Chapter summary
कुरुक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यम् Kuru Kṣetra Māhātmyam
The Glory of Kurukshetra
**The revered Sadguru said:**
"I shall journey to Kurukshetra; I shall dwell in Kurukshetra." He who constantly utters these words is liberated from all transgressions. Even the particles of dust in Kurukshetra, when stirred by the wind, guide even those who have committed wicked deeds to the supreme spiritual state. To the south of the Sarasvatī river and to the north of the Dṛṣadvatī, those who reside in Kurukshetra truly dwell in the celestial realms (v.1-3).
In this sacred field, Rāma [Paraśurāma], having brought about the annihilation of the Kṣatriyas, created a holy *tīrtha* [pilgrimage site] and, in ancient times, washed away the sins of humanity. This, indeed, is the famed lake, its waters once crimson with blood. It was in this very field that the king Kuru performed a sacrifice renowned throughout all worlds. Therefore, this land became celebrated by his name, a revered destination for the pious. Here, Śūrasena's son, Vasudeva—the father of the Discus-Bearer [Krishna]—also performed a great sacrifice. In that sacred rite, all the devotees of Krishna assembled, accompanied by Krishna Himself (v.4-6).
In this field, the *gopī* Rādhā, having journeyed from Gokula, was reunited with Mādhava. There, honored by Krishna's consorts, foremost among them Bhīṣmī [Rukmiṇī], she rejoiced with her companions, her heart overflowing with love (v.7).
It was in this field, seated in His golden chariot, that Vāsudeva, Mukunda, the preceptor of the Gītā, the lord of the Yadus, imparted the sacred wisdom of the Gītā to Pārtha [Arjuna] amidst the assembled kings and the two vast armies. Here, Devakī's son, Keśava, the conch-bearer, lovingly assumed the role of charioteer for Kuntī's son [Arjuna], guiding the reins of the magnificent steeds (v.8-9).
During the battle with Bhīṣma, the great-souled Krishna, desiring to slay him, rushed forward, holding His discus, His upper garment slipping to the ground in His divine haste, even as He was being prayed to by Bhīṣma, the beloved friend of His devotees. In this field, the great-souled celibate [Bhīṣma] was felled to the ground by Pārtha. Meditating on Krishna, he lay upon a bed of arrows, and to him, Pārtha brought forth sacred waters from his arrow (v.10-11).
In this field, the Supreme Soul, Pārtha's charioteer, the God of gods, having created a *tīrtha* and bathed His horses, performed the charioteer's duty as a divine sport, astonishing all the heroes with His wondrous acts (v.12).
Here, seeing Phālguna's [Arjuna's] solemn vow to slay the king of Sindhu [Jayadratha], Mukunda veiled the sun with His discus, thus ensuring Pārtha's vow was fulfilled. In this field, the Brahmin named Droṇa, who met his demise at the hands of Dhṛṣṭadyumna, found peace. Meditating on Vishnu through the path of yoga, he finally cast off his mortal coil, though still burdened by sorrow for his son (v.13-14).
In this field, Padmanābha, Murāri, the beloved of Pārtha, received the blazing Vaiṣṇava missile, launched by the son of Bhūmi [Bhagadatta], upon His own chest, transforming it into a resplendent Vaijayantī garland. Here, seeing from afar the Nārāyaṇa missile launched by Droṇa's son [Aśvatthāmā], Vāsudeva immediately protected all the warriors by instructing Pārtha and Bhīma to bow down (v.15-16).
In this field, by Krishna's command, the hero Pārtha struck down the great giver Karṇa while he was lifting his chariot, which was stuck in the earth, and swiftly secured victory. Here, the great-souled Bhīmasena, having slain Dhṛtarāṣṭra's son [Duryodhana] in a fierce battle, fulfilled his solemn vow before Govinda, the Lord of Dvārakā, Śauri (v.17-18).
In this field, great souls desirous of dharma, having fought the war, indeed attained the celestial realms in ancient times. Bhīṣma, having bowed to Krishna and imparted the principles of dharma to the King of Dharma [Yudhiṣṭhira], joyfully attained liberation. In this field, the great-souled son of the Wind-God [Hanumān], stationed on the Pāṇḍava's chariot, let forth a mighty roar. Solely due to his presence, the chariot, which had been previously scorched by the Nārāyaṇa missile and other weapons, remained protected (v.19-20).
In this field, having vanquished that king of the Kauravas, who was none other than the embodiment of Kali, Murāri established dharma. As a witness and the charioteer of the Pāṇḍavas, He relieved the Earth of its heavy burden (v.21).
The man who reads or hears the glory of Kurukshetra, or who remembers it upon waking in the morning—for such a one, the ill effects of the Kali Yuga are dispelled (v.22).
Here ends the twenty-fifth chapter, titled "The Glory of Kurukshetra," in the First Part of the "Divyadeśavaibhavam," composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
Thus ends Chapter 25, named "Kuru Kṣetra Māhātmyam", in Prathama Bhāge, in the Divya Deśa Vaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
