Bhaktachintamani Prakaran 87

I shall tell more of the pastimes of the Beloved, the imperishable 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 →, who stayed near the sadhus and was pleased to remain with them for six months.

Whatever he did during that time, I shall tell you — listen, O people; hearing of Shyam's deeds brings the greatest purification.

He remained a long while in Gadhada, celebrating Holi there as well.

The hot season passed in that place, and the beautiful, dark-hued one was greatly pleased.

Then the four months of the monsoon retreat began, during which the wickedness of the wicked became evident.

From there Morar departed and came to Sarangpur, bringing with him the assembly of sadhus, great liberated souls pure within.

Along with them he came to Sarangpur, which delighted the hearts of many.

The devout devotee Jivo Khachar hosted him, 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 → stayed at his house; a fine, delicious meal was prepared, and Nath ate and fed his companions.

The day of Ashtami then arrived, and all the sadhus kept the vow; then he himself went outside, and many men and women came for 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 →.

A fine cot was set up in the yard, and Vanmali satsat1) True. Real. 2) Permanent, imperishable and unchanging. Is unbound by the past, the present, and the future.Tap to open in glossary → upon it; he answered many questions there, his form shining in white garments.

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 → graciously, and the hearts of the people rejoiced greatly.

Thus the Ashtami festival was held, and the people gained an extraordinary experience.

The people kept various vows, fasting and eating unsalted food; Prabhuji told them, "From today, you are dear to me."

Then, for the paramhansas, he had a fine meal prepared with care, and he himself served it in the row of sadhus, speaking to them with love.

All the sadhus, hearing this, went off in groups to wander; the other devotees who had come also returned to their own homes.

He himself stayed on in Sarangpur; the sadhus who remained there did so, watching for Maharaj's wish, coming and going as he pleased.

A month and a half passed there, with the devotees receiving 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 → daily.

A fine festival was held for the Enchanter 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 →.

Then Nath came to Gadhada, taking all the sadhus with him; he stayed ten days there, then came to Kariyani village.

Hearing of this, all the satsangis came, fell at his feet, and welcomed him into their homes; they gave him a seat and prepared a meal, 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 → ate, seeing their devotion.

Then he fed the sadhus as well, and the day passed in joy in this way; Nath 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 → daily, and there were questions and answers.

As some days passed in this way, Prabhuji spoke, being pleased: "How many days of Ashwin have passed — when will the victorious tenth day come?"

Then Vasta Khachar spoke, folding his hands, saying it was near: "Nath, I ask one favor of you — grant it and be pleased.

Hold the ten-day festival, call the sadhus, and I will be very glad."

Hearing this, Nath said, "Very well, call the company of sadhus."

Then all the sadhus came together, gathering from every land; they came and fell at Prabhuji's feet, and his heart could not contain its joy at seeing them.

Then Nath looked upon the sadhus, fulfilling his own devotee's wish; Jagjivan then said, "Sadhus, today is the day of the festival — sing garba and hold the celebration, fill your hearts with joy today."

Then the sadhus began the festival and held a fine celebration.

A fine meal was then prepared, and Life ate together with the people; then he kept the sadhus with him and 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 → graciously.

Then devotees 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 → came from Diu — the VaishyaVaishyaMerchant. Businessman or employer traditionally dealing with financial and commercial matters in society. TheTap to open in glossary → woman Premabai, pure of heart.

She brought garments for the Lord, and Maharaj went and put them on near her.

Trousers, a robe, and a turban, a waistband, sash, and sandals — a parasol was held over the charming one's head, and Jagdish was worshipped with great love.

Then Prabhuji, being pleased, came and 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; Bhatt Dinanath was greatly fortunate, and the Beloved granted him this good fortune.

Then, as Diwali arrived, Valo Vanmali said, "Now the Annakut festival has come — it should be held well, with nothing lacking.

Go and bring confectioners at once, and have sweets prepared in many varieties."

As Jagjivan had said, so the people did.

A fine row of lamps was made, and Murari himself 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 it, wearing trousers and a fine brocaded robe, his head bound with a golden turban.

Garlands of flowers were worn around his neck, and the people gazed on him with loving hearts; 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 → smiled and looked upon them, fulfilling the longing of their hearts.

Then Shrimaharaj said, "Sadhus, sing garba today."

The sadhus then made ready and composed a dance with much singing.

Then, pleased, the Beloved said, "Sadhus, put on a fine show today," and so he had them perform, delighting the hearts of the people.

Thus midnight passed with much conversation from the Beloved; then Pranajivan went to sleep, and the sadhus went to their own places.

As morning came, Pranaadhar awoke, having slept; 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 → to the sadhus, seated upon his couch.

Then the Annakut offering was prepared — vegetables, cooked dishes, and pure food, sweets of every kind, and fried vegetables of many sorts.

Life himself ate with love, then fed all the people; he himself served in the row, making the sadhus very glad.

Thus the festival was held in joy, and the assembly of sadhus received great happiness; fresh dishes were prepared daily, each one finer than the last.

In this way three months passed, with all the sadhus kept close by him.

Then one day Maharaj had radishes brought for the sadhus — some he gave by hand, others he tossed for them to catch; the people took them as prasad, and the great, disciplined sadhus rose to receive them.

Thus an unmatched festival, know this, was held on Diwali in the dark half of Ashwin, held at Kariyani, arranged devotedly by the devotee Vasta.

Having performed many pastimes there, the sadhus and Shyam then departed from that place; many satsangis were in Botad, 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 → stayed there one night.

Life ate and fed the people there, then Bhagwan departed from there; the great devotee Surakhachar lived in the village of Loya, and he came to his house.

All the people there rejoiced greatly, having 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 Prabhuji; with great affection they were given lodging, each according to what was fitting.

A fine, continuous meal was prepared, given without holding back; many dishes of eggplant were made, prepared by Shrihari's own hand.

He alone made a dish in gheegheeThis is clarified butter or pure butter that is formed by heating it until the impurities in it settle to the bottom.Tap to open in glossary →, and the sadhus ate it, setting aside other cooked food; the Lord served with his own hand, and the sadhus ate heartily together.

Every day he performed some new pastime, keeping all the sadhus together; as many days passed in this way, he gave much 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 → to the people.

Then Shrimaharaj spoke: "Listen, all you sadhus — I examined carefully the day the people of Ayodhya came, and I found it good.

The root of satsangsatsang1) True company. The practice of associating with Bhagvãn’s sant, other satsangis, the ãtmã, and the sacred shãstras, and also observing vartmãns and niyams. 2) Also refers to the sampradãy, which is the presence of good company.Tap to open in glossary → has taken firm hold, now that this family of dharmadharma1) Universal law or principle that 'sustains' or 'upholds' the entire world. Righteousness, morality, religion,Tap to open in glossary → has come."

Saying this, he called the two brothers forward and gave them fine, pleasing garments.

Then the sadhus spoke with folded hands: "It is very good indeed, merciful Lord — we too rejoiced greatly at their coming, as you well know."

"With the brothers' coming, good has resulted, and the wicked who spoke ill have been put to shame; the devotees 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 → cannot contain their joy, and celebration happens continually."

As spring arrived in this way, countless people came for 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 →, lovingly falling at Prabhuji's feet; Nath, seeing them, was never satiated.

The Beloved, knowing it was a festival day, was greatly pleased; wearing red spring garments, he filled his lap with gulal.

Nath threw it with his hand upon the people's heads, and, delighted by the sight, took pleasure in the game; a thick cloud of gulal rose up, and he threw handful after handful until the sleeve of his robe tore.

Thus the festival was held in joy, and the people gained a wonderful experience.

Then much prasad was brought — fresh jaggery and sesame sweets — 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 →, out of mercy, gave portions to the devotees with his own two hands.

Performing such boundless pastimes, Jagadhar then spoke: "This festival has gone very well; now give leave to all the sadhus."

Then the sadhus went off in every direction, hoping for the coming Holi festival.

Then the full-moon night arrived, and the moon was seized by Rahu — a great and terrible eclipse occurred, and the night became exceedingly dark.

When the moon's body became pure again, Nath went to bathe with his companions; carts and horses beyond count, thousands upon thousands of people went along, singing and talking, and bathed at Bhadravati; then Pranapati came to Asan.

Thus Nath performed pastimes continually, and the people were happy to see them.

A joyful festival was held, the festival of the fifth day of the bright half of Magha, held in the village of Loya, in fine style, at the house of the devotee Surakhachar.