Chapter summary
कैरविणीक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यम् Kairaviṇī Kṣetra Māhātmyam
The Greatness of the Kairaviṇī Sacred Site
**The Revered Guru said:**
In times past, within the Tundira region, there reigned a king named Sumati. He was a righteous monarch, true to his word, and ever devoted to the service of Brahmins. Ruling all the people of the four social orders according to the sacred law of Manu, he achieved victory everywhere and shone brightly, honored even by the gods themselves. Under his benevolent reign, the rains were always favorable, the crops flourished abundantly, and the kingdom enjoyed great prosperity. He was preeminent among the devotees of Vishnu, beloved by Vishnu's people, endowed with profound humility, and utterly devoid of ostentation or ego (v.1-4).
Once, this king, desiring to behold Lord Venkatesha, journeyed with deep devotion to the sacred Sesha hill, accompanied by his retinue. Lord Venkateshwara—the glorious one, marked by the Srivatsa emblem, and wielding the conch, discus, and mace—was greatly pleased by his unwavering devotion (v.5-6).
**The Lord said:**
"O Sumati, you are My devotee; you are truly blessed, of this there is no doubt. I am pleased with your devotion. Tell Me, what is your desire? O great king, I am here to grant boons; I shall surely fulfill your wish. Indeed, devotion to Me is unfailing, for I am ever affectionate to My devotees" (v.7-8).
**Sumati said:**
"O Keshava, I perceive no limit to Your boundless grace. O Lord of Shri, I am utterly unworthy of such profound compassion. O Govinda, You bestow upon me ever-increasing compassion. Grant me, I pray, such devotion as is commensurate with Your boundless mercy" (v.9-10). He then added, "O Madhava, in the past, You acted as the charioteer for Partha [Arjuna]. O Lord, I yearn to witness that divine play once again" (v.11).
**The Lord said:**
"So be it, O great king. My vision is easily attainable. It will surely come to pass for you in due time. Keep your faith in Me firm" (v.12).
**The Revered Guru said:**
Having spoken thus, the divine Shrinivasa, the very treasury of mercy, vanished from sight. Sumati, filled with immense joy, likewise returned to his own city (v.13). Some time later, several Brahmins arrived and, after being duly honored by the excellent and naturally humble king, made an earnest appeal (v.14).
**The Brahmins said:**
"O great king, we reside in the Narayana forest, near the Sesha mountain, contemplating the fruits of our penance. There, O king, we perform our daily austerities for the welfare of the world. However, man-eating Rakshasas have been devouring us. Punish the wicked and protect the virtuous; this alone, O lord of the earth, is the highest duty of kings" (v.15-17).
**The Revered Guru said:**
Hearing this, the great king immediately assured the Vedic scholars, "I shall do so without delay," and then dispatched them. The righteous monarch reflected that a great task lay before him. After worshipping Lord Venkatesha, the protector of the universe and his own family deity, he gained immense courage and set forth with his army. Ascending a grand chariot, he proceeded to the Narayana forest (v.18-20).
The king went hunting with the express intent of slaying the Rakshasas. Hearing the resonant sound of his conch, the fearsome-looking Rakshasas quickly advanced, enraged, with pikes and axes in their hands. A great battle then ensued between the Rakshasas and the king. Thousands of warriors in the army were devoured by the monstrous Rakshasas, while many Rakshasas, cut and pierced in countless ways, fell upon the earth. A river of blood flowed there on the battlefield, making the entire scene terrifying and unbearable (v.21-24).
Suddenly, the lord of the Rakshasas devoured the king's charioteer. King Sumati, bewildered and unsure of what to do, then remembered Govinda—the friend in distress, the husband of Shri, Shrinivasa, Venkatesha—who is ever affectionate to those who seek refuge (v.25-26).
At that very moment, a preeminent charioteer suddenly appeared there—a magnificent figure, wearing a turban, and holding a whip and a goad. He was clad in a tunic and turban, adorned in armor, possessed lotus-like eyes, a face made beautiful by a beard, held a conch in his hand, and exuded great strength. Bowing to Sumati, the steadfast king, the charioteer, with a pleasant face and beautiful eyes, spoke with a smile, joyfully, respectfully, and gracefully (v.27-29).
**The Charioteer said:**
"Fear not, O great king. I have arrived by chance. I shall be your charioteer; now, engage in battle. Having slain all these night-wanderers with effortless ease, you shall attain victory, O king. I speak the truth, the very truth" (v.30-31).
**Sumati said:**
"Welcome to you, O noble one! I am fulfilled by your very sight. You have arrived at this crucial moment, solely by the grace of the Lord of Shri. O charioteer, surely I shall attain victory through your expert charioteering. You have come by my good fortune; what more can be said of your service as a charioteer?" (v.32-33).
**The Revered Guru said:**
Having spoken thus, Sumati, who had suddenly gained a charioteer and was filled with supreme enthusiasm, fought a mighty battle. Skillfully driving the horses, the charioteer protected the warrior in the chariot, arousing his enthusiasm and praising him again and again. Driving the chariot swiftly over uneven ground, both high and low, the charioteer displayed his remarkable agility in the art of driving. With sweet cries of "Hai! Hai!", he urged on the horses, and the beautiful-eyed charioteer astonished the king (v.34-37).
By the mere presence of the charioteer, Sumati swiftly accomplished the destruction of all the Rakshasas and was honored by the great Brahmin sages. King Sumati then wished to bestow a reward upon the charioteer, but the lotus-eyed charioteer suddenly vanished from that place (v.38-39). The king was utterly astonished. Realizing it was the profound compassion of Hari, he was filled with devotion and, with tears of affection, folded his hands and offered praise (v.40).
**The King said:**
"O Lord, O treasury of mercy, I recognize this divine play of Yours. That which I had previously requested has now been granted by Your grace. But, O Lord, O Charioteer of Partha, I am not Partha. I do not possess such devotion. I am a wretched soul, O treasury of mercy. Seating Yourself below me, a lowly person, You, though the Lord of all worlds, acted as my charioteer. Not knowing Your greatness and thinking of You as a mere charioteer, whatever offense I have committed, please forgive me, O Lord" (v.41-44). He continued, "But I languish from separation from You, O Charioteer of Victory. Merely by seeing You, my love for You only increases" (v.45).
**The Revered Guru said:**
To the king who was thus offering praise, the Lord, who is ever affectionate to His devotees, the husband of Shri, spoke in a voice as deep and resonant as the clouds (v.46).
**The Lord said:**
"Do not grieve, O great king. Return to your city. Having slain all the Rakshasas, you have attained victory. There, on the bank of the Kairaviṇī [a lily pond], near the ocean, lies a sacred site, a beautiful forest called Brindaranyam. Construct a temple there and consecrate it according to the prescribed rites. You should then cause daily festivals to be performed there according to the Vaikhanasa tradition. I shall indeed be present there, of this there is no doubt, in the form of Partha Sarathy [the charioteer of Partha] for the protection of My devotees" (v.47-50).
**The Revered Guru said:**
Thus instructed, that king returned to his city. Constructing a temple there, he worshipped Keshava. This sacred site of Brindaranyam destroys all sins, where Lord Venkateshwara resides in the guise of a charioteer (v.51-52).
Here ends the twenty-second chapter, titled "The Greatness of the Kairaviṇī Sacred Site," in the Second Volume of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
Thus ends Chapter 22, named "Kairaviṇī Kṣetra Māhātmyam", in Dvitīya Bhāge, in the Divya Deśa Vaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
