Chapter summary
नन्दिपुरमाहात्म्यम् Nandi Pura Māhātmyam
The Glory of Nandipura
**The revered Sadguru said:**
Upon the beautiful peak of Kailasa, eternally worshipped by hosts of gods, teeming with herds of various animals and filled with flocks of diverse birds, moistened by the waters of the Mandakini, and attended by throngs of great sages, stood a majestic Banyan tree. At its base, adorned with Śamyaka, Bilva, Mandāra, Pāṭala, and Aśoka trees, was seated the Lord of the Universe, the great Lord Maheśvara. He was in the heroic posture (Vīrāsana), clad in a tiger's skin, his form like pure crystal. A serpent served as his sacred thread, his matted locks bore the crescent moon, his throat was blue, and he was the beloved husband of Umā. (v.1-4)
All the sages, having bowed before him with profound devotion, sat down and engaged in a deep discussion on the knowledge of Brahman. "What is Brahman? What is the great element? What is the ultimate cause of the universe? What is the imperishable, which is beyond the Guṇas?" — such were the profound questions they deliberated upon. (v.5-6)
Then, Vyāsa, who was learned in all scriptures, arrived there and, in that assembly of Brahman-knowers, spoke a clear and resounding statement. He declared, "Truly, truly, and again truly, I declare with upraised arm: there is no scripture greater than the Veda, and no god greater than Keśava! Having churned all the scriptures and reflected upon them again and again, this one conclusion is well-established: Nārāyaṇa alone should always be meditated upon." (v.7-9)
Beholding the sage making this solemn oath with his arm upraised, Nandikeśa, the foremost among Śiva's devotees, paralyzed that very arm. Nandīśa vehemently declared that praising another deity in the immediate presence of Maheśvara was an unpardonable sin. (v.10-11)
Thereupon, Maheśvara, Śambhu, the wielder of the Pināka bow, the Guru of all worlds, who is himself deeply devoted to meditating on Vishnu, spoke angrily to his bull-vehicle. (v.12)
**The great Lord Maheśvara said:**
"Nārāyaṇa is the Supreme Brahman, as evidenced by the words of the Śrutis. Vyāsa has indeed spoken the truth, and I, too, affirm the same. Hari alone, the Lord, should always be meditated upon by sages who desire liberation, who are endowed with knowledge and dispassion, and who are supreme and exclusive devotees (Paramaikāntins). Not understanding this profound truth, you, with your childish intellect, have committed an offense, O Nandin, against Vyāsa, the speaker of Brahman. You are insolent, wicked, stubborn, and averse to Nārāyaṇa. I cast you out, O king of bulls! Go forth from here immediately!" (v.13-16)
**The revered Sadguru said:**
Seeing the Lord of Gaurī speak thus, the divine sage, Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa, spoke sweet and gentle words. (v.17)
**Vyāsa said:**
"O God of gods, great Lord, three-eyed one, Guru of the worlds! Vishnu is your very heart, and you are the heart of Vishnu. In reality, there is not even a trace of difference between you two. People who are averse to the true meaning of the scriptures do not know this truth. This Nandikeśa, of great intellect, is the very embodiment of Dharma. It was only due to his firm devotion to you that he committed this sin against me. Therefore, forgive, O Lord Śambhu, the sin of your vehicle. Grant him release from the curse, for he is humble and distressed." (v.18-21)
**The revered Sadguru said:**
With his heart greatly pleased by these words of Vyāsa, the Lord Maheśvara lovingly consoled Nandin. (v.22)
**The great Lord Maheśvara said:**
"O Nandikeśa, most fortunate one, do not grieve, O great-minded one. Pleased by the words of Vyāsa, listen to this statement of mine. Go quickly from here to the earth, and by performing the worship of Vishnu with devotion and faith, you will be purified of this sin. Thereafter, having returned here, you may once again perform service for me on the beautiful peak of Kailasa, just as before. Let it be known that those undiscerning people who revile Vishnu or the Vaishnavas, even if they are my devotees, are fools and are indeed traitors to me as well." (v.23-26)
**The revered Sadguru said:**
Thus addressed by Maheśvara, the wielder of the Pināka, Nandikeśa went to the bank of the Maṇimuktā river near Kumbhakoṇam. There, having worshipped Lord Śrīnātha with profound devotion, he regained the abode of Śambhu. This sacred place, widely renowned by the name Śrīmannandipuram [one of the 108 Divya Deśams, sacred Vishnu temples], removes all sins and shines on earth like Vaikuṇṭha itself. By serving Lord Śrīnātha there, one attains all auspiciousness. (v.27-28)
Thus ends the fifteenth chapter, entitled "The Glory of Nandipura," in the Third Volume of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
