Dvisahasri of Tembesvami (Summary and Study)

by Upadhyay Mihirkumar Sudhirbhai | 2012 | 54,976 words

This page relates ‘Staying at the confluence of rivers Bhima and Amaraja’ of the study of the Dvisahasri by Tembesvami:—a Sanskrit epic poem (mahakavya) narrating the legend and activities of Lord Dattatreya, including details on his divine sports and incarnations. Also known as Datta, he is considered one of the Holy Masters in the Natha cult imparting spiritual knowledge and adequate practice to the aspirant.

Chapter 13 - Staying at the confluence of rivers Bhīmā and Amarajā

[Note: This page represents a summary English translation of the Dvisāhasrī by Ṭembesvāmī, chapter 13.—In the 13th Chapter (the subject matter is that) after milking a barren she-buffalo the Holy Master is served upon by the king, rescues the ghost and exhibits His Universal Form to a monk (called Trivikrama).]

13/01-02 Nāmadhāraka: What does He do after coming to river Bhīmā.

13/03-07 Siddh: The Holy Master stays in Gāṇgāpura situated on the bank of rivers Bhīmā and Amarajā (04). He begs alms (05). Other puffed up wealthy persons laugh at Him. But like the Sun though covered with clouds, spreads the rays in the sky, the Holy Master’s qualities spread like the musk in a small box (06-07).

13/08-15: Once He sees an old she-buffalo (mahiṣī) at a poor Brahmin’s place and asks for milk (08). The Brahmin lady replies that the she-buffalo is a barren one and is employ it as a he-buffalo (carrying the load) (09). He is reluctant on asking for milk. She is wonder struck yet milks the buffalo and offers Him the milk (10-11). Her husband returns and knows all, approaches Him and starts worshipping Him (12). The people come to hire the buffalo, but seeing the buffalo milking, report to the king (13). The king approaches the Holy Master and prays to save (14-15).

13/16-17: Holy Master spoke: What is the reason for his arrival?

13/18-29: The king spoke: He requests Him to stay in his city (19). The Holy Master accepts his prayer (20-22). The Holy Master sees a Brahmin-ghost (brahmarākṣasa) in the city through His Divine Power (23).

The Brahmin-ghost sees Him, bows down and requests to rescue him (24). As soon as the Holy Master places His hand on his head, the ghost resumes the human form. The Holy Master asks the ghost take a bath in the confluence and to get rid of the ghostly specie. He follows His words. He is released (25-26). The king being pleased offers Him a hut (27). The king worships Him (28-29).

13/30-42: Trivikramabhāratī (of Kumasī) mistakes His activities and thinks Him to be a deviated one and a hypocrite (30). The Holy Master knowing his thoughts asks the king to go to him, that blaming one (31-32). They go there (33). He is disturbed in the meditation on god Nṛsiṃha (34-35). He realises that his Lord is on the bank of the river. He rushes there to behold the Lord, but he sees many monks there and gets deluded (37-38). The Holy Master mocks at him saying that He is a deviated hypocrite. It is His jugglery (39). Trivikramabhāratī being a well versed in the duties of asceticism, should tell what a renunciation means (40-42).

13/43-54: Trivikrama spoke: He is struck by His Divine Power, He prays to save him (44). The Holy Master is really Lord Nṛsi ṃha (45). The Holy Master reveals His original form and graces Trivikrama to behold His Divine Form followed by His worldly form (46-48). Trivikrama asks to forgive (49-50). Trivikrama feels blessed like Arjuna by seeing His form (51). The Holy Master must save him from Nescience (52). The Holy Master fulfils his wish (53).He then follows the path of Action to become a model for the people (54).

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