Chapter 240 - Devotion Explained

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Brahmā said:

1. A Dīpa offered to Hari is superior to my Dīpa. He who offers it shall reside in Vaikuṇṭha and he will not like to covet my affluence.

Nārada said:

2. This Dīpa offered and placed in the abode of Viṣṇu with the recital of relevant Mantras by men gives excellent benefit always. How can it be more so in Cāturmāsya?

Brahmā said:

3. Viṣṇu is the permanent presiding deity unto me. Viṣṇu is always worthy of being adored by me. I always meditate upon Viṣṇu. Indeed Viṣṇu is greater than I.

4. Dīpa, a favourite of Viṣṇu, is the remover of sins always. Especially during Cāturmāsya, it causes the fulfilment of desires.

5. O dear son, Viṣṇu is so much delighted and satisfied through the offering of a Dīpa that he does not grant boon even on thousands of Yajñas performed.

6. With a very little amount spent over a Dīpa men derive infinite benefit. (If that is offered) when the Lord lies down on Ananta there is no limit to the amount of Puṇya (merit) acquired.

7. Hence if one offers a Dīpa to Hari with the feeling of oneness with all souls along with faith, one is not defiled by sins.

8. If the offering of a Dīpa is made to Hari who has assumed the form of a Yati (a recluse) with all the sixteen modes of worship, it is as good as the entire universe is lit up.

9. O Brāhmaṇa, subsequent to the offering of a Dīpa, food offering is to be made, while chanting the thirteenth Ṛk devoutly, by men standing (as if) at the threshold of Mokṣa.

10. It is this food offering by a householder that even Devas desire to the exclusion of Amṛta and they always flock together at his doorstep.

11. Especially when Hari is asleep, Arghya with fruits brought for the occasion, should be offered everyday by men to propitiate Viṣṇu.

12-14. One should offer Arghya with great devotion along with betel leaves, excellent arecanuts, grapes, mangoes, walnuts, Dāḍima fruits, Jaṃbū fruits and Bījapūra fruits (pomegranates). O leading Brāhmaṇa, with the recital of this Mantra the devotee should take water in a conchshell and place the fruit thereon and offer it unto Keśava. After offering food, Ācamana should be offered.

15. Ārtikya (Waving of lights) that quells all sins, should then be performed with the recital of the fourteenth Ṛk. Then the devotee bows down to Viṣṇu in the form of an ascetic.

16-18. With the recital of the fifteenth Ṛk the devotee shall walk around in all the directions along with the Brāhmaṇas (i.e. circumambulation is performed).

By offering water to Hari, devotees of Viṣṇu obtain that benefit which is obtained by offering the waters of the seven oceans.

O leading Brāhmaṇa, if the devotee walks around (circumambulates) four times it is as though the entire universe consisting of mobile and immobile beings is traversed. That itself constitutes pilgrimage etc.

With the recital of the sixteenth Ṛk, the devotee, the most excellent one among those conversant with Yoga, shall think about Sāyujya (identity) with the deity.

19. The devotee thinks about the identity of himself with Hari. At that time he shall not think about the idol or the physical forrm. The ḍeity becomes visible due to being of both corporeal and non-corporeal form.

20. When that is seen, all activities pertaining to Sat and Asat (Real and Unreal) stop. The devotee should think about himself having the refulgence of the Sun in the centre of all luminaries.

21. Always thinking within himself that he is Viṣṇu the devotee acquires Vaiṣṇavī (pertaining to Viṣṇu) body. The Brāhmaṇa shall become a liberated soul while still living.

22. Especially during Cāturmāsya, a Brāhmaṇa should possess (practise) Yoga. This is cited as devotion to Hari, the bestower of the path of salvation.