Chapter summary
सङ्गमक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यम् Saṅgama Kṣetra Māhātmyam
The Glory of Sangama-kshetra
**The Sadguru said:**
In former times, there lived a royal sage named Nandaka, a great ascetic, whose wife, Sushila, was ever devoted to her husband. This great sage Nandaka had a daughter, Nandini, who was not only endowed with beauty and youth but also possessed a gentle and virtuous character. (v.1-2)
One day, accompanied by her friends, Nandini went to bathe in the Sahyaja river, singing a sweet song as they journeyed. She beheld the river, teeming with swans and ducks, its waves scattering pearls, its banks adorned with lush lotus groves and verdant trees. Seeing this enchanting sight, Nandini, with her friends, was filled with delight; they descended into the pure waters and engaged in joyful sports. (v.3-5)
It was then that Sumukha, a Chola king, wandering in the vicinity on a hunting expedition, arrived, parched with thirst. He quickly came upon the sage's daughter and her companions. Seeing Nandini amidst her friends, the king himself descended into the water and joyfully sported with them. Overcome by desire, the king engaged in intimacy with the maidens. Frightened, they all quickly fled the water and ran away. However, the Chola king seized Nandini, the sage's daughter, and, afflicted by passion, sported with her alone in many ways for a very long time. (v.6-9)
Having been forcefully enjoyed and then abandoned by the king, she returned to her hermitage, weeping with shame. The girl went to her father and, with profound sorrow, narrated all that had transpired. The royal sage, reflecting with a pure mind, did not succumb to anger, nor did he curse the king. Instead, he consoled his daughter, repeatedly affirming that it was simply destiny. (v.10-12)
Nandini, having experienced this chance union with the king, considered him her husband and wept again and again, remembering him. Seeing his daughter emaciated by separation and yearning to be reunited with her husband, Nandaka, moved by compassion, pondered the situation once more. (v.13-14)
Bringing his daughter, he went to the king's court. Yet, the Chola king, feigning ignorance, offered no word of welcome to the two. Nevertheless, the yogi Nandaka, ever mindful of his duty, the sage who cherished Nandini, spoke to Sumukha with gentle words: "O King, surely you have forgotten your unrestrained deed, performed in private. This is Nandini, my daughter, who is now your beloved. You have taken her hand-lotus by the Gandharva rite of marriage [a spontaneous union based on mutual attraction, often without formal ceremonies]. Do not abandon her, O great king. You who know dharma [righteous conduct], please practice dharma." (v.15-18)
**The King Sumukha said:**
"Who are you, a miserable ascetic? And where am I, the king of the Chola land? There can never be any connection between us, O sage. You have brought your daughter in vain and approached me so freely. Speaking thus, you are shameless and deserve to be punished by my command." (v.19-20)
**The Sadguru said:**
Addressed thus, Nandaka, seeing Nandini weeping profusely, became angry, yet at the same time, was pained with compassion. (v.21)
**The Sage said:**
"O pride of your family, by transgressing my authority and sporting with the king, you have brought sorrow upon yourself. Now, go and take refuge in your husband. Such is indeed the misfortune of maidens who act on their own whim; the story of Shakuntala serves as a sufficient example of this. Since you transgressed me and went to King Sumukha, I abandon you today. Your husband alone is your refuge." (v.22-24)
**The Sadguru said:**
Having spoken thus, Nandaka, angered and rejected by the king, abandoned his daughter right there and returned to his own hermitage. The faultless Nandini, though she pleaded time and again, was abandoned by the foolish king. She wept like a Chakori bird [a bird fabled to pine for its mate or the moon]. (v.25-26)
Desiring to give up her life, she came to the bank of the Sahyaja river. There, in His temple, she saw Govinda, the Protector of the World (Jagadrakshaka). Reaching the presence of Kṛṣṇa, with her lotus-hands outstretched, beating her head piteously, she lamented in great sorrow. (v.27-28)
**Nandini said:**
"O Jagadrakshaka, O Govinda, O You with eyes like lotus petals! Protect me, an orphan, wretched and miserable, O best of protectors! When You are my protector, O Deva, what use are other protectors, O Lord? You alone protect me, O Kṛṣṇa, O Jagadrakshaka, O Keshava! I have been abandoned by my husband, father, mother, and all relatives. I take refuge in You alone, the compassionate protector of the distressed." (v.29-31)
"O Lord of the universe, a great sin was committed by me unknowingly. I was forcefully enjoyed and then abandoned by the king. You know everything, O Omniscient One; You are indeed the controller of all. You alone command me, O Deva. I am under Your control, O Janārdana. Having reached Your presence, O Master, O Jagadrakshaka, O Mādhava, I attain peace, O Govinda. Do as You wish." (v.32-34)
"You alone are my mother and father; You alone are my brother and kinsman. You are the husband of all the worlds; my burden of protection is placed on You. I do not blame my husband, nor my father or mother. I alone am to be blamed, wicked and self-willed as I am. Forgive this offense committed by me out of ignorance. Forgetting my sin, grant me auspiciousness, O Lord." (v.35-37)
**The Sadguru said:**
Learning of the girl weeping thus through a disciple, Nandaka immediately brought her back and consoled her with respect. Thereafter, the miserable girl lived near her father. Day after day, she went to the holy presence of Jagadrakshaka. She would draw Rangoli patterns [decorative floor designs], clean the temple, light the lamps, and string flower garlands. She passed her time happily, absorbed in singing Kṛṣṇa's praises, performing service to Kṛṣṇa along with her friends. (v.38-41)
One day, the Chola king Sumukha came to the temple to have the darshan [sacred viewing] of Govinda and saw the beautiful-faced lady there. Remembering his past deeds, filled with remorse, he himself went to her and consoled the beautiful one. Bringing Nandini with him and having the darshan of Jagadrakshaka, the king, with his eyes full of tears, praised Keshava with devotion. Nandini, seeing her husband's devotion to Vishnu, was delighted. Remembering the compassion of Jagadrakshaka, she attained peace. (v.42-45)
The great king, along with her, went to the sage Nandaka, begged for forgiveness, and bowed down humbly with folded hands. The best of sages, thinking, "This is indeed Kṛṣṇa's divine play," sent his daughter with King Sumukha. The couple, returning to their kingdom, lived happily. Nandaka, free from worry, served Keshava always. (v.46-48)
This place is indeed Sangama-kshetra [the field of union], which truly brings about reunion for couples who, due to the fault of time, have suffered separation here. By seeing Jagadrakshaka Achyuta in Sangama-kshetra, relatives who have gone to distant lands indeed come back again. (v.49-50)
Thus ends the Seventh Chapter, named "The Glory of Sangama-kshetra", in the Third Part of the Divyadesavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
