Chapter summary
श्रीखण्डनगरमाहात्म्यम् Śrī Khaṇḍa Nagara Māhātmyam
The Glory of Śrīkhaṇḍanagara
**The revered Sadguru said:**
In the Himālaya, the daughter of the snowy mountain, the sacred Gaṅgā, roams with majestic grace. She ascends the towering peaks and then descends into the valleys, her journey marked by varied expressions. In some stretches, her waters produce a sweet, melodious sound, delightful to the ears, reminiscent of tinkling anklets and foot ornaments. Elsewhere, her surging waves unleash a deep, resonant roar. Her course can be profoundly deep in places, while in others her pace slows to a gentle meander. At times, she is playful, engaging in sportive arts, and at others, eager to leap forward with impetuous joy. (v.1-3)
Adorned with scattered gems and corals, and beautified by the wild flowers of the forest, she teems with herds of diverse animals and countless varieties of birds. Along her sacred bathing ghats, she is served by gods, gandharvas, munis, siddhas, vidyādharas, and other celestial beings and sages who dwell in the holy hermitages along her banks. Here and there, at the auspicious confluences [Prayāgas], she eagerly merges with other rivers, shining like a princess accompanied by her retinue of companions. Thus, the Jāhnavī [Gaṅgā] radiates, a delight to the eyes, adorned like a young maiden throughout the regions of the Himālaya. (v.4-7)
It is there, amidst these sacred lands, that the holy ford known as Devaprayāga lies — a destroyer of sins. Upon its banks, the great sage Bharadvāja performed his rigorous penance. Having undertaken austerities at various confluences, this great sage, firm in his vows, ultimately arrived at Devaprayāga. (v.8-9)
One day, all the sages residing in the Himālaya, inspired by Bharadvāja, journeyed to the city of Ayodhyā. Upon seeing them, Śrī Rāma, the very delight of the Raghu dynasty, the God of gods and Lord of the universe, was exceedingly pleased. With profound reverence, he worshipped these earthly gods, the brāhmaṇas. With hands folded in humble salutation, the King, whose face was serene and whose glorious eyes resembled lotus petals, spoke words of sweet welcome. (v.10-12)
**The revered Rāma said:**
"Welcome, O best of sages, you who are devoted to the welfare of the world! By your very sight, I am purified; of this, there is no doubt. Today, our ancestors are satisfied, our family deities worshipped. Indeed, by the sight of you, my life has become truly fruitful. What service may I, your humble servant, perform? Please tell me the reason for your coming. I am, truly, the devoted servant of you who are worshipped by the entire world." (v.13-15)
**The sages said:**
"O great hero, O great King, may blessings be upon you! We are all delighted, having drunk the nectar of your words. We are all Vaikhānasa sages, residents of the Himālaya. We have come here, O best of the Raghus, solely for the purpose of beholding you. We know your true greatness and your deeds, which appear as human through divine illusion. Sītā is Lakṣmī, you are Viṣṇu Himself, and Lakṣmaṇa is none other than Śeṣa. You have granted safety to all people, Rāvaṇa has been slain in battle, and you have been consecrated in Ayodhyā as the leader of the world." (v.16-19)
"To uphold your father's word, you previously set out for the forest with your brother and wife, wandering through those lands. At that time, in the southern regions, in your quest for Sītā, you journeyed as far as Laṅkā. Now, O great King, under the pretext of a victory tour [digvijaya], may a journey be undertaken once more, this time towards the northern regions, towards the peaks of the Himavat. May the touch of your sacred foot's sole grace every part of the land of Bhārata, for you are indeed Nārāyaṇa Himself. This petition, O Lord, has been composed by Bharadvāja, that great sage who is presently performing penance in the city of Śrīkhaṇḍa." (v.20-24)
**The revered Rāma said:**
"I have accepted this blessed petition of the sage. I shall set out today itself to perform this victory tour; of this, there is no doubt. By the blessings of you who are rich in penance, victory will surely be mine everywhere, bringing good fortune to the world. You may go ahead of me, back to your holy hermitage. I will follow you there, accompanied by my retinue." (v.25-27)
**The revered Sadguru said:**
Thus sent off and honored, all those great sages joyfully returned to the Himālaya and to their own hermitages. At an auspicious muhūrta [an astrologically propitious moment], a favorable lagna [ascendant], and on a fine day, the bull of the Raghu clan, accompanied by his ministers and army, set forth to perform the victory tour. (v.28-29)
Passing through the lands of the Mādhuras, Śūrasenas, Kurus, Pāñcālas, and Kekayas, Rāma, the upholder of the Raghu dynasty, reached Haridvāra. Worshipped everywhere by kings and city-dwellers, he whose name is holy to hear and chant listened to his own stories recounted in every place. (v.30-31)
Wandering through the regions of the Himālaya with the sages, he eventually reached the beautiful city of Śrīkhaṇḍa, a place built by the gods themselves. All the sages and people residing there, showing immense respect and filled with the excitement of a great festival, worshipped Rāghava. Bharadvāja, having constructed a magnificent mansion for Rāghava, led him inside and joyfully worshipped him with profound devotion. (v.32-34)
Rāma dwelt there, delighting with Sītā on the mountain, served by Lakṣmaṇa, just as he had done before on Citrakūṭa. Even today, the sacred temple of Rāma can be seen there, where Rāma shines forth, accompanied by Sītā and Lakṣmaṇa. In the divine and charming city of Śrīkhaṇḍa, on the bank of the sacred river Gaṅgā, the blessed sight of Rāma is obtained by people of great merit. (v.35-37)
Here ends the seventh chapter, titled "The Glory of Śrīkhaṇḍanagara," in the first part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
Thus ends Chapter 7, named "Śrī Khaṇḍa Nagara Māhātmyam", in Prathama Bhāge, in the Divya Deśa Vaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
