Chapter summary
पञ्चायुधतीर्थोत्पत्तिः Pañcāyudha Tīrtha Utpattiḥ
The Revered Guru said: One day, the gods, concealed in the guise of Brahmins, came to the king's assembly. Their purpose was to seek the monarch's aid in a crucial matter. The king, after performing the customary welcoming ceremonies and offering his due respects, inquired about their well-being. Filled with delight, the gods then addressed the humble son of the Chola king, who stood before them with folded hands. (v.1-2)
**The Gods said:**
"O great king," they began, "a lord of the night-wanderers, a demon named Siṁhāda, dwells on Nārāyaṇādri [Tirumala] and inflicts various forms of violence upon the people. O protector of men, we implore you to swiftly bring about his death in battle!" (v.3)
**The King said:**
The king replied, "I certainly do not possess such strength. He is the king of demons, while I am but a mortal. How shall I fight him today, even though I command a sufficient army, strength, and valour?" (v.4)
**The Gods said:**
"O King," the gods countered, "Lord Veṅkaṭeśa is indeed your friend, the bestower of fearlessness upon the gods. Imbued with His strength, you are fully capable of bringing about the death of this wicked one." (v.5)
**The King said:**
"It is indeed true," the king affirmed. "The Lord, the husband of Śrī, is compassionate and my friend, one whose desires are all fulfilled. Praying to Him, I shall make an effort in battle, relying on His strength. Of this, there is no doubt." (v.6)
**The Revered Guru said:**
Dismissing all the gods, the king journeyed to the mountain of the Lord of Veṅkaṭaśaila. There, he reported his predicament and the promise of fearlessness he had given to his divine visitors. At that very moment, Viṣṇu, the Supreme Self, greatly pleased, bestowed upon him His own discus, and then the conch, the Kaumodakī mace, the Nandaka sword, and the Śārṅga bow—His five divine weapons. (v.7-8)
Viṣṇu Himself entered the king's heart, and the monarch shone with the Lord's effulgence. Mounting his horse, which was a partial incarnation of Garuḍa, the brave king swiftly set out for victory. By the command of Śrī Veṅkaṭeśa, all the gods and the attendants of Keśava, well-armed, went forth with him for the express purpose of slaying the king of the night-wanderers. (v.9-10)
Then, the king of night-wanderers, Siṁhāda, hearing the roar of the king's soldiers, became exceedingly furious. Surrounded by his demon army, he reached the battlefield. The lord of the night-wanderers, trident in hand, launched a dreadful assault of rocks, while his hordes of demons, their eyes agitated with rage, uprooted trees and hurled them. (v.11-12)
The king, with his sharp arrows, blocked both the assault of trees and the assault of rocks. "Excellent! Excellent!" the gods joyfully exclaimed, and rejoicing, they praised the king. Toṇḍamān, with effortless grace, severed arms, heads, and hands. Demons fell to the earth by the crores, and the lord of the night-wanderers became exceedingly enraged. (v.13-14)
Then the evil one brought forth his main army, which was magical and capable of deluding even the gods. Seeing it, the king became distressed and remembered the Lord of Lakṣmī, his chosen deity. Veṅkaṭeśa, ever dedicated to the protection of His devotees, deluded that army. They began to fight amongst themselves, while the army from Nārāyaṇādri remained steadfast behind the king. (v.15-16)
Then the king of Tuṇḍīra, with the discus in hand, approached Siṁhāda in battle and slew him. The gods showered a rain of flowers upon him, and the hosts of Gandharvas sang. Going once again to that Supreme Person, Viṣṇu, the king bowed and announced his victory. With eyes full of tears and with supreme devotion, he offered back the five weapons. The abode of Ramā, out of compassion, embraced His friend and spoke sweet words to the king, who, endowed with the five weapons, stood before Him like a reflection of His own divine form. (v.17-19)
**The Lord said:**
"I do not commit the sin of taking back what has been given," the Lord declared. "Let these five weapons remain with you always. You have thus attained a form similar to Mine, O King. I shall not find a friend like you." (v.20)
**The King said:**
"Seeing You, O God of gods, here with empty hands, I am distressed," the king replied. "The conch and the discus are indeed the ornaments of Your lotus-hands, O Mukunda." (v.21)
**The Lord said:**
"Soon, indeed, a certain best among the knowers of Brahman, a devotee of Mine, will place a golden conch and discus in My lotus-hands," the Lord explained. "For now, do not grieve." (v.22)
**The King said:**
"I am not worthy to bear Your conch and discus, O ocean of mercy, Veṅkaṭeśa!" the king humbly submitted. "Where should that weapon of Yours be placed? Kindly give the command with affection." (v.23)
**The Lord said:**
"So be it, O King," the Lord assented. "On this Uragācala [Serpent Mountain], which is purified by the touch of My feet, place the five weapons today. There, they shall become five sin-destroying Tīrthas [sacred waters]." (v.24)
**The Revered Guru said:**
Thus instructed by Mukunda, Murāri, the king placed the five weapons on that king of mountains. They were manifested immediately as five Tīrthas that destroy all sins. (v.25)
Thus, in the *Divya Deśa Vaibhavam*, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu, in the first part, the thirty-eighth chapter named 'The Origin of the Pañcāyudha Tīrtha'.
