Chapter summary
वकुलारण्यक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यम् Vakulāraṇya Kṣetra Māhātmyam
The Glory of the Vakulāraṇya Kṣetra
**The Sadguru said:**
I shall now recount the profound glory of Vakulāraṇya, a supremely hallowed site, renowned for eradicating even the gravest of sins. It was here, in ancient times, that the venerable sage Vibhaṇḍaka, firm in his spiritual vows, undertook severe penance alongside his disciples, subsisting solely on leaves (v.1-2).
**The Devotees said:**
O Sadguru, we are curious: for what purpose did the steadfast Vibhaṇḍaka perform such penance here? We know that his former dwelling was in the country of Aṅga, and his son, Ṛṣyaśṛṅga, was greatly honored by King Romapāda. Indeed, it is said that King Daśaratha, yearning for a son, also brought Ṛṣyaśṛṅga to perform the Aśvamedha sacrifice. Why then, O Sadguru, did such an eminent sage, a master of his senses, journey to the Drāviḍa country to perform his austerities in this particular place (v.3-5)?
**The Sadguru said:**
Verily, it was through the grace of Ṛṣyaśṛṅga that Śrī Rāma incarnated. Upon hearing of Rāma's advent, the great sage Vibhaṇḍaka, ever firm in his vows, journeyed to Sāketa [Ayodhyā] to behold Him. There, learning of Rāma's exile to the forest, he was overcome with sorrow and set forth for the Daṇḍaka forest, intent on seeing his Lord. As he reached Pañcavaṭī, he heard the distressing news of Sītā's abduction by a Rākṣasa and that Rāghava was tirelessly searching for the lotus-eyed one through every forest. Distraught by the longing for Rāma's sight, the yogi Vibhaṇḍaka wandered through the woods, ceaselessly chanting the Tāraka mantra (v.6-9).
Thereafter, this foremost among sages, in his wanderings, arrived at Vakulāraṇya, nestled near the Nīrācala mountain. The sages residing there informed him that Rāma, accompanied by the army of monkeys, had proceeded to Laṅkā, intent on battle to reclaim Sītā. Vibhaṇḍaka, filled with profound parental affection for Rāma, became exceedingly fearful. He pondered the fearsome deeds of the Rākṣasas and contrasted them with Rāghava, who was the very embodiment of Dharma. "How," he wondered, "will the battle unfold, with Rāma accompanied only by monkeys? How will He slay that cruel-hearted Rāvaṇa? How will He regain Sītā, who must be weeping, 'O Rāma, Rāma'?" He lamented, "Why has such sorrow befallen the wise Rāma? How can His story possibly reach a swift and sweet conclusion [madhurāntakam]?" (v.10-14).
Meanwhile, the wielder of the Koḍaṇḍa bow, having slain the lord of Laṅkā in battle and consecrated His devotee Vibhīṣaṇa as king, joyfully regained the lotus-eyed Sītā. Boarding the Puṣpaka vimāna, He set forth once more for His own city, traversing the aerial path. Mid-journey, perceiving an obstruction to the Puṣpaka's movement, He swiftly descended to earth and arrived at Vakulāraṇya. The foremost of the Raghu clan came to behold the sage Vibhaṇḍaka, who was performing wondrous penance there with other sages. First, the Rākṣasas and monkeys disembarked from the Puṣpaka, followed by Lakṣmaṇa, then Sugrīva and Hanumān. Finally, Rāma, the lotus-eyed Lord, holding Sītā's hand, alighted with her and granted His divine audience to the sage. Seeing Rāma's arrival, the sage Vibhaṇḍaka, filled with joyful excitement, rose with the other sages. He blissfully worshipped the ancient, supreme being, and bowing down, pleased and feeling his life's purpose fulfilled, Vibhaṇḍaka offered his heartfelt praise (v.21-28).
**The Sage said:**
"O Rāma, I know You to be the supreme and knowable Truth, blemishless, without attributes, the One, the Primal Being, who has assumed a human form and engages in divine play. And yet, hearing that sorrow had befallen You, my own mind became afflicted. Therefore, resolving that Your story should indeed have a sweet ending, I undertook this great penance. Now, beholding that Your story has truly reached a sweet conclusion, I am delighted, I am blessed, O consort of Ramā! Here, I have attained Your divine sight, O Rāma, O Lord of the worlds, which I always longed to see. O beloved of Sītā, please grant that for all who receive Your audience here, their stories too may have a sweet ending. For this, O Hari, I implore You to establish Yourself and forever reside here in Your deity form [arcā-vapuṣā]. O consort of Ramā, grant me unwavering devotion at Your pair of lotus feet. I harbor no other desire in my heart, O Rāma, for You know everything, dwelling as You do within the heart of all (v.29-33)."
**The Sadguru said:**
Thus praised, Rāghava, the compassionate Lord of the universe, bowed to the sage Vibhaṇḍaka and then departed once more for His city. Thereafter, the sage Vibhaṇḍaka, along with the other sages, installed a deity-form [arcā-mūrti] of the great-souled Rāghava there and worshipped it daily with joy and profound devotion. That very Vakulāraṇya became the illustrious city of Madhurāntakam, and by the mere presence of Rāma, it became a bestower of supreme happiness. Indeed, by the mere sight of Rāma in the city of Madhurāntakam, the story of even the most sorrowful will assuredly find a sweet ending (v.34-37).
I bow to that foremost of the Raghus, the Lord of the worlds, whose body possesses the dark blue splendor of a raincloud, who holds the Koḍaṇḍa bow, and with His other hand, lovingly and joyfully embraces Sītā, who stands by His side; who, descending from the excellent Puṣpaka vimāna from the sky, stands with great reverence upon the earth, accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa (v.38).
Here ends the twenty-sixth chapter, named 'The Glory of the Vakulāraṇya Kṣetra', in the Second Part of the 'Divyadeśavaibhavam' composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
Thus, he resolved, "May Rāghava swiftly vanquish Rāvaṇa, regain Sītā, return to His city, and reclaim His kingdom. To ensure this outcome, I shall perform a most arduous penance in this very forest. Then, I too shall attain the rare and blessed sight of Rāma." Having thus determined, the king of yogis, the sage Vibhaṇḍaka, along with all the other sages, performed penance in this forest with utmost concentration. Through the great sacrifice of chanting the Tāraka mantra, he worshipped Viṣṇu, Govinda, the very fount of compassion. On the bank of a pond here, these sages of yore, subsisting only on leaves, performed the most severe austerities, desperate for the vision of Rāma. With resolute minds, they constantly chanted "Śrī Rāma, Rāma," dedicating themselves to preparatory rites [puraścaryā] involving japa and homa (v.15-20).
