Bhaktachintamani Prakaran 29

Hear now the story that followed, all you of good understanding. I shall describe how the Lord's renunciation and detachment were.

Even by mistake, he never once regarded his own body as his own. His body remained by God's will, but he himself gave it no care.

Then the Lord was sitting on the bank of the deep Ganga; rising from there, he crossed its unfathomable waters.

To travel toward the north, with great joy in his heart, past streams, mountains, and waterfalls, Ghanshyam, the source of bliss, walked on.

The merciful one walked toward the north, entirely fearless. Great mountains stood on either side, seeming to touch the very sky.

Their peaks leaned toward one another, and many terrifying waterfalls poured down. Streams flowed with abundant water, making an unceasing roar.

As the mountains leaned toward each other, so too did the trees bend over, forming fearsome overhanging cliffs, through which the merciful one walked on.

Shyam, the very soul of all beings, walked on toward a river ahead. There an immovable mountain blocked his path, from whose cave water flowed.

A powerful current rushed forth, making a ceaseless roar. There was no way to pass on any of the three sides - yet how could one so detached turn back?

Then Ghanshyam satsat1) True. Real. 2) Permanent, imperishable and unchanging. Is unbound by the past, the present, and the future.Tap to open in glossary → there, as the day came to its end at that place. Looking back the way he had come, he saw an extraordinary person there.

Without being asked, that person spoke: "Where are you going, O Father of the Universe?" Then 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 → replied: "I must go northward.

But who are you, merciful one, arriving at just this moment?" Then he said: "Listen, O Lord - I am the embodiment of the Himalaya mountain."

Saying this, he showed the way: "Enter into this cave, O king of ascetics; going through it, you will find the way." Saying this, the mountain-spirit vanished from sight.

Then the imperishable one walked on into it, he who held no attachment to the body. He entered the dark, dreadful cave, walking against the current of water flowing toward him.

Walking on and on, a watch of time passed - how could anyone else's heart remain steady in such a place? Within dwelt great serpents, and crabs and turtles made their homes there.

Fish, crocodiles, and frogs filled it, yet he walked through it without the slightest fear. Then he reached its end, and emerged from the dreadful cave's mouth.

There he came upon a deep chasm, unfathomable, teeming with creatures. Three days passed there, with no fruit or flower found at all.

He remained there that night, hungry - what can be said of such patience! He slept there fearlessly through the night, and the lotus-eyed one awoke at dawn.

He bathed, performed his prayers, and then found fruit and flowers, and ate. Then he walked on a little further from there, and found signs of a path.

He then followed that path, and some days passed as he traveled. Then he came to the sacred hermitage of Pulaha, son of Brahma.

It is a place of great wonder; whoever serves there attains happiness. The fruits of austerity are gained there quickly, the very place where Bharat once performed his tapas long ago.

It is fit to be served by those who seek liberation, where 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 → himself eternally dwells. The ChakraChakra1) A razor-bladed disc. One of Bhagvãn’s weapons. Also called sudarshan chakra. 2) Wheel. According to yogic practices, chakras are centres of spiritual power and consciousness located within the inner body. The six chakras are: ãgnã, vishuddh, anãhat, manipur, svãdhisthãn, ãdhãr. Each chakra has its corresponding location and dev.Tap to open in glossary → River flows all around it, and there the youthful Dharmakumar (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 →) bathed.

He performed the rites there - recitation and worship - and had the 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 → of Muktinath. Then, at the very place where Bharat had performed his austerities, he too went and satsat1) True. Real. 2) Permanent, imperishable and unchanging. Is unbound by the past, the present, and the future.Tap to open in glossary →.

He took up austerity in the same manner, reciting the same prayers daily as Bharat had done. Knowing that Bharat had taken the form of a deer there (out of attachment), he himself remained free of all desire.

Thus he gave up all company completely; then, reflecting within himself, he recalled the story of Puranjan, and abandoned even attachment to the intellect, setting it aside.

He held to the pure form of the Self as his own true nature. Then, raising both arms upward, he recited the Gayatri 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 → daily.

He held meditation upon Surya Narayan (the sun god), bathing daily in the Gandaki river. He delighted in serving Muktinath, eating whatever fruit or flower he found.

Beholding him, the ascetics dwelling there were struck with wonder in their minds. They said: "This must be some manifestation of grace, or perhaps the sage Dhruva has again undertaken austerities,

or perhaps it is Swami Kartik, or Sanatkumar, or the wise Sanaka and his brothers, or truly Dattatreya himself,

or Shiva, or the sage Narayana himself - for none but these could perform such austerity. See how severely he practices penance, yet his resolve never weakens.

Behold his happiness and radiance, O lord of sages - it is like the full moon itself. Never before have we beheld such a one, even in the world of Brahma's creation, but today we see him with our own eyes.

Such great austerity is beyond ordinary humans to perform, yet he has undertaken it with such joy. Compared to his austerity, our own seems like mere child's play.

Though he appears a mere child, he is truly great - we are all struck with wonder beholding him." So the sages spoke among themselves, seeing the Lord's austerity.

Seeing such austerity, others became sorrowful at the Lord's suffering. 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 →, having taken on divine bodies, remained near him always out of love.

Exceedingly emaciated, he stood on one leg, unable even to see clearly with his eyes. Thinking he might stumble and fall, they would cry out and offer him their hands.

Such was their great love for 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 → that the divine couple remained by his side always. His body had grown so weak it was unbearable to behold - no blood or vitality remained in his form.

Every vein in his body stood out visible; his bones showed through, with no flesh to be seen, only skin clinging to them.

Beholding his body, all who saw it said it scarcely seemed a body at all. In such a state he undertook this austerity, reciting the Gayatri 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 → with his lips,

holding meditation upon the sun, considering it as God himself with devotion. He performed such austerity constantly, to give instruction to ascetics.

Thus he performed austerity for four months, enduring the heavy downpour of the monsoon rains. Through it he performed great worship of Surya Narayan.

As he continued thus, the Ekadashi named Prabodhini (the eleventh day marking VishnuVishnuThe dev of sustenance. Part of the trimurti. He lives in Vaikunth with his wife Lakshmi.Tap to open in glossary →'s awakening) arrived. Then, with great joy, he kept an all-night vigil.

Then, on that very night, Surya Narayan himself granted him a vision there. His form was exceedingly beautiful, radiant in every limb beyond compare.

Two lotus-like hands he held, a gem-studded crown upon his head. Golden bracelets adorned his hands, and armlets bound upon both his arms.

Fine earrings shone upon his ears, and he was a mass of light upon light. His face shone with a smile, his eyes filled with compassion.

Thus did Surya grant him his vision, appearing before him with great favor. Beholding him, 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 → rose at once and offered full prostration with devotion.

The ascetic's voice choked with emotion; in his love he forgot his own bodily suffering. Tears filled his eyes, his body's hairs stood on end, and with folded hands he offered praise:

"You are a mass of radiance, O sun; by your own light you illumine the whole universe. Taking incarnation in the house of Kashyap, to you, such as you are, I bow.

By your rising, merciful one, the whole world finds happiness; yet the wicked suffer greatly by it - to you, such as you are, I bow.

By your rising, all beings reckon the passage of time; without you, nothing could be determined with certainty - to you, such as you are, I bow.

By your rising, you yourself have set the measure for all living beings, gods, demons, and men and women alike - to you, such as you are, I bow.

You, Lord, are a manifest deity; all people know this secret truth - your glory is hidden from no one - to you, such as you are, I bow."

Having offered such praise with folded hands, Surya spoke with favor: "Ask of me now, 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 →, whatever you wish." Then 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 → said, "I ask this, O Lord:

protect me from desire, anger, hypocrisy, greed, delusion, and the illusion of the senses and their like, that I may remain a steadfast, lifelong celibate (naishthik brahmachari).

And further, whenever I remember you, may your 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 → be granted to me. This alone is the boon I ask of you; I ask for no worldly, illusory pleasure."

Then Surya, the giver of happiness, said: "Through you my own greatness is magnified; such radiance and glory as I have, you yourself know it well.

We are not equal in power to you, but whatever you have asked shall come to pass." Having granted 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 → this boon, he then vanished from sight.

Then, having completed his austerity, he was praised on all sides for it. He remained there until the twelfth day (dwadashi), and then resolved to travel onward.

Thus does the Lord of many names perform such deeds - he who is the very abode of all abodes, in whose command are Brahma, Ishwar, VishnuVishnuThe dev of sustenance. Part of the trimurti. He lives in Vaikunth with his wife Lakshmi.Tap to open in glossary →, the wise gods, Sharada (Saraswati), and Shesha,

in whose command are Maya and Time, and all the worlds and their guardians, in whose command are wind and sky, and also, it is said, fire, water, and earth -

the controller and master of all these, the one of many names, performs such deeds. For this very purpose he has taken a human form; thus does the king of ascetics conduct himself.

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-ninth chapter, named "The Account 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 →'s Austerity (Tapascharya)."