Chapter summary
पाण्डवदूतमाहात्म्यम् Pāṇḍavadūta Māhātmyam
The Glory of the Pandava's Messenger
**Shri Sadguru said:**
In ancient times, the Lord of all worlds, assuming the role of a messenger for the sons of Pāṇḍu, arrived in the city of Hastināpura, desiring an audience with Duryodhana. Yet, Lord Hari, Mādhava, chose to disregard Duryodhana's offerings of worship. Instead, He sought repose at the home of Vidura. Ever affectionate towards His devotees, the Lord graciously accepted Vidura's heartfelt reverence before proceeding to Duryodhana's assembly, with Vidura by His side. (v.1-3)
However, the deceitful Duryodhana, intent on binding the Lord of the worlds, had a deep pit dug into the earth, concealing his forces within it. This cunning trickster then covered the pit and placed a seat upon it, and the wicked-minded Suyodhana bade Kṛṣṇa sit there. Kṛṣṇa, the preceptor of all worlds, knowing full well the treachery, nonetheless took His seat. Instantly, the seat gave way, plunging into the pit teeming with warriors. Then, hundreds of armed warriors, swords in hand, leaped forth. Yet, the giver of fearlessness to the fearful merely laughed at the sight of them. (v.4-7)
**Shri Bhagavan said:**
"O great-minded Duryodhana, you seek to bind Me. But this is not the way to achieve such a feat, which is difficult even for the gods themselves. I am already bound, not by force, but by the noose of love woven by the Pāṇḍavas. It is for their sake, out of respect for their devotion, that I have come as a messenger." (v.8-9)
"O hero, you perceive Me as one devoid of an army's strength. But behold, O Kaurava, My true army, which resides within Me alone! See the Ādityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, the Viśvedevas, and the Ṛbhus; behold also the Asuras, Rākṣasas, Gandharvas, and Kinnaras. Witness the mighty Mahārṣis, great sages dedicated to both punishment and grace, and Brahmā, the creator of all worlds, along with the three-eyed Rudra. O Kaurava, within Me alone, see the sky, the earth, the seven oceans, and all beings and all worlds." (v.10-13)
**Shri Sadguru said:**
Having thus spoken, Lord Kṛṣṇa then manifested His universal form [Viśvarūpa]. Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and all others present offered praises to the Supreme Lord. Yet, the deluded Duryodhana, in his folly, dismissed this imperishable universal form of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Self, as merely a display of illusion. (v.14-15)
Indeed, Vyāsa, Nārada, the great sage Mārkaṇḍeya, Bharadvāja, and Kaṇva all beheld that wondrous form. Upon hearing of this great marvel, the revered sage named Hārīta yearned to witness once more that universal form of Hari, which encompasses the entire cosmos. (v.16-17)
Journeying to the sacred city of Kāñcī, he undertook severe penance. Kṛṣṇa, the very messenger of the Pāṇḍavas, then graciously granted him His divine vision. The devout sage, having reverently seated the Lord upon a throne, offered Him worship. With eyes moist with tears of devotion, he praised the Lord of all worlds, his hands folded in supplication. (v.18-19)
**Harita said:**
"Salutations to You, O lotus-eyed Keśava, who is ever affectionate towards Your devotees! Though You are difficult for even the gods to attain, You are easily accessible to those who are devoted to You. Out of Your profound partiality for the Pāṇḍavas, O Keśava, You set aside Your own supreme glory and came to the assembly of the Kurus as a mere messenger. Though You are the Lord of all worlds, O controller of all, You Yourself begged for alms, saying, 'Grant the Pāṇḍavas their rightful share!'" (v.20-22)
"You are the Lord of sacrifice, the enjoyer of sacrifice, and indeed the very embodiment of sacrifice, O Mādhava. Why then, O Lord, did You partake of food only after going to Vidura's humble abode? The foolish, even when they witness Your glory directly, fail to comprehend it. Only the saints, by Your grace alone, truly apprehend Your divine majesty. I have once more been blessed with Your vision, O protector of the Pāṇḍavas. Be pleased, O best among men, for I seek only supreme devotion." (v.23-25)
**Shri Bhagavan said:**
"Pleased by your profound penance, I have come to grant you My presence. Residing eternally right here, I shall continue to bestow My divine vision upon all mankind. Many scriptures have been composed by sages of yore, and countless *dharmas* [righteous ways of living] have been expounded, yet people in this Kali Yuga [the current age of strife and decline] remain ignorant of them. Therefore, O great sage, having thoroughly churned all the scriptures, declare that *dharma* which is concise, clear, and bestows all auspiciousness." (v.26-28)
**Shri Sadguru said:**
Having received this divine command from the Lord, the great sage Hārīta then composed a *Dharma Śāstra* [treatise on righteous conduct] that was both easy to understand and not overly extensive. Hari, in His form as Kṛṣṇa, was subsequently installed in the city of Kāñcī by Hārīta. Even to this day, Hari mercifully bestows auspiciousness upon all humanity from that sacred abode. (v.29-30)
Thus ends the ninth chapter, titled "The Glory of the Pandava's Messenger," in the Second Part of the Divya Desa Vaibhavam, composed by Shri Krishnapremi Mahaprabhu.
