Chapter summary
काञ्चीपुरमाहात्म्यम् Kāñcī Pura Māhātmyam
The Greatness of the City of Kanchi
**The revered Sadguru said:**
I shall now recount the supreme and auspicious glory of the city of Kāñcī, which graces the earth like a beautifully adorned hip-girdle. Among the seven cities renowned as bestowers of liberation—Ayodhyā, Mathurā, Māyā (Haridwar), Kāśī, Kāñcī, Avantikā (Ujjain), and Dvāravatī—Kāñcī holds a special place. Its very name, "Kāñcī," signifies its sacred origin: "Ka" denotes Brahmā, and it was here that Hari was worshipped by him, thus making it a city famed for augmenting spiritual merit. (v.1-3)
Indeed, among all cities, Kāñcī stands preeminent, just as Hastigiri is celebrated as the greatest among all mountains. On the northern bank of the Vegavatī River, within the Punyakoṭi Vimāna, Hari, the grantor of boons to all beings, is visible even to this day. (v.4-5)
One should revere the anthill situated in the north-western part of that great mountain, for there resides Śeṣa, the foremost among the serpent-folk. By bathing in the Anantasaras (Ananta's Lake), which is blessed by the shadow of the Vimāna, one is cleansed of all sins and ascends to the realm of Viṣṇu. It was from the netherworld that the divine Ananta, the lord of serpents, emerged here, desiring to behold the great Varāha, the Lord of the Devas. (v.6-8)
This most sacred *Tīrtha*, frequented by assemblages of perfected beings (*Siddhas*), is where all holy waters have likewise been gathered by the wise seers. Thus, Kāñcī perpetually shines as the central jewel in the garland of the seven cities, a garland itself embellished by virtuous people. (v.9-10)
In that illustrious city, upon Hastigiri, resides the Lord Hari, known as Varada, the Bestower of Boons. He is an ocean of mercy, who spontaneously arose from the heart of Brahmā's sacrificial altar. (v.11)
On the bank of Gajendra-saras, one should behold the eight-armed Hari, who formerly hastened forth to protect the elephant. One should also see Hari resting on His serpent-couch, who stood as a dam against the Vegavatī's currents, the mighty Viṣṇu who restrained the flow of the Sarasvatī. Likewise, at the Sarasvatī-kuṇḍa, one should witness the resplendent lamp of wisdom (*Jñānadīpaprakāśaka*), by the mere sight of whom the inner gloom is dispelled. (v.12-14)
Then, on the bank of Hema-saras, one should behold the grantor of boons to Muchukunda, revered by Hārīta, and also Kṛṣṇa, the emissary of Pārtha (Arjuna), in the Pāṇḍava shrine. One should see Kṛṣṇa, the bestower of boons to Akrūra, in the watery abode (Nīraniketana). Similarly, one should behold the moon-visaged Viṣṇu near the mango grove. (v.15-16)
In Kāmakoshṭha, one should thus see Kṛṣṇa, venerated by Gaurī. In Ooraka, one should behold the god Trivikrama, adored by Ādiśeṣa. On the bank of Ambarīṣa-saras, one should see the merciful Achyuta. On the bank of the Nityapuṣkariṇī, one should behold the undecaying Viṣṇu in His Varāha form. (v.17-18)
At Chakra-tīrtha, one should see the Lord named Pravala, the coral-hued, worshipped by the Aśvinī-devas. And at Airammadīya-tīrtha, one should behold Achyuta, the Sovereign of Vaikuṇṭha. (v.19)
A devotee should perceive Hari, who is all-encompassing, everywhere within the city of Kāñcī. The principal, renowned shrines here are thus fourteen. Innumerable are the sacred abodes where Viṣṇu manifests in His iconic form. O Vaiṣṇavas, you foremost among the pious, lend your ears! I shall now narrate the sublime and propitious glory of these fourteen places. (v.20-21)
Thus, the first chapter, named "The Greatness of the City of Kanchi," in the Second Part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
