Bhakti.

11. As the sandalwood-paste when applied on the burns caused due to the fall of boiling oil pacifies the suffering, so too the Divine enlightenment that was bestowed by the glorious sage Sri Shaunaka made the recipients feel tranquil and full of Bliss having got rid of the suffering of worldly disease.

12. As in the Satya Yuga, Dharma remains at its ascent so also at Naimisharanya the Sanatana Dharma is ever flourishing by leaps and bounds. The entire place of Sri Naimisharanya is ever surcharged with Harisankirtana, therefore this place is ever free from the afflictions of Adhyatmik, Adhibhautik and Aidhidaivik viz, mental and physical sufferings, sufferings from other creatures, and sufferings caused due to the nature’s fury.

13. Those who are dovetailed in the loving service of the Supreme Godhead Sri Hari their every offering, performance of sacrifices, dedication of oblations, muttering of sacred formulas or Mantras, eating, drinking, discoursing and everything else are dedicated to the loving serice of Sri Hari, the Supreme.

14. Those untainted souls, having their sole motto to render their unalloyed service to Sri Hari sustain their lives by honouring Mahaprasadam that too taking that much which is most essentially needed. They first offer the eatables to Sri Hari and thereafter honour the remnants just to live for Hari-Bhajan.

15. Those who inhabit Sri Naimishsranya although they are masters of all branches of Sastric knowledge, yet apparently they act as if they are ignorant of other rites of the rituals because they want to devote themselves solely to Hari Bhajan only.

16. They never cherish any enemity against any one. They are so noble and their spiritual wealth is so surmounting, as it were, they are like the glorious Sumeru Mount. They never find fault with others.

17. They ever feel it their crowing honour to place on their hands the Tulasi from the Lotus Feet of Sri Hari, the Supreme to beseech the Lotus Feet of Vishnu is their very garments, to listen to the Exploits of Sri Hari is the pendants of their ears and to fold their palms in panegyrical hymns to Him is the armlets of their hands.

18. They ever invoke the Lord chanting of ‘Oh Govinda, O Krishna! And the red-sandal-wood-paste, as it were, the Pollen of the Lotus Feet of Sri Krishna was the precious gem of their finger-ring.

19. Day in and day out they ever keep themselves engaged in Hari-sankirtana. The sky ever shines with enchanting phenomenon over their heads. The entire field is enshrined with divine atmosphere conductive to enliven the devotees with Hari-Bhajan.

20. People who all live there, never pray for eradication of the common foes of all beings but they quietly got rid of them viz, lust, anger, etc., the six worst enemies of the heart.

21. Once upon a time Divine sage Sri Narada with a view to having association with the most venerable devotees of spiritual gems went to Sri Naimisharanya.

22. At his very approach to Sri Naimisharanya the glorious sage felt delighted to see the glorious sacred river Gomati whose water has become more powerful to sanctify the world due to the ablutions taken in its waters thrice daily by the glorious devotees of the Supreme God who without fail, perform their daily spiritual rites by contemplating upon the Supreme Godhead.

23. Hundreds and thousands of waves as it were, dancing over her bed resonating a murmuring sound that represents as if she were invoking blessings upon those devotees who after their ablutions on her bed are absorbed in their prayers with folded palms.

24. The glorious sage Narada felt delighted at this very sight of the holy river Gomati, and forthwith commenced singing Sri Hari-sankirtana playing on his Vina and gradually entered into Naimisharanya.

25. Ah! the trees blossomed with sweet-scented flowers having got the honey-drunken bees maddenly moving about, got its, petals loosened so as to fall on Sri Narada, as it were, thereby the trees paid their homage in welcoming the rishi. Oh, ho how fortunate indeed, are even the non-sentient beings of the place!

26. Soon the inhabitants of Sri Naimisharanya could notice the glorious divine sage Narada who was shining like the pleasing moon of the autumnal night and whose spiritual glow was visible in his very person, they hurriedly ran to him and most heartily received him with great ovation.

27. Those sages of the place welcoming the Divine sage: said “Ah, when fortune smiles upon one by dint of Allmerciful Lord the rarest most precious wealth unexpectedly comes within one’s fold. So by the providence your Divine Grace condescended to make thy advent here at Sri Naimisharanya.

28. The wise rightly have behested that to live long is just for enlightening the soul with observing auspicious events. Ah, what a glorious feast we enjoy today by having the most auspicious Darshan of the crest jewel devotee, your Divine Grace.

29. O Divine Master, today we realise that the spritual rites that we sincerely observed have washed off our sins, otherwise how we could be given this rare chance to meet your Divine Grace, the very embodiment of all-auspiciousness!

30. As a poor labourer cannot get rid of the poverty by his hard labour but providentially may get most valuable treasure, likewise although we with great labour were observing the spiritual rites for acquiring spiritual virtue but by dint of providence we are aboundantly enriched having amidst us your Divine Grace, the repository of all Divine auspiciousness.

31. O divine master, we fervently pray that your divine grace, a crest jewel devotee of Sri Hari may graciously condescend to make us drink through the cup of our ears the Nectar poured from thy holy lips in extolling the Exploits of Sri Hari even for a day.

32. The holy feet-washing water of yours destroys all inauspiciousness, therefore let us have the chance to sprinkle that all-sanctifying water at our hermitages and thereby get them free from all obstacles that stand against the observance of our spiritual rites.

33. The fruits from the forest trees and the pure fresh water of the Gomati river both are provided by the nature without any labour, we with fervent devotion offer to you and feel ourselves blessed.

34. The highly spiritually enlightened Sri Shaunaka muni is our spiritual preceptor. He will certainly feel most delighted to meet your divine self: therefore we pray kindly pay a visit to his hermitage.

35. Thus while those noble Brahmanas (devotees) with their folded palms supplicated to the divine sage Sri Narada, who ever delighted the Vaishnavas gladly complied with their request.

36. Soon accompanied by those noble souls Sri Narada, rishi proceeded towards the hermitage of Sri Shaunaka muni which was enshrined with divine atmosphere and natural beauty.

37. Sri Narada, a crest jewel devotee of Sri Hari knew pretty well how he should be compassionate to the supplicants, particularly his very life was for the fulfilment of God’s mission. Indeed, his advent at the particular place is by the dint of Providence.

38-39. As he moved he could have the sight of many temples and he paid due obeisance to the Deities. He felt much delighted to meet the holy Brahmanas who were like the moving God-incarnates. Being fascinated by the charm and divine atmosphere of the hermitages that he could see while he was passing through, he extolled their glory. Finally he reached the hermitage of Sri Shaunaka muni which was a place of assemblage for the sages.

40. Just after the completion of the worship of Lord Vishnu the glorious Shaunaka muni was discoursing on the Divine Exploits of the Supreme Lord Sri Hari in the assemblage of the enlightened souls.

41. Among the sages assembled there, some were melodiously singing extolling the Pastimes of the Lord, some others were dancing in ecstasy! others who saw the glorious rishi (Narada) coming, clapped their hands with great exclamation.

42. The loud and melodious songs in extolling the Divine Leela of the Lord created such an enchantment that everyone present there felt Divine Bliss in ecstatic rapture.

43. Though Sri Shaunaka muni was immersed in ecstasy but through his intuitive wisdom soon could know the presence of the glorious rishi Narada at his hermitage, at once he ran taking with him the materials of worship to receive the glorious rishi duly.

44. Sri Shaunaka muni on approaching Sri Narada who appeared as the very personification of Hari-bhakti treasure, and the store of spiritual wisdom fell in prostration before him.

45. The glorious sage Narada at once lifted him by his hands and most affectionately folded him into his bosom at which Sri Shaunaka felt himself inundated into the blissful ocean.

46. Sri Shaunaka muni made the glorious rishi Narada seated on a comfortable seat and after most venerably offering Arghya to him pleasantly enquired all about his welfare.

47. He said, Bho! revered muni, kindly order me, what I can do for you; nay, your holy presence made my hermitage abundantly enriched because the exalted devotees of Sri Hari like your holiness are the very treasure of all the spiritual wealth.

48. The exalted devotees of Sri Hari although never hunted by any unfulfilled desire yet out of their compassion for showering their grace they graciously accept the humble offerings of the deserving souls. Therefore I shall feel myself supremely blessed if I may be commanded to render some service to your honour.

49. Hearing these pleasing words of Sri Shaunaka muni the divine sage Narada delightfully spoke: ‘O muni, your supplication itself is the proof of your noble heart and your humbleness is of no-wonder because that is the very characteristic of a true Vaishnava. Nay, you are the very repository of such divine characteristics of humbleness. Such gems of divine auspiciousness how can be found elsewhere except in the honourable devotees of Sri Hari like you?

50. Who-so-ever meets you becomes purified from sins and enshrined with devotion to God Sri Hari. Therefore my purpose of visiting this sacred Tirtha is abundantly rewarded at the very union with you. Thou art verily the treasure of the earth; thou art the personification of Hari-bhakti. My single mission of visiting this sacred Tirtha is aimed at having your association.

51. You are really fortunate, indeed, as you are enlivening these noble ones with nectar-pouring Discourses on Hari- bhakti. One who enlightens the people of the world who all are suffering from the triple affliction of worldly diseases by pouring into their ears the nectarine Harikatha is the real progenitor and indeed he is crowmed with success.

52. Thus Sri Narada conversed with Sri Shaunaka and other Brahmanas present there, who worshipped Sri Narada duly. The glorious rishi Narada spent a whole day associating himself with those holy ones at that hermitage of Sri- Shsunaka muni.

53. The day was a day of festival in which feast was to drink through the cup of ears the nectar that was poured by the glorious rishi. The Brahmanas present there as they were thirsty and greedy for Hari Katha-rasa asked him.

54. They said, O divine master, no doubt this world is full of sufferings, sins and impurities, yet there is a crowning wealth that is the holy association with the crest jewel devotees of Sri Hari which makes one’s life blissful, fruitful and successful. Today by having association with your holiness the cups of our lives have become so full that even the aspiration of attaining Mukti (liberation) has become faded.

55. The untinted sun shines and moves in its direction for the benefit of the inhabitants of the earth, therefore sun is known as the friend to all. But the exalted souls like you roam about for the spiritual welfare of the universe. The sun dispels the darkness of the outer-world whereas the exalted devotees of Sri Hari dispel the inner darkness viz, the nescience from the hearts of the people and make oneself totally free from worldly hallucination.

56. (Out of humility they said) Our heart is ever burnt by the scorching lire of lust, anger, greed, infatuation, temptation and thirst; therefore kindly extinguish the burning fire of our heart by showering the rains in the shape of discoursing on the Transcendental Nectarine Pastimes of the Supreme Lord Sri Hari and thereby let us feel the state of complacence and bliss.

57. Sri Narada who as it were, bedecked himself with the necklace of Sri Hari Sankirtana, who has sonorous voice and ever engaged in singing the Glory of Sri Hari and who is a swan resorting in the crystal clear water of the Mandakini representing the ecstatic resonance of the Transcendental Pastimes of Sri Krishna, the Supreme par-excellence and who like the drunken bee ever intoxicatedly drinks deep the Nectar that flows from the Lotus Feet of Sri Krishna felt extremely delighted at the supplication of the munis of Sri Naimisharanya.

Other Vaishnavism Concepts:

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Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Chapter 1’. Further sources in the context of Vaishnavism might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Mukti, Vina, Kirtana, Haribhakti, Spiritual welfare, Spiritual Wealth, Supreme god, Holy Tirtha, Sacred Tirtha, Divine bliss, Devotional service, Spiritual Preceptor, Sandalwood paste, Hari-sankirtana, Primeval Lord, Gomati river, Remembrance of Hari, Cycle of transmigration, Unalloyed service, Beautiful arms, Exalted devotee, Transcendental pastime, Divine pastime, Auspicious event, Full self-surrender, Divine atmosphere, Unfulfilled desire, Divine exploits, Sri Krishna, Spiritual virtue, Divine enlightenment, Mahaprasadam, Harisankirtana.

Concepts being referred within the main category of Hinduism context and sources.

Spiritual rite, Holy Brahmana, Sacrifices and offerings, Divine sage Narada, Sacred formula.