Chapter summary
मञ्जुलापुरमाहात्म्यम् Mañjulā Pura Māhātmyam
The Glory of Mañjulāpura
**The revered Sadguru said:**
In ancient times, there lived a sage named Medhātithi, a veritable treasury of penance. He undertook a great and severe austerity on the banks of the Maṇimuktā river. (v.1)
His aspiration was profound: "May that same fortune be mine," he resolved, recalling how Kamalā (Lakshmi) became the daughter of Bhṛgu, of the milk ocean, and of King Janaka, and how the Lord became their son-in-law. With unwavering devotion to Govinda, the ascetic performed penance for a long time. (v.2-3)
Pleased by his steadfast devotion, Ramā, the mother of all worlds, manifested herself as Padmā, emerging from a lotus in the sacred pond. The great yogi, his heart filled with delight, took her and presented her to his wife. With abundant love, the great sage tenderly raised the girl. (v.4-5)
The ascetic bestowed upon her the name Vañjulavallī. Day by day, she grew in beauty and grace, just like the moon waxing in the bright fortnight. (v.6)
In song, her voice was like a cuckoo's; in speech, she resembled a myna bird. Her dancing was akin to a peahen's grace, and her gait, the gentle movement of a swan. Her eyes were like a deer's, her thighs like an elephant's trunk, and her waist, slender as a lion's. With eyes like a fish, a back like a tortoise shell, and breasts like the frontal globes of an elephant, she was indeed beautiful. (v.7-8)
Fortunate with a navel like a whirlpool, her lips were the hue of the Bimba fruit, and her tresses, a dark swarm of bees. Her eyebrows curved like delicate creepers, her teeth gleamed like jasmine buds, her forehead shone like the moon, and her smile was ever pure. Her face, a full moon, her form, slender as a streak of lightning, she possessed a golden hue, radiant always like a blossoming lotus. She wore garments as white as a lotus stalk, a girdle adorned with gems and pearls, and a *tilaka* marked with a dot of *sindoor*, ever a treasury of playful arts. (v.9-11)
Indeed, whatever natural beauty is perceived by connoisseurs, all of it was seen in her, for she was none other than the mother of the worlds. (v.12)
When the sage observed that she had reached an age suitable for union with a husband, he became greatly worried, much like a poor man who has lost all his wealth. Resolving in his heart to arrange a *svayamvara* [a self-choice ceremony for a bride], the ascetic respectfully invited the forms of Vishnu residing in the *Divya Deśams* [108 sacred Vishnu temples]. The great sage extended invitations to Śrī Raṅgeśa, Veṅkaṭeśa, Varada, Sundara, Padmanābha, Śārṅgapāṇi, and other revered forms of the Lord. (v.13-15)
All the gods, led by Brahmā and Śiva, arrived there. Suddenly, the Lord of the worlds, in His *Caturvyūha* [fourfold manifestation], also appeared. Saṅkarṣaṇa, Vāsudeva, the lotus-eyed Pradyumna, and the great hero Aniruddha thus came to the *svayamvara*. (v.16-17)
Then, Vañjulavallī, accompanied by her group of friends, bowed to Medhātithi. Having received his permission, she took a garland in her hand and, with eyes stretching to her ears, entered the *svayamvara* hall, adorned with all her ornaments. (v.18-19)
Upon seeing that divinely beautiful maiden, all the gods were infatuated, just as they had been with Ramā herself during the churning of the milk ocean. The divine lady gazed upon all the excellent suitors, the lords of the *Divya Deśams*, and stood for a moment, astonished, contemplating a suitable groom. (v.20-21)
Just then, mounted on Garuḍa, Śrīnivāsa, the Lord of the worlds, the ancient and complete Being, arrived with great haste. Seeing that perfect Being, Ramā (Vañjulavallī), with a joyous heart, placed the garland upon Him, the best of grooms. The sage Medhātithi also gave his daughter in marriage according to the sacred rites. Brahmā, acting as the priest, along with Rudra, respectfully had the entire wedding ceremony performed. (v.22-24)
**Medhātithi said:**
"O Mukunda, O ocean of mercy, the fruit of my eyes has been obtained, surely by Your grace alone. Your vision is indeed very difficult to attain even for gods, demons, and yogis. Surely, You are easily attainable in this world only through devotion. You are of a gentle nature, an ocean of compassion, and cannot be attained by *karma*, nor by the power of penance, nor by renunciation or *yoga*." (v.27-28)
"Indeed, such devotion arises in men only through the company of the good (*satsaṅga*), often by chance. For saints are peaceful, possess an equal disposition, and delight in speaking of Your glories to one another. You shine eternally in the hearts of the good, which are purified merely by the chanting of Your name. Unaware of this truth, some perform very severe penance with firm resolve." (v.29-30)
"To them also, whose souls have become pure, You appear in their sight after a very long time. But You shine forth spontaneously in the heart-lotus of those who have taken refuge in You alone as their Lord. Therefore, I take refuge in Your lotus feet alone for liberation from *saṃsāra*. I do not desire any other state, O lotus-eyed one, neither heaven nor the exalted position of Brahmā." (v.31-32)
**The revered Sadguru said:**
To the sage who was thus praising Him, the Lord, with a gentle smile, bestowed a boon and splendidly resides in this sacred place. Those people in the Kali Yuga who behold Śrīnivāsa in this sacred place will surely have their desires fulfilled very quickly. (v.33-34)
Thus ends the seventeenth chapter, titled "The Glory of Mañjulāpura," in the Third Part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
