Chapter summary
सुगन्धवनमाहात्म्यम् Sugandha Vana Māhātmyam
The Glory of Sugandhavana
**The revered Sadguru said:**
The preceptor of the gods, Bṛhaspati, had a wife renowned as Tārā. She was endowed with divine youthfulness and possessed a beauty so profound it could enchant the entire world. (v.1) Though Candra [the Moon-god], the lord, knew what was righteous, his mind became fixed upon her. He found himself unable to bring his intellect, so deeply attached to Tārā, under his own control. (v.2)
Indeed, stealing gold, drinking liquor, intercourse with the guru's wife, falsehood, and violence towards living beings are considered the five great sins. (v.3) For those guilty of such grave transgressions, hell is assuredly the fruit. Yet, despite knowing this, Candra developed an intense affection for his guru's wife. (v.4)
And Tārā, the guru's wife, upon beholding the exceedingly handsome Candra, strayed from her own dharma. Of her own free will, she met Candra in secret at night. (v.5) As days passed in this manner, Tārā and Śaśāṅka [another name for Candra], consumed by longing and sporting together daily, became oblivious to the world around them. (v.6) Lust, without doubt, deludes the hearts of mortals, robbing them of shame, fear of public censure, and all faith in the sacred scriptures. (v.7)
Bṛhaspati, searching for his wife, was greatly distressed. Eventually, he went to the assembly of Brahmā, the lord of the worlds, and reported the entire matter. (v.8) Brahmā summoned Candra, chastised him severely, had Tārā released, and returned her to her guru. (v.9)
Then Bṛhaspati, realizing Tārā was pregnant, became enraged. He confronted the ashamed Tārā, demanding, "From whom is this embryo conceived? Tell me!" (v.10) Frightened, she slowly replied, "This embryo was conceived from Candra, who is enchanting to the world." Having spoken thus, she gave birth to a child, Budha. (v.11)
Seeing his son Budha, Candra joyfully accepted him. But the guru, Bṛhaspati, cursed Candra, declaring, "May you be afflicted with the wasting disease [consumption]!" (v.12) Consequently, Candra began to wane day by day due to the disease. Then, fearing death, he went and sought refuge with his guru. (v.13)
**Candra said:**
O Lord, this is undoubtedly the fruit of my own sin. Nevertheless, out of your mercy, tell me the remedy, O Prabhu! (v.14) Though I knew it was a great sin to associate with my guru's wife, it was done through the delusion of my intellect. Forgive me, O ocean of compassion! (v.15)
**Bṛhaspati said:**
A sin committed, whether knowingly or unknowingly, is extremely difficult to bear. Association with another's wife is bad enough; what then to say of the guru's wife? (v.16) You were proud, thinking, "I am full of beauty, I am young," and thus you committed this sin, this offense against me, O Kalādhara [Candra, 'bearer of digits']. (v.17)
You must certainly suffer the fruit of this great sin. However, being pleased with your prostration, I shall also tell you a remedy. (v.18) There is a supreme sacred place, renowned as Sugandhavana, situated on the banks of the Sahyajātī [the river Kāverī], and worshipped by all the gods. (v.19) By worshipping Viṣṇu there, who is adored by the king of gods, you will be freed from the wasting disease, even though you are guilty of a great sin. (v.20) Nevertheless, to make my words come true, O wicked-minded one, you shall experience waning and waxing again and again in each of the two fortnights. (v.21)
**The revered Sadguru said:**
Thus addressed, Mṛgāṅka [Candra] came to the bank of the Kāverī and worshipped Viṣṇu, who resides in Sugandhavana. (v.22) Pleased by Candra's penance, Hari, the remover of all sins, came into his line of sight and, as the Lord, granted him fearlessness. (v.23) Candra beheld the Lord whose lotus-face bore a gentle smile, whose form was dark as a cloud, who held the conch and discus, and who is ever affectionate to those who seek refuge. (v.24) Directly beholding the Lord of Śrī, with the Śrīvatsa mark on His chest and wearing the brilliant Kaustubha gem on His neck, Candra joyfully took refuge in Him. (v.25) To him, who was afflicted by his guru's curse and his own sin and had sought refuge, Kṛṣṇa, the lotus-eyed ocean of mercy, spoke. (v.26)
**The Supreme Lord said:**
There is no other sin greater than touching another's wife. From that sin, this wasting disease has arisen; there is no doubt. (v.27) For people who are filled with remorse and with the fear of sin, the true atonement is certainly the chanting of My name. (v.28) You are freed from your sin and from the curse by the word of your guru, by the glory of Sugandhavana [a Divya Deśam, a sacred abode of Viṣṇu], and also by your worship of Me here. (v.29)
**The revered Sadguru said:**
Thus addressed by the Lord, Candra, the possessor of full digits, became pleased in his soul, attained the heavens, and shone as before. (v.30) For all people who devotedly behold the Lord of the Worlds in this sacred place, the wasting disease is destroyed. (v.31) Even one guilty of a great sin, by seeing Viṣṇu who resides in Sugandhavana for but a moment, becomes free from all sins. (v.32)
Thus the twenty-ninth chapter, titled "The Glory of Sugandhavana," in the Third Part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
