Chapter summary
हरिद्वारमाहात्म्यम् Haridvāra Māhātmyam
The Glory of Haridwar
**The revered Sadguru said:**
Having traversed the lofty mountain peaks, the auspicious celestial river Viṣṇupadī [Ganges] descends to earth here at Haridwar, a place revered by all. Upon the arrival of this sacred river, Haridwar itself was transformed into the most excellent of holy *tīrthas*, a sacred confluence rare even for the gods (v.1-2). Day after day, gods, sages, *siddhas*, *gandharvas*, and *kinnaras* journey to Haridwar to perform their sacred ablutions. Here, one should behold Hari, who is worshipped by all deities and revered by Brahmā, Rudra, and all the great sages (v.3-4). This city, renowned on earth as Māyā, is a bestower of liberation. It serves as a gateway (*dvāra*) for mortals, granting them access to Hari at the moment of death (v.5).
Within this sacred land flourishes a holy place named Kanakhala, where, in ancient times, Dakṣa Prajāpati performed a magnificent sacrifice. The Prajāpati had a daughter, Satī, of exquisite beauty, whom he bestowed upon the great God, Śiva, according to the prescribed rites. Thus, Parameśvara [Śiva] became Dakṣa's son-in-law. However, this relationship, instead of fostering respect, inflamed Dakṣa's pride, leading him to hold Rudra in contempt. On one occasion, within the sacrificial hall, he publicly insulted Maheśvara. Disgusted, Parameśvara then departed for Kailāsa with his wife (v.6-9).
Many days later, Dakṣa's daughter returned to witness her father and the grand sacrificial festival once more. Observing that the sacrifice had no portion allotted for Rudra, Dākṣāyaṇī [Satī] was overcome with anger. Rebuking her father, she herself stepped outside the sacrificial arena. Neglected by her father, who harbored animosity towards Śaṅkara, the chaste Satī resolved to immolate the body she had received from him. Meditating on the lotus feet of Śiva, Bhavānī, a practitioner of Śiva-yoga, consumed her body with the fire of yoga and attained the supreme Śiva himself (v.10-13). This supreme place, where the goddess Dākṣāyaṇī sacrificed her excellent body, is known as Jvālāpur (v.14).
Upon hearing of this tragedy, Vīrabhadra appeared at Dakṣa's sacrifice. He severed Dakṣa's head and struck down the assembled gods. Terrified, the gods fled and sought refuge with Brahmā, imploring him for a simple means to appease the easily pleased Āśutoṣa [Śiva]. Brahmā revealed, "Lord Śambhu is pleased and forgives sins merely by the utterance of the words 'Namo, Namo, Namaḥ' (Salutations, Salutations, Salutations)" (v.15-17). Thus instructed by Brahmā, the gods journeyed to Mount Kailāsa and, filled with trepidation, offered obeisance to the tranquil Parameśvara. Śambhu, now well-pleased, returned with the gods to the sacrificial hall, where he beheld the patron of the sacrifice. Seeing Dakṣa with his head severed, Candraśekhara [Śiva], moved by compassion, joined his body with the head of a goat. Revived once more, Dakṣa praised Śaśiśekhara [Śiva] and, through the pleased Parameśvara, had his sin forgiven (v.18-21).
Thereafter, Dakṣa Prajāpati completed the remainder of the sacrifice. The *Hotṛ* priest offered the sacrificial cake (*puroḍāśa*) to Viṣṇu, the Supreme Self. At that moment, Hari, Janārdana himself, appeared in person, granting his vision, which is difficult to obtain even for the gods. The glorious Lord, holding a conch and discus, resembled a dark rain-cloud. He was adorned in yellow garments and a garland, embodying the sacrifice itself and the bestower of its fruits. Beholding Janārdana, the Lord of all worlds and God of gods, the affectionate Dakṣa Prajāpati praised him with tears of love (v.22-25).
**Daksha said:**
"Welcome, O Lord of all gods, O Śrīnivāsa, salutations to You! When You are pleased, O Mādhava, all the gods are pleased. I know without a doubt that You alone are the performer of the sacrifice, the sacrifice itself, the bestower of its fruit, the one to be worshipped by the sacrifice, and indeed, the Lord of the sacrifice (v.26-27). Nevertheless, through Your *Māyā*, an unbearable pride arises within me. Considering myself to be the lord, I insult all the gods. Yet, the gods are indeed parts of Your body, and You are their very soul. Therefore, insulting other deities is, in truth, an insult to You alone (v.28-29). They who, with a non-dualistic mind, worship You, who are present in all beings, through the sacrifice of non-violence—they alone are truly wise. But those who are filled with mutual hatred, endowed with hypocrisy, whose hearts are attached to sense objects, and who are devoted to desire-motivated actions—such as myself, O Puruṣottama—perform sacrifices in this world. For them, deluded by ignorance, there is only toil (v.30-32). O treasure-house of compassion, O Guru of the world, O repository of mercy for the afflicted! Please uplift those like me, who are deluded by *karma* and who consider the raft of *karma* to be very firm, by showing them the path of knowledge" (v.33).
**The revered Sadguru said:**
Thus praised with love by Dakṣa, the eternal Lord, the embodiment of sacrifice and the one who sees all equally, spoke these sweet words (v.34).
**The Supreme Lord said:**
"I, Brahmā, and Śarva [Śiva] are the supreme cause of the universe. O Prajāpati, there is indeed not even a slight difference among us. Those fools and sinners who, with a sense of difference, harbor hatred—their suffering in hell will last as long as the moon and sun; there is no doubt. Therefore, with a sense of equanimity everywhere, be ever tranquil, perceiving with the eye of knowledge that 'Vāsudeva is everything'" (v.35-37).
**The revered Sadguru said:**
Having spoken thus, Lord Viṣṇu, Hari, vanished from that very spot. Śiva also consoled Dakṣa, who had come for refuge. And Satī, having become the daughter of Himavat, the free-willed goddess, through devotion and austerity, again obtained Maheśvara [Rudra] (v.38-39). This Māyāpur is known in the world as Haridwar, where the river Gaṅgā, having come to the earth, plays with great joy (v.40).
Here ends the eighth chapter, titled "The Glory of Haridwar," in the First Part of the "Divyadeśavaibhavam" composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
Thus ends Chapter 8, named "Haridvāra Māhātmyam", in Prathama Bhāge, in the Divya Deśa Vaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
