Chapter 43 - The narrative of Bhārgava Paraśurāma (g)

Vasiṣṭha said:—

1-2. While they remained thus with affectionate hearts and minds, O lord of the Earth, Rāma got up from the lap of Bhavānī. With palms joined in reverence, self-restrained and with purity of mind, he eulogised devoutly the Supreme Lord that has no particular features as though it has them, who (though) non-dual has attained duality and who (though) a quality-less entity has become possessed of qualities.

Rāma prayed^[1]:—

3. This Universe is born of the products of Prakṛti (i.e. of the seven Principles beginning with Mahat), How much enlightenment or capacity do I have to make it or to measure it? The person whose body and name are unknown (i.e. Śiva) has become the sole abode and support of all desired objects. Hence, let the beloved of god Śiva i.e. goddess Pārvatī who has fulfilled all desire, protect me.

4. The fact that Pradhāna (the primordial principle of Prakṛti) is glorified as one whose qualities become manifest, one that evolves (units of) time and number one who is the primary cause of Saṃsāra. O mother, let the fall of your vision (i.e. glance) which makes artificial falls, protect me now.

5. Let that god who eats with six mouths (i.e. Kārttikeya) protect me always—that god who destroys the race of demons, who dispels the distress of the Devas^[2]; who develops the race of the Pramathas (Śiva’s attendants), who reveals all lores, who made the city of Kāśī all on a sudden, who grants all blessings to the devotees and who conquered Varuṇa.

6. Let not (Víghneśvara) be the person who destroys fame—(Vighneśvara) who habitually stays near Hara (Śiva), who does the graceful work of serving Kṛṣṇa, who makes the people who bow down to him, shine, who makes the cowherdess lasses laugh, who is respected even by Hara, who is single-minded by being devoted to the lord of Cowherdesses (i.e. Kṛṣṇa) and who has understood many types of expedients.

7. Kṛṣṇa deserves to forgive my offence though it be too much grievous, Kṛṣṇa who has restrained his mind and directed it towards the lord (Supreme Lord—Śiva), who has dispelled the obstacles of his devotees, who has removed multitudes of sins, who is the bestower of knowledge upon those-who have no wealth, who possesses all weighty good qualities and who lies in the lap of Rādhā.

8. Let that leader protect me as I bow down to the leader who is glorified as Rādhā, who is propitiated by the people at the times of outcome, maintenance and annihilation of the Universe, who makes others understand the word that is conducive to the appreciation of the nectar of love exuding from the mouth of the Lord, who is the sovereign of the Rāsa dance, who is the goddess of the Rasikas (who have aesthetic sense) and who delights persons belonging to her fold by means of her strict adherence to the heart of her lover.

9. Let her ever be pleased, she from whose wonb was born the Ativirāṭ (extremely Superior Being) and of whom, Virāṭ forms but a part. This entire world consisting of the mobile and immobile beings is created by Brahmā who was born of the lotus coming out of the navel of the Lord and who had been instructed in a secluded spot. The cosmic Eggs shine in the pores of the hairs of the body of the Lord. Let her who is the mother of that lord be pleased always.

10. Let Kṛṣṇa be merciful to me, Kṛṣṇa who is the lord of the Universe consisting of the mobile and immobile beings; who is all-pervading; who is the ocean of Existence, Knowledge and Bliss, and who gracefully manifests himself along with Rādhā, who is blind due to love. Let Kṛṣṇa who is perfect and complete be merciful to me whereby I shall become meritorious and shall be able to get myself merged in Bliss.”

Vasiṣṭha said:

11. After eulogising thus the Supreme one, the son of Jamadagni stopped. He who had understood the meanings of all principles had the hair of his body standing on their ends as though he had realized his wishes.

12. Then the lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa who was delighted in his mind said to Bhārgava who bowed down to him devoutly, who deserved his sympathy and stood in front of him.

Kṛṣṇa said:

13. O prominent member of the family of Bhṛgu! You are now a spiritually accomplished person, due to my blessings. Now onwards, O dear one, be the most excellent person in this world.

14. Formerly, at the penance grove of Viṣṇupada, boon had been granted to you by me. O holy lord, everything will take place in the course of many years.

15. Kindness should be shown towards the miserable and the wretched ones, by one who wishes for excellent welfare. Yoga should be practised and the destruction of the enemies should be done as well.

16. There is no one equal to you in this world in regard to splendour and physical strength. By means of knowledge and renown too, you are the most excellent one among all.

17. After reaching your house, render service to your parents; perform penance at the proper time. Thereby achievement of the spiritual goal shall be within your reach”.

18. The lord of Rādhā then lifted up Gaṇeśa from the lap of Rādhā, embraced him closely and made him friendly to Rāma.

19. At the behest of Kṛṣṇa, O Suppressor of foes, both Rāma and Gaṇeśa, of excessively great fortune became highly delighted.

20. In the meantime, goddess Rādhā, the chaste beloved of Kṛṣṇa, rejoiced and granted boons to both of them with pleasure evident in her face.

Rādhā said:

21. Your two sons shall be worthy of reverence of all the worlds as well as their delighters. You will become invincible. Particularly you will be my devotees.

22. If anyone utters your names and begins any task, he shall achieve success in that task. Everything shall be due to my blessings”.

23-24. Then Bhavānī, the beloved of Bhava (Śiva), the mother of the Universe said:—

“Dear Rāma, I am delighted with you. What boon shall I grant you? Mention that O highly fortunate one, after giving up your fear.”

Rāma said:

Grant me this boon that I shall become the devotee of Kṛṣṇa and his beloved as well as of Bhava and his beloved, in the thousands of future births that I may be destined to take. I shall see no difference between Kṛṣṇas (i.e. Kṛṣṇa and Rādhā) and Bhavas (Bhava and Bhavānī).”^[3]

Pārvatī said:

25. “Let it be so, O highly fortunate one. You are the devotee of Bhava (Śiva) and Kṛṣṇa. Due to my blessings, O sage of holy rites, be long-lived.”

26. Then the delighted lord of the mountain, the husband of Umā, the lord of the Universe said to the leading member of the family of Bhṛgu, who bowed down and who deserved a boon.

Śiva said:

27. “O dear one, O Rāma, you are my devotee. The boon that I have granted you already shall be entirely fruitful in your case. Truth has been mentioned by me. It shall never be otherwise.

28. From now onwards there shall be no one in this world stronger than you or possess more splendour than you.”

Vasiṣṭha said:

29. After taking permission of Śiva and the daughter of the mountain, Umā, Kṛṣṇa went back to Goloka accompanied by Śrīdāman and Rādhā.

30. Then the righteous Rāma, worshipped Bhavānī and Bhava. After prostrating he circumambulated them.

31. After bowing down to and taking leave of Gaṇeśa and Kārttikeya, O lord of the Earth, he set out for the house, accompanied by Akṛtavraṇa.

32. Setting out, Rāma was bowed down to by the Gaṇas chief of whom was Nandīśvara, and O king, he went home with great joy.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The alliteration of certain syllables (e.g. nam and taḥ in v.4a and 4b and of Śī in v.5, si and no in v.6a and 6b are worth noting.

In this omnibus prayer, Paraśurāma eulogizes the important members of Śiva’s family, Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa who helped him out of the impasse after smashing down Gaṇeśa’s tusk.

[2]:

“Emended as lekha-tāpa-prāṇaśī for lekha-pātāvināśī as the text is obscure.

[3]:

This Purāṇa specifically tries to bring together Vaiṣṇavism and Śaivism. The boon sought and granted here emphasizes this.