Bhaktachintamani Prakaran 71

Then all the sadhus set out together, talking again of the Beloved.

One said, listen, fellow sadhus, how playfully Natvar Nath played!

One said, listen, sadhus, how he took up the shield while playing!

One said, listen, sadhus, how he threw the color!

One said, listen, sage, how splendid Maharaj looked!

One said, look, remember, how he sprayed the syringe!

One said, the charming, playful Beloved, how he flung the gulal!

Thus they spoke among themselves, of how the color had drenched everything.

Moving among the rows taking sweets, forcing them upon those who said no.

One said, listen, king of sages, the Beloved came in a truly joyous mood.

Today the compassionate one performed such divine play as had never been done at any time before.

He has taken many incarnations before, to redeem many souls, but this is the same 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 → — yet such divine play he had never performed before.

Today he has given the sadhus such happiness that words cannot describe.

So our fortune is great; Maharaj held nothing back today.

Thus talking, the assembly of sadhus went on to different lands and regions.

The sadhus wandered, talking, and thus some days passed.

Then Janmashtami arrived, and the sadhus, having roamed, gathered in Charotar.

All waited eagerly at Vartal, saying, the Beloved darling will come here.

Thus all waited, saying, our youthful Lord has invited us.

While waiting, the Beloved arrived, and all the sadhus were called there.

The sadhus came and touched the Lord's feet, and gazing on Nath could not be satisfied.

He gave 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 → and was pleased, removing the sorrows of his own devotees.

The Immortal One satsat1) True. Real. 2) Permanent, imperishable and unchanging. Is unbound by the past, the present, and the future.Tap to open in glossary → on a high seat, and all the devotees looked upon him.

At that time someone brought perfume to anoint the Beloved.

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 → himself took it in hand and anointed the noses of the sadhus with it.

Having anointed their noses, Nath spoke: 'Listen, all of you.

Others may become renunciants of ash and dust, but the water of your face (your dignity) shall remain.'

Saying this he satsat1) True. Real. 2) Permanent, imperishable and unchanging. Is unbound by the past, the present, and the future.Tap to open in glossary → on his seat, and hearing it the sadhus became delighted.

Then the sadhus sangsangCompany. Association. (pronounced sung)Tap to open in glossary → his praises, and hearing them Bhagwan was pleased.

He gave from his own head a golden headband, with a shining saffron color.

Then a devotee, with love, offered a cap of ketaki flowers.

This 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 → took in his own hand and placed on Muktanandji's head.

To another sage nearby, he gave a garland of flowers.

Then satsangis came from Surat, bringing worship offerings for the Lord.

Garlands, gold bracelets, arm ornaments, rings, and earrings.

Waist chains and girdles, garlands and amulets, anklets.

Shawls, wraps, and a brocade robe, a sash, a turban-cloth, and a golden turban.

Incense, lamps, aloewood, arti, flowers, saffron, camphor sticks — with such many offerings, they worshipped the support of life with love.

Having worshipped, they joined their hands, and the devotees sangsangCompany. Association. (pronounced sung)Tap to open in glossary → songs of victory.

Then a fine swing was arranged, and the Beloved swung in the garden.

The dark one shone in a fresh hue, the Beloved keeping rhythm with clapping.

He made graceful gestures with his hands, delighting the minds of the devotees.

Then the Beloved stood up, and holding the pillar gave the swing a push.

The swing swayed, 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 → swung, and the devotees cried victory, victory.

Thus he performed boundless divine play, and men and women took happiness in watching.

Then before the Beloved, the devotees danced and were pleased.

Then, greatly pleased, the King met with the assembly of sadhus.

Then the sadhus, having ground sandalwood, came together to worship the Lord.

With love they worshipped the support of life, placing garlands of flowers around his neck.

They anointed both his feet with sandalwood, which the devotees then pressed to their hearts.

Exceedingly joyful, the color of playfulness dwelt in everyone's heart.

Then it was time for the row of eating, and the sadhus satsat1) True. Real. 2) Permanent, imperishable and unchanging. Is unbound by the past, the present, and the future.Tap to open in glossary → down — how shall I describe their splendor?

It seemed like a row of swans sitting, each shining more than the other.

Then Maharaj took sweets and came himself to serve.

As Jivan feeds the devotees, bringing food of many kinds, he gives such boundless happiness — how can it be told?

Trays had been prepared by the devotees, which the sadhus and the compassionate one ate.

Having eaten, the sadhus satsat1) True. Real. 2) Permanent, imperishable and unchanging. Is unbound by the past, the present, and the future.Tap to open in glossary → together, and the assembly of sadhus shone beautifully.

Then Nath said: 'Brave sadhus, who among you is complete in the most difficult vow?

Be like this Atmanand — speak, king of sages.'

Then the sadhus rose, joining their hands: 'As you say, Nath, so shall we do.

If you say, we shall not blink our eyes; if you say, we shall not eat with our stomachs empty of knowledge.

If you say, we shall abandon the company of clothing, remain uncovered in the snow.

If you say, we shall give up drinking water, remain silent and not speak.

If you say, we shall sit in a fixed posture, without tending to this body at all.

Such is our resolve in mind; whatever you say can be done.'

Hearing the sadhus speak thus, the Lord was pleased.

Nath said: 'Listen, brave sadhus, this indeed seems necessary to us.

What you have said is all true, and there is nothing lacking in the rest either.

Each of you is greater than the other; this we truly understand.

But let me tell you one thing, accept it: we are not the body, but the soul.

Consider your form to be of the nature of consciousness, and the body, which is of the nature of suffering, as separate from that.'

Having spoken thus to the sadhus, hearing it the sadhus became delighted.

Nath said: 'Listen, all of you, the day of the festival is complete.

All of you go now, sadhus; from here we shall all depart.'

Saying this, Bhagwan set out, and the sadhus, gazing upon him, were moved within.

He gave happiness to Jivan's devotees on the eighth day of the dark half of ShravanShravan1) To listen to talks of Bhagvãn through the ears. 2) The term also means the initial intake of gnãn from any of the outer indriyas. In this sense, darshan, intake of gnãn through the eyes, is also considered a form of shravan. However, the intake of gnãn through the process of shravan (listening) must be strengthened with manan (thinking) and nididhyãs (remember) if it is to lead to the sãkshãtkãr (realisation) of that gnãn.Tap to open in glossary →.

That day the Beloved held the festival, celebrated at Vartal in youthful joy.

Thus, in the Bhaktachintamani composed by Nishkulanand MuniMuniSãdhu.Tap to open in glossary →, disciple of Shri Sahajanand Swami, propagator of the glorious Ekantik DharmaDharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary →, in the account of Shri Narayan — the chapter on 'the Janmashtami festival held' — the seventy-first chapter.