Bhaktachintamani Prakaran 79

The Beloved, the knower of all hearts, is the master whom everyone seeks.

Knowing the devotees' longing, wise Shyam set out from Gadhada.

He himself rode on horseback, with thousands upon thousands of companions along.

They too made ready their horses, and the horses shone exceedingly.

Dark, madder-red, blue, and multicolored, deep red, intoxicated, and fiery-colored horses.

Hard-bodied, harnessed, dun-colored, beautiful; eager, swift, and restless ones.

Also many fine mares, each more resplendent than the other.

Deer-colored, agate-colored, lightning-quick, kapikyadi, saffron, and light-colored ones.

Bright, fortunate, beloved, red ones; swift bori, bodli, and moon-marked ones.

Fish-marked, fish-colored, quick red ones, winged, well-formed, horned ones (fanciful equine names).

Sharp, well-trained ones, of known lineage, garlanded and adorned ones.

Beautiful and tasseled ones, and other fine, royal-bred mares.

The Kathi warriors made their steeds ready, arranging chain-harnesses and saddles.

Maharaj mounted his mare Mankhi, upon which golden trappings were arranged.

A great procession of horses set out, Shyam with his brave companions.

Along the way many villages came, and the people had 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 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 →.

Some said, 'Stay here, King'; some said, 'Eat and then go, Maharaj.'

Some said, 'Stay a while, we are ready to depart with you.'

Thus people came in the way, and the Beloved answered them.

He said, 'Come along behind us, we are in haste today.'

Saying this, he made his mare, the fine dark Mankhi, run.

It seemed as though an arrow shot from a bow, or a swift falling star in the sky.

It seemed as if a bird had flown on wings, faster than a cannonball's speed.

All the companions could only watch, none could keep pace with him.

Then, from behind, they too gave chase, driving their horses hard side by side.

Their tassels fluttered atop their great turbans, appearing like the wings of immortals.

Their bodies were drenched with sweat, their horses breathless with exertion.

Then they reached near Bhagwan, seeing the Immortal One under a mango tree.

One grasped the mane, another grasped a mango branch.

Seeing them, 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 → laughed and said, 'Why did you stay behind?'

Then the companions spoke, joining their hands: 'Nath, we grew tired from running, running, but none of us could keep pace, so we fell behind.' 'If you ride like this, Nath, then we cannot keep up with you at all.'

Saying this, they joined the group again, and then the wise one set out with his companions.

Leaving Bhadra, coming to Bhogvati, from there they crossed the Sabarmati.

Sannyasis and sadhus were with him, Brahmacharis and countless devotees.

From there the darling Beloved set out, and the Beloved arrived at Vartal.

The satsangis came to know of it, and all the wise ones came out in welcome procession.

Cymbals, mridangas, gongs, and kettle-horns, sweet-sounding shehnais resounding.

War-horns and drums and kettledrums, singing and talking, all came to welcome him.

The young, youthful, and elderly all came and bowed low at his feet.

Then they bowed at the sadhus' feet, and greeted each other in return.

Brothers met all their brothers, sisters met all their sisters.

Then, singing and talking, they came into the village, and beautiful Shyam spoke. 'The village has a great crowd; the streets are dense with people.

Let us go to the east of the town,' said the Lord of the world to the devotees.

By the shaded banks of trees and lakes, forests of various kinds shone.

The shade was very deep and dense there, and all the sadhus encamped there.

There was a very large tamarind tree there, with especially dense, fine shade.

There the Immortal One encamped, and all the devotees satsat1) True. Real. 2) Permanent, imperishable and unchanging. Is unbound by the past, the present, and the future.Tap to open in glossary → near him.

Then the support of life-breath spoke: 'Listen, all men and women.

Today is the tenth day (Dashami); all of you eat your meal.'

Thus the Beloved gave this instruction, and all the devotees heard and accepted it.

A devotee Brahmin woman, Gangabai, who had great love for Bhagwan, skillfully prepared the meal, cooking according to his wishes.

Filling a tray with food and dishes, she brought it to where the compassionate one satsat1) True. Real. 2) Permanent, imperishable and unchanging. Is unbound by the past, the present, and the future.Tap to open in glossary →.

Then Jivan, to eat, rose smiling and Maharaj ate with devotion, then gave the devotees the rinsing water (achman).

He gave prasad to his own devotees, then the Beloved came to his seat.

A great bright torch burned, and the Beloved satsat1) True. Real. 2) Permanent, imperishable and unchanging. Is unbound by the past, the present, and the future.Tap to open in glossary → in the midst of the sadhus.

Question-and-answer discussions took place, and thus half the night passed.

Then Nath went into the town, taking his companions along.

There the Lord of life went to sleep, sleeping a little, and then woke at dawn.

At once he mounted his horse, and reviewed the whole assembly.

Then Maharaj came to the tamarind tree, to give the devotees 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 →.

Young, youthful, elderly, and women came near 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 →, rejoicing.

They brought garments of various kinds, ornaments of different types.

Sandalwood, flowers, 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 →, and incense, lamps, and unique offerings of food.

Bringing such many items, everyone brought their own filled tray.

Where Jagjivan was sitting, there all the devotees came.

Together with the sadhus, they gazed upon Maharaj, and seeing him the devotees' hearts rejoiced.

Then men and women performed worship, worshipping Bhagwan with the sixteen-fold ritual.

Men performed worship of the sadhus too, offering prostrations and circumambulation.

Then they satsat1) True. Real. 2) Permanent, imperishable and unchanging. Is unbound by the past, the present, and the future.Tap to open in glossary → facing him, joining their hands, gazing with their eyes at Natvar Nath.

Then Pranjivan spoke: 'Listen, all of you.

The form you have found, the scriptures call "neti netineti netiIndescribable. Incomprehensible. Beyond words.Tap to open in glossary →" (not this, not this) — beyond even the boundless AksharAkshar1) Imperishable. In his personal form, Akshar serves Bhagvãn in Akshardhãm, and takes birth on earth as His ideal bhakta (sat-purush). Both forms are human in appearance. In his impersonal form, Akshar is the dhãm of Bhagvãn called Akshardhãm. In his all- pervading anvay form, Akshar is called Chidãkãsh.Tap to open in glossary →.

You have formed such love with that very one.

There are many devotees in the world, worshippers of incarnations, but the highest attainment beyond all — that, said the Lord of life, is yours.'

Hearing the Beloved's words, the devotees said: 'Blessed, blessed, Lord.'

All became delighted within, their sorrow and doubt dispelled.

Thus he gave happiness for many days, delighting the devotees greatly.

Then Pranjivan spoke: 'Go, all of you, to your own homes.

Remain fearless, all men and women, keeping your vows in mind.'

On the eleventh day of the bright half of Kartik, Jagjivan held this festival.

Having performed this divine play at Vartal, the Beloved then went to the land of Panchala.

To bring joy to all the devotees, Nishkulanand sings with love.

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 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 chapter on 'the Prabodhini festival held' — the seventy-ninth chapter.