Bhaktachintamani Prakaran 7

Hearing this, the hero Nar reflected within himself: to remove this sin I must certainly take incarnation.

O sages, be at peace -- I shall overthrow unrighteousness, I shall make all the saints happy; set aside your grief.

So saying, the hero Nar satsat1) True. Real. 2) Permanent, imperishable and unchanging. Is unbound by the past, the present, and the future.Tap to open in glossary → in that hermitage; at that very moment, MurtiMurti1) Sacred idol of Bhagvãn used to offer worship. There are eight types of murtis that can be worshipped: stone, wood, metal, earth, engraved or drawn, sand, gems, and mental. 2) The form of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → (the divine mother) and DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → arrived there from their own abode.

Seeing them, all the sages, and Narayan and Nar, rose; they bowed full-length and offered praise with joined hands.

Seeing DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → and MurtiMurti1) Sacred idol of Bhagvãn used to offer worship. There are eight types of murtis that can be worshipped: stone, wood, metal, earth, engraved or drawn, sand, gems, and mental. 2) The form of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary →, all were filled with joy; their pure, peaceful forms had the radiance of the autumn full moon.

A garland of lotus and 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 the throat, a great crown of golden matted locks, eyes like two fresh lotuses, exceedingly peaceful and joy-giving,

they wore white garments that adorned their forms, delighting the minds of all who saw them; beautiful lines showed on their two hands, and the Lord wore a white sacred thread.

Such was the supremely holy DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →, whom the sages praised: blessed is your greatness, O DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →, your good fame spreads through all the worlds.

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 →, Hara, and Brahma cherish you in their minds; you are said to be the ornament of them all. All the gods, and IndraIndraThe king of the devs. He resides in Svarg-Lok.Tap to open in glossary →, ManuManuManu is responsible for overseeing the first stages of all life forms in the new cycle of creation and he lives for the entire cycle. Manu and his wife become the first parents for each cycle (Adam and Eve). In one day of Brahmã, fourteen Manus reign and die. The duration of the reign of one Manu is 306,720,000 human years, and is called a manvantar. Fourteen Manus are created and destroyed during one day of Brahmã.Tap to open in glossary →, Kashyapa, the sun and moon --

none can abandon you; you are dear to all sages, dear to me. Shesha, Sharada, and Ganapati -- you are exceedingly dear to them all.

Wind, fire, and water do not transgress your bounds; the seven chaste and virtuous wives of the sages, and Sanaka and the others, serve you.

Yogis, ascetics, and those who practice austerity -- all worship you; householders, forest-dwellers, renunciates, and celibate students all adore you.

Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas worship you, nor do the Shudras abandon you; beasts, birds, insects, men and women -- all remain upheld by you.

The four Vedas bow to you, and the six scriptures and eighteen Puranas; none can overthrow you, so immense is your power.

Whoever forsakes you to pursue any goal, that undertaking is bound to fail; whoever forsakes you to worship any god, that worship bears no fruit.

Even if one worships Bhagwan while forsaking you, still that much devotion should be known to be futile; such is your great honor, your rule prevails in every world.

All perform your worship for the sake of pleasing the Lord; and in this world and the next, all serve you always for the sake of happiness.

Whoever has attained happiness, or ever shall, it is certainly never without dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →; so what more can be said with the mouth of praise -- there is none equal to you in the three worlds.

Having offered such abundant praise, they all satsat1) True. Real. 2) Permanent, imperishable and unchanging. Is unbound by the past, the present, and the future.Tap to open in glossary → down upon their seats; all turned their gaze toward Narayan, and all fixed the movement of their minds upon him.

MurtiMurti1) Sacred idol of Bhagvãn used to offer worship. There are eight types of murtis that can be worshipped: stone, wood, metal, earth, engraved or drawn, sand, gems, and mental. 2) The form of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary →, DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →, and the sages Nar and Narayan -- all eyes were turned toward the Lord; then Narayan, with lotus-petal eyes, spoke words sweet as nectar.

Welcome, my father; welcome, mother MurtiMurti1) Sacred idol of Bhagvãn used to offer worship. There are eight types of murtis that can be worshipped: stone, wood, metal, earth, engraved or drawn, sand, gems, and mental. 2) The form of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary →; this hermitage has become sacred today, for you, the very form of DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →, have come.

But these sages here have also come together; hear their news. These merciful ones travel through heaven, the mortal world, and the netherworld.

Just now they have come from Bharatkhand, bringing news of all its people; they say unrighteousness has grown greatly, and the castes and stages of life have become corrupted.

Kings and subjects alike, forsaking the true way, act unjustly for their own gain; renunciates and householders, forsaking their own dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →, commit wrongful acts for the sake of sensual pleasure.

Men and women are boundlessly lustful, committing forbidden acts even within their own lineage; none has any inclination toward dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → -- such is the news these sages have brought.

As the Lord spoke thus, all listened with a single mind; their ears and eyes turned nowhere else, all remained absorbed in the Lord alone.

At that very moment, from Kailash, the wrathful and ill-tempered sage Durvasa arrived; no one was aware of him, and he stood there for a moment.

Then Durvasa grew greatly displeased that he had received no honor of his own; he thought within his heart: all of these seem full of pride.

See what arrogance has arisen here -- so saying, he grew exceedingly angry; a portion of RudraRudraA svarup of Shiv. The dev of the ahankãr.Tap to open in glossary →'s own fierce wrath, he would accept no counsel from anyone once inflamed.

You are tamasic, I am wrathful, ever consumed with anger, without forgiveness, boundlessly agitated, without peace, unable to bear the slightest thing.

Such was the terrible Durvasa; he spoke harsh words of anger. Listen, all, to what Durvasa said.

His eyes reddened with rage, his brows and forehead knit, his body trembling, his lips quivering, his fearsome wrath rising like the fire of doomsday.

Then he spoke to all of them thus: how can you be called followers of dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →? You are all intoxicated with pride, you show respect to none.

You consider me inferior to all, and hold everyone else in low regard; such is your great arrogance -- now see its fruit.

I, Durvasa, have come from far away, and no honor has been shown to me -- consider this in your hearts; seeing this, should I bring forgiveness into my heart? I am not known as one of peace.

At the mere sound of my name, peace flees; forgiveness does not come near me. Such a sage am I, Durvasa -- now I give you your punishment.

This is a meritorious and holy land, served by the gods and great sages; therefore, fall at once and be born as children in the houses of men.

Take on human bodies; do not do this again. There, where unrighteousness and the darkness of Kali reign, where demons dwell in abundance --

there you shall suffer greatly, this is the fruit of my insult; you shall be dishonored by demons. Having pronounced this curse, he said no more.

Hearing such a great uproar, Narayan and DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → and MurtiMurti1) Sacred idol of Bhagvãn used to offer worship. There are eight types of murtis that can be worshipped: stone, wood, metal, earth, engraved or drawn, sand, gems, and mental. 2) The form of Bhagvãn.Tap to open in glossary → grew fearful; the sages and Uddhava, all frightened, bowed their heads on seeing Durvasa.

Rising at once from their seats, they bowed to him repeatedly, and with great respect made entreaty to pacify him.

Yet the more they tried, the greater his anger grew; his fury would not subside. Then DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →, bowing his head, spoke: great sage, do not be so wrathful.

If a sage's own honor has truly been wronged, then to give punishment is not blameworthy; but, O sage, consider -- a curse should not be given without fault.

We were listening to all that was being said, as Narayan himself was speaking; we all satsat1) True. Real. 2) Permanent, imperishable and unchanging. Is unbound by the past, the present, and the future.Tap to open in glossary → gazing at him, our minds absorbed in the Lord.

It was at that very moment that you arrived, and so no honor was shown -- for that, please forgive the offense; do not, O great one, hold anger in your heart.

The heart of a sage or a Brahmin should ever be soft as fresh butter; therefore, merciful one, show mercy -- lift this curse and grant us peace.

So spoke DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →, of pure understanding, making such earnest entreaty; then Durvasa spoke: do not think my anger fleeting.

Do not imagine that having given the curse I shall now withdraw it; but you are devoted and truly humble.

Seeing this, mercy arises in me; so listen, DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →, to what I say. You shall take birth in the eastern land, certainly within a Brahmin family.

You two, 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 →, shall become husband and wife; a son shall be born to you, the very Lord of Badri (Swaminarayan) himself.

Then the pain of this curse shall be relieved, and peace and happiness shall return to your hearts, and afterward you shall attain the divine state again. So he spoke to 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 →.

Then he said to the sages and Uddhava: you too shall take birth among the Brahmins. Wherever you may be, you shall be drawn from there and shall run to the Lord's side.

You shall become the companions of the hero Nar, and shall be released at once from my curse; you shall regain your divine state, and I tell you, you shall attain happiness swiftly.

So saying, the great sage Durvasa departed and entered Kailash once more; having done this deed, he did not withdraw the curse.

All accepted the curse upon their heads, for the great do not hold anger even then.

Thus ends the seventh chapter, named 'The Curse of Durvasa,' 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 →.