Chapter 27 - King Cola and Viṣṇudāsa Liberated

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Nārada said:

1. Once, O Brāhmaṇa, Viṣṇudāsa performed all his daily rites and then cooked his food. But someone stealthily took it away.^[1]

2. Although he could not see cooked food, he did not prepare it once again, because he was afraid that it would create obstacles to his evening worship and thereby his Vrata would be broken.

3. On the second day also he cooked his food. By the time he went (to the temple) to dedicate the offerings, someone stole it once again.

4. In this way for seven days someone stole away his cooked food. He was struck with wonder and thought thus:

5. ‘Oh! Who comes here everyday and takes away my food? This abode should not at all be abandoned by me who am a Sannyāsin (recluse). It is a holy spot.

6. If the food is to be cooked once again and eaten by me, the worship in the evening will have to be abandoned. How can it be?

7. Even if I cook again it cannot be eaten because, without offering to Han nothing is to be eaten by Vaiṣṇavas.

8. I have observed fast for seven days. I shall remain here and maintan the Vrata. To-day let me protect the cooked food carefully.’

9. Thinking thus, he remained there itself hidden after cooking the food. Presently he saw a Cāṇḍāla stealing the cooked food.

10. He was emaciated due to hunger. His face was pale and gloomy. Only bones and skin remained (on his body). On seeing him the eminent Brāhmaṇa was moved with pity.

11. On seeiag the thief of the cooked food the Brāhmaṇa said:

“Stop, stop. How can you eat that dry food without ghee? Take this ghee too.”

12. Saying this the Brāhmaṇa hastened towards him. On seeing the Brāhmaṇa coming, (the thief) ran quickly due to fear. He fell down unconscious.

13. On seeing the frightened and unconscious Cāṇḍāla that eminent Brāhmaṇa rushed towards him compassionately and fanned him with the end of his cloth.

14. As he rose up Viṣṇudāsa saw that it was Lord Nārāyaṇa himself holding the conch, the discus and the iron club.

15. On seeing him, the excellent Brāhmaṇa had all the Sāttvika Bhāvas (the emotions and feelings along with horripilation, perspiration etc.). He became incapable of eulogizing or bowing down.

16. Then the Devas including Śakra came there. Gandharvas and celestial damsels sang and danced joyously.

17. The whole place became crowded with hundreds of aerial chariots and celestial sages. The place was full of the sound of songs and instrumental music.

18. Viṣṇu embraced his devotee of excellent holy rites. Granting him Sārūpya (identity of form), he took him to his abode in Vaikuṇṭha.

19. King Cola who was under initiation (for sacrifice) saw Viṣṇudāsa seated in an excellent aerial chariot and going to the presence of Viṣṇu.

20. On Seeing Viṣṇudāsa going to the world of Vaikuṇṭha, he hurriedly called his preceptor Mudgala and spoke these words:

Cola said:

21. Yajñas and Dānas were performed by me in order to compete with Viṣṇudāsa. That Brāhmaṇa has now assumed the form of Viṣṇu. He is going to the abode of Vaikuṇṭha.

22. In this Satra I have been initiated by you perfectly. In this Vaiṣṇava sacrifice Homa was performed in the sacred fire. With charitable gifts etc. Brāhmaṇas have been fully satisfied mentally.

23. But that Lord is not pleased with me till now. It is certain. It was due to the devotion of Viṣṇudāsa that Hari granted him direct vision.

24. Hence, Viṣṇu is never pleased with charitable gifts and Yajñas. Devotion alone is the greatest cause of the perception of the Lord.

The Attendants said:

25-26. After saying this he crowned his nephew as the king and made him sit on the throne. Ever since his childhood he was engaged in Yajñas and so he had no son.

Hence even today in that land (Tamil Nadu or rather Kerala?) the sons of sisters are the successors to the throne. They share the kingdom.^[2] They remain within the bounds and limitations imposed by him (i.e. the reigning king).

27. Then he went to the sacrificial chamber and stood in front of the sacrificial pit. Addressing Viṣṇu, he called thrice in a loud voice:

28. “O Viṣṇu, grant me steady devotion permeating my mind, speech and action.” After saying this he threw himself into the fire even as everyone was watching.

29. Out of anger Mudgala plucked out his tuft of hair. Ever since then the Mudgalas belonging to his Gotra have remained tuftless.^[3]

30. In the meantime Viṣṇu, fond of his devotees, appeared in the fire in the pit. Acyuta embraced him and got him into an excellent aerial chariot.

31. After embracing him and granting him his own form (Sārūpya), the Lord of Devas went to his abode in Vaikuṇṭha along with him surrounded by Devas.

Nārada said:

32. He who was Viṣṇudāsa became Puṇyaśīla. He who was King Cola was the one with the name Suśīla.^[4] These two who had the same form as that of Viṣṇu were appointed as his gatekeepers by the Lover of Ramā.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

VV 1-14 narrate how the Samabhāva (attitude of equality towards all) of Viṣṇudāsa was tested by god Viṣṇu.

[2]:

This custom of Kerala is attributed to Cola Dynasty due to the lack of correct information of the Purāṇa writer.

[3]:

A Purāṇic explanation of the then prevalent Tuft-lessness of persons belonging to the Mudgala Gotra.

[4]:

This is the pre-history of Viṣṇu’s attendants Puṇyaśīla and Suśīla.