Chapter summary
त्रिविक्रमवैभवम् Trivikrama Vaibhavam
The Glory of Trivikrama
**The revered Guru said:**
In ancient times, Bhagavān Viṣṇu, the foremost among those who wield divine illusion, cunningly outwitted Bali. Assuming the colossal form of Trivikrama, He measured the entire earth and the heavens with His own magnificent strides. After the lord of the Dānavas was thus tricked and the worlds were conquered, Hari, filled with the joy of His victory, sounded His divine conch. (v.1-2)
Hearing the resounding call of the conch, the thousand-headed serpent, Ādiśeṣa, rose from the netherworld, Pātāla, eager for a vision of Viṣṇu. The cavernous opening from which this mighty serpent king emerged became renowned on earth as 'Ananta-saras'—Ananta's Lake. (v.3-4)
By then, Lord Hari had relinquished His awe-inspiring Trivikrama form. Assuming a four-armed aspect, the imperishable Lord became Upendra. However, the king of serpents, having missed the vision of Viṣṇu in His cosmic form, was filled with sorrow. He immediately undertook severe penance right there, driven by an intense desire to behold Trivikrama. (v.5-6)
Before long, the imperishable Viṣṇu, the bestower of boons, granted Ādiśeṣa a divine vision in His glorious Trivikrama form. The serpent king, overflowing with devotion, worshipped Viṣṇu, Keśava, and offered praises to the boon-granting Lord, Śrīnivāsa, Trivikrama. (v.7-8)
**Ādiśeṣa said:**
Victory, victory to You, O sole Lord of the universe! With but three steps, this entire cosmos was encompassed. Beholding Your supreme prowess, the very gods stand before You with folded hands, offering their praises. (v.9)
O Viṣṇu, You are eternally unconquered by any, and Your cry of victory is ever proclaimed throughout the worlds. Yet, paradoxically, You are conquered by Your devotees who have mastered their senses, for You are overcome by the sheer virtue they embody. Having conquered You, the Lord of all, through their own virtues, these devotees, their minds enchanted by supreme bliss, themselves raise cries of victory for You, knowing full well that their strength resides solely in You. (v.10-11)
When Indra and the other hosts of gods conquered the demons, they initially raised cries of their own victory. It was then that the goddess Haimavatī [Umā] came to them and spoke only of Your unparalleled might. Indeed, for those who have conquered desire and mastered their senses, victory is easily attained everywhere. Conversely, for the wicked who have not conquered their own self, defeat is found at every turn. (v.12-13)
O Primeval God, though the demons, the lords of the worlds, had previously conquered all realms, the gods, and the sages, they were ultimately devoured by You through Your various Avatāras, such as Narasiṃha. Kings who embarked on quests for world conquest, remaining unsatisfied even after attaining the status of emperor, eventually had their bodies merged into You, who are the very form of Time. Now, O Lord, they exist merely as remnants of stories. (v.14-15)
The mind is indeed the primary enemy of all beings; without conquering it, what use is any other victory? Knowing this profound truth, these tranquil sages take refuge at Your feet and thereby attain true happiness. (v.16)
In the same manner, I too carry this entire universe upon my head, solely by Your command. There is not a trace of pride in me, Your humble servant. Therefore, O Ananta [the Endless One], I have indeed conquered You. You recline upon my body in yogic sleep, and I bear You with profound love. Nevertheless, to behold this specific act of Your prowess, I have swiftly come here. (v.17-18)
**The Lord said:**
You are eternally My 'Śeṣa' [servant or remnant], O best of serpents. Therefore, you are known as 'Śeṣa' by name, and also by your complete and unwavering servitude to Me. Since you have beheld My imperishable form with such faith and devotion, I shall reside here eternally in that very form; of this, there is no doubt. (v.19-20)
You, too, should dwell here in an anthill, bearing the form of a serpent. Women desiring to obtain sons will come to worship you. Pleased by your worship, I will grant them progeny, for a man becomes complete only through his offspring, O serpent. (v.21-22)
**The revered Guru said:**
Having spoken thus, Lord Viṣṇu, worshipped by the king of serpents, is continuously seen there in His Trivikrama form. Before Him, the serpent king also, residing in an anthill, worshipped Hari daily, desiring to bestow grace upon the world. Those women who worship the serpent king with turmeric, kumkum, flowers, and cow's milk—they indeed obtain progeny. (v.23-25)
Thus ends the sixth chapter, titled "The Glory of Trivikrama," in the section on the greatness of Kāñcīpuram, in the Second Part of the "Divya Deśa Vaibhavam," composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
