Chapter summary
तञ्जपुरमाहात्म्यम् Tañja Pura Māhātmyam
The Glory of Tanjapura
**The Sadguru said:**
In the ancient Dvāpara Yuga, the venerable sage Parāśara journeyed to the banks of the sacred Kāverī, intending to perform penance for a time. Discovering a vast forest there, he established an excellent hermitage, where he respectfully gathered and settled his disciples. Becoming the revered head of these pure-souled sages, he diligently instructed them in the principles of dharma, guiding them not only through teachings but also through the profound example of his own austere penance. (v.1-3)
For many thousands of years, these ascetics, deeply devoted to various yogic paths, performed their penances under the leadership of Parāśara. Some stood amidst the five fires, enduring their scorching heat; others remained submerged in water; some perched on trees, while still others dwelt directly upon the bare earth. Their practices were diverse: some engaged in profound yoga, others performed elaborate sacrifices, some chanted sacred mantras (japa), and many devoted themselves to the diligent study of the scriptures. There were those who performed mental worship, and others who delivered spiritual discourses. In these myriad ways, all the sages undertook truly great penances. Furthermore, they constructed a temple for Lord Viṣṇu, magnificent as the legendary Mani-parvata [a jewel mountain], and there they worshipped the Supreme Person with utmost reverence. (v.4-8)
However, a severe and unbearable drought once afflicted that hermitage, leading to a devastating famine. Animals and birds perished, the ground became barren of grass, and the trees shed their leaves. Rivers, lakes, and wells all dried up, devoid of water. Consequently, the ascetics fell ill and grew exceedingly weak, their hearts heavy with sorrow, rendering them unable to continue their penances. (v.9-11)
Moved by a desire to protect them, the great-minded Parāśara, empowered by his ascetic might, ascended to heaven. There, he obtained a pot of nectar and began his return journey to earth. En route, the mighty Indra, accompanied by all the gods, swiftly appeared and obstructed the venerable sage. (v.12-13)
**Indra said:**
"O best of sages, where do you hasten, surreptitiously taking this nectar? It is the supreme treasure of the gods, born from the churning of the milk ocean! This nectar is truly meant for the gods alone, never for others. It is difficult even for the Asuras to obtain, so what to speak of mere mortals?" (v.14-15)
**Parāśara said:**
"O Pākaśāsana [Indra], the entire world is suffering from a terrible drought. I intend to revive the dying ascetics there with this very nectar today. Do not grieve, O great-minded one, for the lives of the virtuous are always dedicated to the welfare of others." (v.16-17)
**The Sadguru said:**
Thus addressed, all the gods, though agitated by the fear of the sage's curse, yet desiring to seize the nectar, followed him. The sage Parāśara quickly descended to the earth's surface and secretly placed the pot of nectar within the hermitage's lake. (v.18-19)
By the potent power of the nectar, great clouds gathered and poured down rain. All the people, as well as the animals and birds, became healthy and strong once more. Crops flourished, and trees became laden with fruit. In a short time, the entire region became abundant with food. The sages, their distress now gone, resumed their penances as before, and their guru, Parāśara, attained immense joy. (v.20-22)
Learning that the sage had secretly placed the nectar in the hermitage pond, all the hosts of demons arrived, intent on stealing it. Seeing these formidable demons, the frightened sages fled into the forest. At that moment, the sage Parāśara began to praise the Lotus-Seated One, Brahmā. (v.23-24)
**Parāśara said:**
"Salutations to You, from whom the Vedas are born! Salutations to the Supreme Being! Salutations to You, the Self-Born! Salutations, O Lotus-Seated One! You alone are the Lord of the worlds, the controller of both gods and asuras. O Lord, swiftly pacify these demons and protect the Brāhmaṇas!" (v.25-26)
**Brahmā said:**
"I am merely the creator; I do not possess the capacity for destruction. You should seek refuge in Hara [Śiva], for he is the agent of destruction." (v.27)
**The Sadguru said:**
Thus instructed by Brahmā, the great sage Parāśara immediately took refuge in Īśvara [Śiva] to quell the demons. (v.28)
**Parāśara said:**
"Salutations to the Blue-Throated One! Salutations to the one whose banner bears the bull! Salutations to You, O Mahādeva! Salutations to the one who holds the trident! Salutations to the Death of Death! Salutations to the Conqueror of Death! Salutations to You, Vīrabhadra, the destroyer of Dakṣa's sacrifice! Protect all these ascetics who are afflicted by the asuras. Salutations to You, Mahākāla! Salutations to You, Mahābhairava!" (v.29-31)
**Rudra said:**
"I, Śiva, united with Śakti, destroy the three worlds. Yet, in this world, when I am devoid of Śakti, they consider me the attributeless Supreme. You should therefore take refuge in Śakti, the slayer of Mahiṣāsura. She is indeed capable of destroying all the asuras." (v.32-33)
**The Sadguru said:**
Thus instructed by Maheśa, the sage Parāśara again took refuge in Śakti, the slayer of Mahiṣāsura. (v.34)
**Parāśara said:**
"O auspicious one of all that is auspicious, O Śivā, fulfiller of all purposes! O refuge of all, three-eyed Goddess, Nārāyaṇī, salutations to You! Salutations to You, Mother of the worlds! Salutations, O Daughter of the Mountain! Salutations to You, Dākṣāyaṇī! Salutations, O beloved of Śiva! Having destroyed all the demons, grant us fearlessness, O Vaiṣṇavī, who wields the conch, discus, mace, spear, sword, and goad!" (v.35-37)
**The Devī said:**
"I am but the Yogic Sleep (Yoganidrā) of Viṣṇu, who reclines upon the serpent. O best of sages, I am not independent to destroy the demons by myself. Śakti [power] engages in action only by depending on a powerful being (Puruṣa). Without a wielder of power, power itself has no independence. Therefore, take refuge in the all-powerful Hari, the ancient Supreme Person. Lord Hari will surely grant you well-being." (v.38-40)
**The Sadguru said:**
Thus instructed by the Goddess Durgā, the sage Parāśara again took refuge in Hari, the powerful one, the ultimate shelter. (v.41)
**Parāśara said:**
"O God of gods, O all-pervading one, wielder of the conch, discus, and mace! You alone are the controller of all gods and demons. You alone are the creator, destroyer, and protector of the universe. Even Brahmā and the great Lord Rudra remain under Your control. This divine Māyā, the slayer of Mahiṣāsura, is Your own sleep, O Govinda, and she always remains under Your command. For the sake of destroying these demons, please abandon Your Yogic Sleep. For the welfare of the world, O Govinda, I pray again and again." (v.42-45)
**The Sadguru said:**
Thus implored by the sage, the son of Śakti [Parāśara], Viṣṇu impelled His own Māyā to bring about the destruction of the demons. That Durgā, Mahākālī, the slayer of Mahiṣāsura, forcefully annihilated the demons led by Tañjaka. (v.46-47)
However, the great sage Śukrācārya revived all those asuras again with the water from the lake. Due to the placement of the pot of nectar, the water in the entire lake had become nectarous, and by its power, the demons were brought back to life. Suddenly risen, all of them, eager to fight and armed with weapons, surrounded the Goddess, the slayer of Mahiṣāsura. Seeing her exhausted and the asuras once more eager for battle, the sage Parāśara again took refuge in Viṣṇu. (v.48-51)
**Parāśara said:**
"O Supreme Person, I consider every other means futile. You alone are the means and also the end, O Lord of the universe. You alone are the eternal, everlasting nectar, there is no doubt. By Your grace alone, supreme happiness comes to humanity in this world. What is the use of this nectar placed in the lake today, on account of which this anxiety-and-fear-inducing battle has occurred here? Therefore, O Supreme Lord, having taken this pot of nectar, please place it in the middle of the temple. For our protection, You should always be present here. What use are other means, O God, when You, the ultimate protector, are here to safeguard us?" (v.52-56)
**The Sadguru said:**
Thus praised, the great Viṣṇu, assuming the form of Śrī Narasimha, playfully slew that mighty hero, the asura Tañjāsura. Then, the Lord, having become peaceful, with a form like a blue cloud, granted His divine vision, accompanied by Śrī and Bhūmi. Out of compassion, Viṣṇu then gave the nectar to the gods, and Hari placed the great pot back in the ocean as before. (v.57-59)
He Himself, in the form of an archā-avatāra [an iconic manifestation], becoming the very nectar for His devotees, shines forth in the city of Tañjapura, as Janārdana, the God of gods. Merely by seeing Him, all humans become free from old age and disease, just as if they had drunk nectar. (v.60-61)
Thus ends the sixth chapter, named "The Glory of Tanjapura," in the Third Part of the Divya Deśa Vaibhavam [a work extolling the glories of the 108 sacred Viṣṇu temples], composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
