Chapter summary
नारायणपुरमाहात्म्यम् Nārāyaṇa Pura Māhātmyam
The Devotees said: O preeminent Guru, you have recounted the glories of the sacred places [Divya Deśams] in the Chola country, where Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the presiding deity. You have also narrated the profound and wondrous glories of the twelve sacred places and others. O revered teacher, we now implore you to reveal the divine glory of Śrīraṅgam (v.1-2).
**The Revered Sadguru said:**
I shall now narrate the supremely wondrous glory of these twelve sacred places, a narration that destroys the gravest sins of all who speak and hear of it (v.3).
These are the sacred sites where the Lord manifests in His various forms: Lord Nārāyaṇa, accompanied by Nara, resides on the bank of Rudra-tīrtha; Lord Vaikuṇṭhanāyaka graces the bank of Utanka-tīrtha; Hari is found at Dhanuṣkoṭi, and Mādhava at Deva-tīrtha; the glorious Puruṣottama is worshipped at Kṣīrābdhi-tīrtha. The compassionate Varada bestows His grace on the bank of Nitya-puṣkariṇī; the red-eyed Śeṣaśāyin reclines on the bank of Sūrya-puṣkariṇī. Hari, the Lord of Maṇikūṭa, is present on the bank of Candra-puṣkariṇī; and Gopāla, beloved of the Gopis, resides at Hemābja-puṣkariṇī. Śrīnivāsa, the Lord of the universe, is on the bank of Śveta-puṣkariṇī; Dvārakeśa Mukunda Pārthasārathi is found on the bank of the Gaṅgā; and Nṛsiṃha is situated at Prahlāda-saras in the Bilva forest (v.4-8).
Who on earth can compare to that fortunate soul who beholds Viṣṇu in His twelve-fold manifestation across these twelve *tīrthas* [sacred water bodies or pilgrimage sites]? Indeed, there is no other sacred place in the entire universe quite like this, where Viṣṇu, the Lord of the worlds, is seen in twelve distinct forms (v.9-10). O best of saints, listen with utmost reverence as I speak of the supreme, meritorious glory of these *tīrthas* in their proper order (v.11).
At the time of creation, from Brahmā were born the mighty eleven great Rudras, endowed with the quality of *tamas* [darkness, inertia, ignorance]. Their names are Manyu, Manu, Mahinasa, Mahān, Śiva, Ṛtadhvaja, Ugraretas, Bhava, Kāla, Vāmadeva, and Dhṛtavrata (v.12-13). These eleven Rudras stand pervading the world, characterized by their matted hair, three eyes, beautiful necks, and tridents in their hands. Manifesting in myriad forms, they dwell with their attendants in trees, in sacred waters, and in mountain caves (v.14-15). In their sport, they would pierce beings with their sharp arrows. Seeing this, Brahmā, the creator and Lord of the worlds, addressed them (v.16).
**Brahma said:**
"Come, O best of gods! Though you are known as Śaṅkara, the benevolent one, yet, O archer, you commit much violence against beings. O Mahādeva, protect the creatures! You are indeed the God of gods. Creatures were created for the sake of sacrifice; they bring about the welfare of the world. Their slaughter is a great sin. Bestow fearlessness, O Śaṅkara! By taking refuge in Viṣṇu, relinquish the quality of *tamas* and embrace *sattva* [goodness, purity]" (v.17-19).
**The Revered Sadguru said:**
Thus addressed by Brahmā, Rudra came to the Chola country. Going to the confluence of the Kāverī, he dwelt always in Śvetāraṇya and worshipped the Lord Nara-Nārāyaṇa (v.20). The Lord God Nārāyaṇa, accompanied by Nara and attended by hosts of sages, granted them His divine *darśan* [auspicious sight of a deity or holy person] (v.21). The Lord Hari, God Nārāyaṇa Himself, came from Badarikāśrama to the southern country, having ascended the divine chariot named *Praṇava*, drawn by the finest steeds embodying the four Vedas, to bestow His divine vision upon the Rudras (v.22-23). Therefore, this great sacred place is known as the Badarīvana (Badrinath) of the South, where the Lord Nārāyaṇa resides with Nara (v.24).
The eleven great Rudras worshipped the Lord God Nārāyaṇa, Vāsudeva, each with profound devotion (v.25). Consequently, the Lord God Nārāyaṇa graciously manifests in eleven distinct forms within separate shrines (v.26). This form named Nārāyaṇa, directly worshipped by Rudra himself, is the supreme, original form among all of Viṣṇu's manifestations (v.27). The spiritual inertia of one who bathes in Rudra-tīrtha and daily worships the Lord God Nārāyaṇa is utterly dispelled (v.28). Bathing in Rudra-tīrtha and worshipping Nara-Nārāyaṇa is supremely auspicious, eradicating sins as grave as the killing of a *brāhmaṇa* [a member of the priestly class] (v.29).
This supreme, self-manifested Badarī-kṣetra of the South—unfortunate souls who fail to behold it are indeed foolish (v.30). For those unable to journey to the northern Badarīvana, the ocean of compassion, ever affectionate to His devotees, has Himself come here, having ascended the *Praṇava* chariot to grant His *darśan* to His devotees (v.31).
Thus ends the thirty-first chapter, named 'The Glory of Narayanapuram', in the Third Part of the Divyadesavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
