Chapter summary
भास्करक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यम् Bhāskara Kṣetra Māhātmyam
The revered Sadguru said: Once, at the dawn of a new cosmic age, during the periodic dissolution known as *naimittika pralaya*, the entire world was submerged in water, appearing as a vast, boundless ocean. In this deluge, all the revered sages, finding no dry land or place of refuge, grew weary, sorrowful, and filled with deep anxiety. (v.1-2)
Desiring a high place where they might find sanctuary, they reverently placed a pot (*kumbha*) upon the great waters, watching with anticipation to see where it would come to rest. When the pot finally settled at a particular spot, the sages, greatly delighted, swiftly made their way to that very location. (v.3-4)
Upon reaching this elevated ground, the sages, deeply devoted to the worship of Shiva, fashioned a *liṅga* of sand and performed the prescribed rites of worship. Thus, the great Lord Mahādeva, known as Ādikumbheśvara, accompanied by Pārvatī, protected these great sages during the dissolution, on the auspicious full moon day when the sun resided in the sign of Kumbha (Aquarius). (v.5-6)
To bring about the welfare of the world, which lay submerged in the waters of dissolution, all the sages devoutly prayed to Ambikā. By the grace of Ambikā, as the dissolution subsided, the world's well-being was restored. Henceforth, she became known as Maṅgalāmbikā, the Auspicious Mother. Having established Maṅgalāmbikā in a sacred Śakti Pīṭha, all the sages, together with Kumbheśvara, offered her their profound praises. (v.7-9)
**The Sages said:**
Salutations to you, O Mother of all worlds! Salutations to you, O Dākṣāyaṇī! Salutations to you, O Gaurī, O Kalyāṇī! Salutations to you, O daughter of the mountain! (v.10)
Indeed, Shiva, only when united with Śakti, becomes the Lord of the universe. Without your presence, O Goddess, even the Lord himself becomes powerless. The supreme power that animates all beings, from Brahmā down to the individual souls, we know that to be none other than you, O Śaṅkarī. Such is the immensity of your glory. (v.11-12)
We worship you as Brāhmī, Māheśvarī, and Vaiṣṇavī; as Vārāhī, Nārasimhī, and Māhendrī, the supreme and auspicious one. We bow to Vaināyakī and Kaumārī, who embody the essence of all gods, the supreme power, the slayer of the demon Mahiṣa. O you who bear the conch, discus, mace, sword, trident, and javelin! We bow to you, O Goddess Durgā, the bestower of fearlessness upon us. (v.13-15)
O Goddess, seated in the Yoga Pīṭha, the very embodiment of Yoga Śakti! O great Goddess, accomplish all perfections for us. You are the very form of all auspiciousness, the giver of all that is propitious. Therefore, in the world and in the Vedas, you are renowned by the name Sarvamaṅgalā. O source of all auspiciousness, O Śivā, who accomplishes all purposes! O refuge, O three-eyed one, O Goddess, O Nārāyaṇī, salutations to you! (v.16-18)
**The revered Sadguru said:**
Having thus worshipped the goddess Sarvamaṅgalā, the sages made their abode right there in the forest on the banks of the sacred Kaveri. For those who behold Shambhu Ādikumbheśvara and Ambikā Sarvamaṅgalā in this sacred Kumbakonam, all auspiciousness unfailingly arises. (v.19-20)
Thus ends the eleventh chapter, titled "The Glory of Bhāskara Kṣetra," in the Third Part of the Divya Desa Vaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
