Chapter summary
नागपुरमाहात्म्यम् Nāga Pura Māhātmyam
Śrī Sadguru said: In ancient times, Mātali, the mighty charioteer of Devendra, embarked upon a quest to find a suitable groom for his daughter, Guṇakeśī. He journeyed far and wide, traversing the realms of Devas, Gandharvas, and Kinnaras, but finding no one truly fitting, he grew weary and at last arrived at the city of Bhogavatī. (v.1-2)
There, his gaze fell upon Vāsuki, the king of the Nāgas, and his son, Sumukha. Mātali was exceedingly pleased, deeming Sumukha a most worthy suitor. However, the Nāga king Vāsuki, seeing Mātali approach, was overcome with sorrow and spoke with a voice choked with emotion. (v.3-4)
**Vāsuki said:**
"O charioteer of the Devas, I speak the truth, so please heed my words. I fear my son is destined for a short life, constantly threatened by the king of birds, Garuḍa. (v.5)
Garuḍa ever seeks to slay my son at his whim. The king of birds is mighty, while my son is frail. O wisest among the discerning, I beg you to consider what is appropriate and act accordingly." (v.6)
**Śrī Sadguru said:**
Upon hearing this, Mātali returned to heaven, deeply distressed. He recounted the entire sorrowful tale to Śakra [Indra], the lord of the gods. Mātali earnestly prayed for *amṛta* [the nectar of immortality] to be bestowed upon Sumukha, but Indra, the lord of the Suras, adamantly refused to grant the nectar in any manner. (v.7-8)
Afflicted by this profound sorrow, Vāsuki, the lord of serpents, lamented: "The ancient gods themselves obtained the nectar by binding me to Mount Mandara, yet they will not grant that very nectar to my son!" Abandoning all other efforts, he sought refuge with the sage Nārada. (v.9-10)
Nārada, moved by compassion, journeyed to Sumukha, the son of the Nāga king. Desiring to extend his lifespan, the sage spoke sweet and encouraging words. (v.11)
**Nārada said:**
"Go and take refuge in Viṣṇu, who is Nārāyaṇa, the very ocean of mercy. He is the bestower of *amṛta* upon the gods and is ever affectionate to those who seek His shelter. (v.12)
He is the ultimate refuge for the distressed, the supreme goal for the afflicted, and the highest friend of the lowly—He is Janārdana, the God of gods. (v.13)
Know that the mighty king of birds, Garuḍa, is His divine vehicle. Indeed, Viṣṇu, the foremost among the powerful, is the sustainer of all the worlds. (v.14)
He is the auspiciousness of all that is auspicious, the greatness of the great. He is the very principle of principles, and the truth of all truths. (v.15)
That Nārāyaṇa, known as Brahman, is eternal and knowable through the Vedas. There is truly no other path; take refuge in Him alone." (v.16)
**Śrī Sadguru said:**
Thus instructed by Nārada, Sumukha, the son of Vāsuki, undertook severe penance on the shore of the eastern sea. (v.17)
Then, the glorious Lord Hari, known as Sundararāja, bearing His conch, discus, and mace, arrived there, mounted upon Garuḍa. (v.18)
Garuḍa, the lord of birds, beholding Sumukha engaged in such profound penance, was instantly filled with compassion. (v.19)
Then Viṣṇu, with a gentle smile, spoke to Garuḍa, while also consoling the humble Nāga Sumukha, who stood before Him with folded hands. (v.20)
**The Lord said:**
"O serpent, take refuge in the mighty Vainateya [Garuḍa], who is the very soul of the Vedas, the king of birds, and who is Himself the means of valid knowledge (*pramāṇa*). (v.21)
You are the knower (*pramātā*), I am the object of knowledge (*prameya*), and Garuḍa Himself is the means of knowledge (*pramāṇa*). Without Him, My vision is difficult for all living beings to obtain. (v.22)
Therefore, after bowing to Garuḍa, My vision should be sought. Only then am I pleased; I shall surely be a bestower of boons, of this there is no doubt. (v.23)
The king of Nāgas, Ādiśeṣa, is My couch, and Garuḍa is My vehicle. It is by My vehicle alone that I travel everywhere throughout the three worlds. (v.24)
Therefore, O serpent, go for refuge to Garuḍa, My vehicle. Attaining a long life, live happily." (v.25)
Turning to His mount, the Lord continued, "O Garuḍa, you must always protect this serpent who has surrendered to you. Enmity should never be shown towards those who have taken refuge. (v.26)
One who has surrendered, even if distressed, must be protected even by giving up one's own life. The fault in abandoning a surrendered soul is clearly established in the scriptures. (v.27)
Indeed, he alone surrenders to Me who surrenders to My devotee. I Myself always and in every way protect the devotee of My devotee." (v.28)
**Śrī Sadguru said:**
Having spoken thus, Lord Viṣṇu gently lifted the surrendered Sumukha with His toe and placed him upon Garuḍa's shoulder. (v.29)
Garuḍa, the king of birds, seeing Sumukha—now purified by the touch of the Lord's sacred foot and thus transformed into the best of Vaiṣṇavas—personally granted him fearlessness. (v.30)
And Mātali, understanding that this profound friendship was ordained by Viṣṇu Himself, lovingly bestowed his daughter, Guṇakeśī, upon Sumukha. (v.31)
This is that supreme sacred place, renowned as Nāgapaṭṭaṇam [Nagapattinam], a revered *Divya Deśam* [one of the 108 sacred abodes of Viṣṇu], in which Sundararāja, the Lord of Lakṣmī, eternally resides. (v.32)
It was by taking refuge in this Sundararājendra that the serpent Sumukha formerly attained supreme happiness and a long life. (v.33)
They have no fear of enemies, nor do they have fear of death, in whose hearts resides Lord Viṣṇu of beautiful form. (v.34)
By seeing Sundararājendra Viṣṇu, who is situated in Nāgapura, one is freed from all diseases and from the affliction of poison. (v.35)
One also obtains a virtuous wife, suitable and befitting one's family, by seeing Viṣṇu in Nāgapura, just as the serpent Sumukha did. (v.36)
Thus ends the twenty-third chapter, titled "The Glory of Nāgapura," in the Third Volume of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
