Bhaktachintamani Prakaran 21

Now, people of good understanding, hear this matchless story -- I shall tell you what happened after this, a joy to all who hear it.

In that same year, in the month of Vaishakh, on the second day of the bright fortnight, the devoted Premavati gave birth to a pure son.

Equal in virtue to PradyumnaPradyumnaOne of the four forms of Bhagvãn’s Vishvarup svarup. His role is to explain the tattvas, and to cause the sustenance of the brahmãnd (Virãt-Purush). During the state of sustenance, Virãt-Purush worships Pradyumna.Tap to open in glossary →, of a nature like the saints, of manifest devotion to Bhagwan, he was named Ichcharam, a virtuous one.

Know him to be the younger brother of Maharaj, renowned throughout the world. Now hear, all of you, what happened next concerning Shri HariHariAn avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in His four-armed svarup to save an elephant from being killed by a crocodile. He cut off the crocodile’s head with His chakra.Tap to open in glossary →.

Then, as the Lord's intelligence was seen to be immense, they enrolled him in school. On the twelfth day of the bright half of Vaishakh, they had young HariHariAn avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in His four-armed svarup to save an elephant from being killed by a crocodile. He cut off the crocodile’s head with His chakra.Tap to open in glossary → begin his letters.

They touched the feet of LakshmiLakshmiA devi (goddess) who is the wife of Vishnu. She is the devi of wealth. Therefore, money and gold is also called Lakshmi. She eternally remains in the sevã of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary →-Narayan, worshipped Sharada and Ganapati Raja, performed a fire-offering, and fed the Brahmins, to obtain a good beginning in learning.

So, over a period of days, he learned his lessons, most sacred and pure. Seeing his son's vast intelligence, DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → had him taught the two Vedas together with their auxiliary sciences.

He learned the scriptures with their true meaning, and became learned and a knower of Brahman. He was eloquent and, given his learning, would engage in discussion that none could match.

Wherever he posed his own questions, no one could give him an answer. He would go alone to bathe in the Sarayu, rising early in the Brahma-muhurta.

When he returned home after bathing, he would perform worship of Ramji, offering incense, lamps, flowers, fruit, and leaves, and reciting hymns of praise.

Then he would eat whatever remained of the offering, taking it with joy. He wore two garlands of tulsitulsi1) Basil. Variety of plant in the mint family, native to warm regions. Its aromatic leaves have inherent healing qualities and also is often used as seasoning. Used as a fragrant offering to Bhagvãn. The wood of the plant is also used in the making beads for mãlãs and kanthis. 2) Bhagvãn made a pati-vratã named Vrundã break her pati-vratã vow. So, she cursed Bhagvãn and turned Him into shãligrãm (stone), and He in turn cursedTap to open in glossary → at his throat, and applied the vertical tilak beautifully.

He circumambulated Ramkot and other sites with devotion, and lovingly walked their circuits. He visited the birthplace of Ram, Lakshman Ghat, and Ram Ghat -- the universal emperor visited each in turn.

He went with careful thought to Brahmakund, Swargadwari, and Janaki Ghat as well. Vidyakund, Suryakund, and the holy place of Bhadrasa and others --

he went daily to see the golden throne, and to the jeweled throne as well. He would go daily to Hanumangarhi, and constantly to Sugriva-tila.

He visited Jagannath at Kavadiya's shrine, and loved going near the renunciates there. He went daily to the temple of Ahalyabai to have darshandarshanSeeing. To see with admiration and devotion. To see Bhagvãn, a sat-purush, and murtis, with inner or outer vision, with the intention of receiving their grace and blessings. By doing darshan properly a bhakta develops affection for Bhagvãn, and Bhagvãn develops affection for that bhakta. [Sãrangpur – 2].Tap to open in glossary →.

He visited Dilayasinghganj, Rayganj, and looked upon Jesangpur, an abode of happiness. Wherever HariHariAn avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in His four-armed svarup to save an elephant from being killed by a crocodile. He cut off the crocodile’s head with His chakra.Tap to open in glossary →'s own devotees were, there Bhagwan would go.

Rising every morning, he visited every holy place, going with love to see each one. Standing before the images of Ramji, he would offer praise, standing on one foot.

He said, blessed, blessed, O Raghupati! Your greatness is immense; the mouth cannot fully tell your story. Blessed, blessed, O Lord of Janaki!

See the power of the dust of your feet -- it turned Ahalya, who had become stone, back into herself. Beholding it, every traveler on the road was filled with wonder. Blessed, blessed, O Lord of Janaki!

You carried Guha, the boatman king, across the ocean of rebirth, and redeemed the sinful Jayant. You gave refuge to the huntress woman Shabari (Bhilli). Blessed, blessed, O Lord of Janaki!

And at the moment of Jatayu's death, you, merciful one, gave him your own darshandarshanSeeing. To see with admiration and devotion. To see Bhagvãn, a sat-purush, and murtis, with inner or outer vision, with the intention of receiving their grace and blessings. By doing darshan properly a bhakta develops affection for Bhagvãn, and Bhagvãn develops affection for that bhakta. [Sãrangpur – 2].Tap to open in glossary →. You performed his last rites with your own hand. Blessed, blessed, O Lord of Janaki!

You saved Sugriva by making friendship with him, and for his sake you, HariHariAn avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in His four-armed svarup to save an elephant from being killed by a crocodile. He cut off the crocodile’s head with His chakra.Tap to open in glossary →, slew Vali. Showing mercy even in slaying him. Blessed, blessed, O Lord of Janaki!

And Hanuman remained near you, exceedingly capable and mighty. You made him your exclusive, ever-devoted companion. Blessed, blessed, O Lord of Janaki!

Knowing Vibhishana to be your own, O wielder of the bow Sharanga, you delivered him. You slew Ravana with your own hand and made Vibhishana king. Blessed, blessed, O Lord of Janaki!

Having performed such countless deeds, you returned once more to Ayodhya. The people sing your praise, victory, victory! Blessed, blessed, O Lord of Janaki!

He offered such praise before that very form, spending morning and afternoon there. He had no inclination at all toward eating and drinking, and held great love for renunciation and detachment.

So, having visited each shrine and taken darshandarshanSeeing. To see with admiration and devotion. To see Bhagvãn, a sat-purush, and murtis, with inner or outer vision, with the intention of receiving their grace and blessings. By doing darshan properly a bhakta develops affection for Bhagvãn, and Bhagvãn develops affection for that bhakta. [Sãrangpur – 2].Tap to open in glossary →, when he returned to the house, the life of the household, he would then study the Vedas and their six auxiliary sciences, along with the virtues of good conduct, contentment, and saintliness.

Seeing this, his father remembered the words spoken long before by Markandeya -- that all these virtues were indeed present in him.

Whoever takes refuge in such a HariHariAn avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in His four-armed svarup to save an elephant from being killed by a crocodile. He cut off the crocodile’s head with His chakra.Tap to open in glossary →, all their doubts are removed. Granting knowledge, devotion, and renunciation, he causes all other worldly attachments to be given up.

Even in his childhood, many people recognized him as a knower of the true self. They said to one another, why does he remain in this household at all?

He himself had such a resolve too, and awaited the time for his sacred thread. Even while living thus in the household, he remained untouched, like a lotus resting upon water.

His own father was a manmanMind. One of the four antah-karans, with the function of (pronounced mun) generating thoughts and desires, and governing all of the indriyas.Tap to open in glossary → of true virtue, and his mother too was a devoted and chaste woman. Seeing such truthful people, the residents of the city became his disciples.

He himself gave them instruction, and had them recite the name of KrishnaKrishna1) An avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in the svarup of a cowherd. This is considered to be a greater avatãr than the others, as Shree Krishna possessed all of the powers of Bhagvãn, whereas other avatãrs possessed less power. Shree Krishna conveyed the message of love and humanity to the world. Also, He recited the epic poem, the Bhagvad Geetã, to Arjun in which He stated: ‘Whenever dharma declines and adharma increases, I shall incarnate myself as a human to save the holy, to destroy the sin of the sinner, and to establish dharma. I come into being from yug to yug’. 2) In the Vachanãmrut, Shreeji Mahãrãj also uses the name “Shree Krishna” to describe Bhagvãn Purushottam Nãrãyan.Tap to open in glossary →. Endowed with knowledge, devotion, and renunciation, he gave teaching and liberated them.

He had them give up gambling, theft, liquor, and meat, and observe non-violence and the VishnuVishnuThe dev of sustenance. Part of the trimurti. He lives in Vaikunth with his wife Lakshmi.Tap to open in glossary →-vow. Whoever of the four castes came to take refuge in him, he had them hold to these disciplines in this way.

Seeing this, the young women too wished in their hearts to make him their guruguruA teacher. He will guide you on the path of kalyãn.Tap to open in glossary →. But DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →, considering this, did not let him make them his disciples.

He said, if I set this custom today, it shall continue as a tradition hereafter; there may be no concern about it now, but later it could lead to great corruption.

So he told all the young women: all of you, take BhaktiBhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → as your devotion-guide instead. This is the custom of the Uddhava tradition -- follow it with great devotion.

Then all the women gathered before BhaktiBhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary →, and heard and accepted the rules for women taught by DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →. Married and widowed women alike, hearing this dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →, all followed it.

By this the women became exceedingly pure, even those who had once been unchaste and ill-minded. So DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → and BhaktiBhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary →, having considered this well, gave teaching to the women, one by one.

And on the birthdays of the Lord, they held many celebrations. On Janmashtami and Ramnavami, they observed vows and celebrations for each.

When the fourth day of the bright half of Bhadrapad came, they worshipped Ganapati with great devotion. When the fourteenth day of the dark half of Ashvin came, they worshipped Hanuman with joy.

Holding to their disciplines, they listened to sacred stories daily, with great love for the deeds of HariHariAn avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in His four-armed svarup to save an elephant from being killed by a crocodile. He cut off the crocodile’s head with His chakra.Tap to open in glossary →. And whoever came to study near them, he had them study the Vedas.

With love he told them of HariHariAn avatãr of Bhagvãn. He incarnated in His four-armed svarup to save an elephant from being killed by a crocodile. He cut off the crocodile’s head with His chakra.Tap to open in glossary →, and had them follow and uphold fine dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →. Having conquered the six inner enemies himself, he made his followers fearless in the same way.

Such were the truthful BhaktiBhaktiDevotion to Bhagvãn. One of the four attributes of ekãntik dharma. There are nine types of bhakti:Tap to open in glossary → and DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →, in whose home the Supreme Brahman himself dwelt. That good qualities should come and abide there is no wonder that words can fully express.

Thus ends the twenty-first chapter, in the Bhaktachintamani composed by the disciple Nishkulanand MuniMuniSãdhu.Tap to open in glossary → of Shri Sahajanand Swami, propagator of the path of Ekantik DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →.