Bhaktachintamani Prakaran 23

The festival of the sacred thread was thus completed, beautifully and well. Now hear attentively the story that follows.

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 → observed all the disciplines that Dharmadev, his guruguruA teacher. He will guide you on the path of kalyãn.Tap to open in glossary →, had taught him. Out of regard for his mother and father, he served them in many ways.

But within, an unbroken resolve remained: to renounce the household. "When shall I leave this home? When shall I take to the forest path?

The purpose for which I have taken this incarnation - that I shall surely accomplish. I shall establish dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → and overturn adharmaadharmaUnrighteousness. Immorality. Sin. The opposite of dharma, which causes dharma to decline.Tap to open in glossary →" - so the Lord resolved.

"There are countless demons in the world who walk the path of sin. I shall delude them and destroy them, and uphold dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → upon the earth.

I shall keep men and women in pure dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → - this is the very purpose of this incarnation. But if I renounce this home now, my mother and father, out of their love for me, would die of grief.

There is also a brahmin's curse upon them, from which this couple must first be released. Only when that is fulfilled shall I certainly renounce the home" - this was his hidden inner resolve.

Then, taking his father as teacher, 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 → studied and learned the third Veda. Being of the highest intelligence, the merciful Lord, whatever he learned, he learned in the shortest time.

Seeing this, everyone was astonished, filled with wonder, saying, "Blessed, blessed!" Then whatever Dharmadev himself had studied, all of it he taught to 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 → -

the Vedas, the scriptures, poetry, the Puranas, the great commentaries - all these the wise one learned. Then Dharmadev, being delighted, spoke of it to Ramprataap:

"Listen, my eldest, fortunate son - this one will become exceedingly renounced. See from today the signs of it - there is no attachment to anything in him.

His mind is not set on food and drink; he does not desire clothes or ornaments. Honor, status, 'mine' and 'yours' - none of this seems to appeal to him.

Joy, sorrow, loss, gain, the prosperity of the household - none of it pleases him. He is exceedingly detached; he does not concern himself with his own home.

Great renunciation seems to please him in his very being - so it appears to my mind. So the household duties will not be managed by him; you must take up the burden of the household.

He will ask nothing of you, for his mind is not set on the household at all. He will not even ask for food or drink, so deep is his detachment and dispassion."

Thus the father spoke of his eldest and most excellent son, and Ramprataap accepted these words. Then the father, his mind at peace, reflected within himself:

"Now this body has grown old, so I shall renounce attachment to all. Now I shall take refuge in Sankhya-yoga, and meditate upon Shri 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 →, the Lord."

But since 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 → was dear to him, he wished, out of love, to give him counsel. "Listen, my son 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 →, to my words - they are for your benefit and are supremely good.

I speak for your welfare, so please heed my words. I say: never abandon your own dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →, devotion, and detachment.

If ever you become weary of household life, go to Ramanand Swami. The greatness of Ramanand Swami cannot be told fully by my tongue, however much I say.

He dwells in the Saurashtra region, and gives spiritual instruction to living beings. Go slowly, asking the way, crossing forests and river fords."

Hearing these words of his father, 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 → inwardly noted every sign. He himself, being accomplished in learning, had by his qualities become the equal of his father.

He also listened to all the scriptures from his father's own mouth, with joy and ease. Listening again and again, he grasped their essence, discerning milk from water with certainty.

Whatever excellent essence he drew out from them, all of it was for the happiness of every soul. He sought out the essence of the Shrimad Bhagavatam Purana with wisdom,

and drew out the second and fifth cantos, which dispel sorrow - the fifth canto being ever a source of happiness, and the other, the tenth canto, which contains the life and deeds of Shri 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 →.

He named this the "Bhagavat Saar" (Essence of the Bhagavat), and wrote it separately with certainty. He likewise sought the essence of the Mahabharata, and wrote it down with careful thought.

He wrote out the Bhagavad Gita, the remover of worldly fear, with careful consideration; he wrote the VishnuVishnuThe dev of sustenance. Part of the trimurti. He lives in Vaikunth with his wife Lakshmi.Tap to open in glossary → Sahasranama, a source of happiness, and the excellent moral counsel of Vidura.

Thus much he drew out from the Mahabharata as its essence. He also, with love, wrote out the essence of the DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → Shastras -

the excellent Yajnavalkya Smriti he too wrote out thoughtfully. This is the essence of the DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → Shastra, a source of great happiness for all.

He wrote out beautifully the essence of the Skanda Purana, having sought it out - the Vasudeva Mahatmya, which the Lord wrote for the welfare of all people.

This is the essence of the Skanda Purana, sought and written wisely. Thus whatever substance lay in these four great texts, he extracted that very essence.

He then had it copied into a booklet, seeking out and preparing it beautifully and well, and brought it himself to his father. His father examined it closely,

and said, "This is not the intelligence of an ordinary human," praising it greatly. "Blessed, blessed, my son of great wisdom - you surpass all others by far."

Having said this, when he reflected further, he recalled the earlier matter of what Markandeya had said. "All that Markandeya told me has now come to pass; I have understood it fully today.

And I recall as well the matter of Vrindavan, which I remember directly myself. All the signs have come together, and I have recognized my son as Shyam himself (the dark Lord)."

"So this is no wonder at all," he thought within his mind. Then, showing him great honor, he praised the essence of all four scriptures.

Hearing what his father said, he kept these writings by himself. The essence of the DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → Shastra and the Skanda Purana, being of established proof,

along with the essence of the Bharata and the essence of the Bhagavat - he read and heard these constantly, without fail. "Whoever holds love for Shri 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 → through these will gain firm resolve, day after day."

Furthermore, the father said, "Devotion joined with scriptural knowledge should be performed toward 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 →. Listen, O wise one, to the mantramantra1) A repeated word or phrase. 2) A sacred verbal phrase repeated in prayer, or meditation, such as ‘Swãminãrãyan’. Wicked people use mantras to cast evil curses.Tap to open in glossary → I give you - the eight-syllabled mantramantra1) A repeated word or phrase. 2) A sacred verbal phrase repeated in prayer, or meditation, such as ‘Swãminãrãyan’. Wicked people use mantras to cast evil curses.Tap to open in glossary →, which is supremely auspicious."

He also gave him, with affection, the mantramantra1) A repeated word or phrase. 2) A sacred verbal phrase repeated in prayer, or meditation, such as ‘Swãminãrãyan’. Wicked people use mantras to cast evil curses.Tap to open in glossary → of three kinds, saying, "This mantramantra1) A repeated word or phrase. 2) A sacred verbal phrase repeated in prayer, or meditation, such as ‘Swãminãrãyan’. Wicked people use mantras to cast evil curses.Tap to open in glossary → is dear to me; I give it to you with great love.

Recite it and worship with it daily; keep to your own dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → in the proper way." Thus his father gave him this counsel, and 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 → began to conduct himself accordingly.

Eleven years had passed since his birth, when countless demons came there - exceedingly dark and cruel, filled utterly with wrath.

With great fangs and hair upon their heads, tawny, long, huge, and terrifying, with red eyes and weapons in hand, they came to where the Lord satsat1) True. Real. 2) Permanent, imperishable and unchanging. Is unbound by the past, the present, and the future.Tap to open in glossary →.

Dressed in the guise of Vaishnavas, yet truly demons, their minds full of deceit and illusion - they came and raised their weapons, the wicked ones. Then Nilkanth (the blue-throated Lord) cast his gaze upon them.

They fell into mutual delusion and, fighting among themselves, perished. The demons died, and the burden was lifted. Then the Lord reflected:

"There will be many regions where people are averse to dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →, causing suffering to the sages. So I shall lift this burden from all - this is the very purpose of this incarnation.

So when shall I leave this home? When shall I go forth and seek out every land? When shall I delude the sinners, so that they perish fighting among themselves in their delusion?"

Thus in the Bhaktachintamani, composed by Nishkulanand MuniMuniSãdhu.Tap to open in glossary →, disciple of Shri Sahajanand Swami, the establisher of the exclusive path of devotion, ends the twenty-third chapter, named "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 →."