Chapter 48 - Popularization of the Lord’s Worship by Indradyumna

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

The sages said:

1-2. At the conclusion of the installation of the Mansion, what boons Hari granted to Indradyumna as well as the twelve great festivals that he ordered—all these we have heard directly from you. Thereafter, what did the highly intelligent king who continued to remain a devotee of Viṣṇu, do?

Jaimini said:

3. After receiving the boons directly from the Lord of the universe, who is the Brahman incarnate, that excellent man considered himself blessed and one who had fulfilled his task (in life).

4. He celebrated all those festivals, the bestowers of merit and emancipation, in accordance with the command (of the Lord). He worshipped the Sire of the universe in diverse ways and with many offerings and courteous services.

5. Then he instructed king Gāla about the various things that the Lord had commanded along with the procedures for the same. And he spoke these sweet words full of righteousness and justice:

Indradyumna said:

6. O king, you are a man of vast learning. You abide by the practice of virtuous deeds. You entertain devotion to the Lord in thought, words and deeds.

7. The Lord does not command merely for the sake of instructing a single person. He is the preceptor of both mobile and immobile (beings). The entire universe has become his disciple.

8. With the aim of blessing me the Lord of the universe incarnated. For the sake of uplifting men of distressed minds he will stay here for a long time.

9. Carry out his behest with devotion and faith. O king, do not think that he is a mere idol.

10. It has been perceived directly by you that all the three worlds came to the earth at the time of the entry into his Mansion by the Lord of the universe.

11. All the Devas headed by Brahmā came simultaneously along with the Lord in his cosmic form. We all became bewildered, unable to know what we should do.

12. This Lord who has assumed the wooden form is himself identical with mobile and immobile beings. Know him to be the Kalpa tree, the bestower of all desires on the earth.

13-15. Whatever may be the form in which one worships him, one attains the fruit of one’s desire. Though they strive much, ascetics do not obtain him. He is stationed beyond the darkness. He is of the form of some unique luminous being. He is the sole path of Yogins, of pious ascetics, of the purest persons having sublimated their sexual energy, of those who are endowed with single-minded devotion.

During Summer one attains the greatest pleasure by immersing oneself in a vast water reservoir, cool, deep and majestic. In the same manner one gets the height of bliss in this ocean of mercy.

16-18. When Puruṣottama has been approached (realized), one gets rid of the misery in the form of the three types of suffering. Neither mother nor father, neither a friend nor a wife nor a son can be of as much assistance as he to those distressed persons who have sought refuge in him. So serve him. He bestows the benefits of worldly enjoyment as well as salvation. Make the citizens and the general public celebrate those festivals elaborately.

19. This is the usual path of virtue among kings, O excellent king, that what is initiated by the earlier one is kept up and perpetuated by the later one.

20. Worship Nṛsiṃha, O king of kings, with offerings and services leading to great prosperity. Worship him at the three sandhyās (morning, noon and evening) everyday and attain the greatest bliss.

21. They say that the preservation of what is done and achieved by others is superior to what is done by oneself. If a person maintains what is handed over by others, it is indeed superior to what is given by himself.

Jaimini said:

22. With palms joined in reverence that excellent king Śveta accepted his suggestion with a bowed head like a garland of great quality (or value).

23. The saintly King Indradyumna propitiated Puruṣottama. Accompanied by Nārada that glorious king went to the world of Brahmā.

24. Thus the excellent, meritorious greatness of the sacred place has been recounted to you. So also the greatness of the Brahman in wooden form permanently dwelling there.

25. If a person devoutly listens to this, as it is being read, O excellent Brāhmaṇas, he will get the entire benefit of performing a thousand horse-sacrifices.

26. The Ardhodaya is a great astronomical combination glorified by Skanda. The merit of the glorification of Viṣṇu’s greatness is crores of times greater than that.

27. He who listens to this every morning, shall be on a par with one who gifts away a hundred tawny-coloured cows. He shall obtain the benefit of ablution in the holy waters of Gaṅgā and Puṣkara.

28. It is conducive to wealth, fame and longevity. It is meritorious. It increases progeny. It yields the benefit of being established in heaven. It is destructive of all sins.

29. This is the secret mentioned in Purāṇas. It is well-guarded. It should never be mentioned to anyone except a Vaiṣṇava.

30. The following are Avaiṣṇavas: Those who indulge in evil arguments, those who have imperfectly learned the Vedas and the Āgamas, atheists, hypocrites, those who always see only defects in others. Their lives are fruitless. From them this should be kept secret.