Chapter summary
देवबृन्दपुरमाहात्म्यम् Devabṛnda Pura Māhātmyam
The Glory of Devabṛndapura
**The Sadguru said:**
Once, all the gods convened, pondering a profound question: "How might we easily obtain a vision of Mādhava?" Among them were Brahmā, Rudra, Śakra (Indra), Vāyu, Agni, Yama, the two Aśvins, the Viśvedevas, the Sādhyas, and the hosts of Maruts. Gathered together, these divine beings sought a simple path to behold Acyuta, who is otherwise difficult for even the gods to perceive. (v.1-3)
**The Gods said:**
"Though we are established in our official capacities, created by Acyuta, a direct vision of Viṣṇu remains elusive for us. We are unable to reach that supreme abode of Viṣṇu, where the Sūris [eternally liberated souls] perpetually behold the eternal Lord. Even when we manage to journey to the Milk Ocean, Viṣṇu's dwelling, we do not behold the imperishable Viṣṇu as we desire. The self-controlled yogis perceive Him within the space of their hearts, but we possess no such spiritual power. (v.4-7) Blessed indeed are all the monkeys and the cowherd boys, for whom even the Supreme Brahman became easily accessible! O gods, even after attaining sacred realms through countless meritorious deeds, we remain ignorant of Viṣṇu's true nature. Of what avail then is our victory over heaven? (v.8-9) Therefore, O Lotus-seated one [Brahmā], tell us, who are eager to learn: how might Viṣṇu become easily served by us, here and now?" (v.10)
**Brahmā said:**
"Though I worshipped Viṣṇu for thousands of crores of yugas and attained the position of Parameṣṭhin [the highest divine station], even for me, He is difficult to attain. In this world, He does not bestow His vision upon devotees who yearn for worldly objects. Rather, He is easily accessible to those loving devotees who desire only to behold the Self, who is Him. In the past, our worship of Mādhava was often driven by selfish motives, primarily for the destruction of beings like Hiraṇyakaśipu and Rāvaṇa. Now, let us worship the Lord of Śrī with devotion free from any ulterior motive, solely for the sake of His vision. Then, His *darśan* [vision] will surely become easy." (v.11-14)
**Rudra said:**
"Hari, the Supreme Lord, the very Self, pervades and abides in all things. Perceive with the eye of spirituality that the entire universe is permeated by Viṣṇu." (v.15)
**Indra said:**
"The eternal god Viṣṇu is both formless and endowed with form. O Three-eyed one [Rudra], we long to behold His manifest form directly." (v.16)
**Vāyu said:**
"Blessed indeed are those in the three worlds who behold the Lord of the Universe, holding the conch and discus, His form dark as a monsoon cloud." (v.17)
**Agni said:**
"Alas, we possess no such devotion, none at all! How then can we hope for a vision of Mukunda, which is difficult even for yogis to attain?" (v.18)
**Varuṇa said:**
"O gods, let us abandon all desires today and, with a single-pointed mind, pray to Hari, the very ocean of compassion." (v.19)
**The two Aśvins said:**
"For those who lack firm faith, whose minds are deluded by Māyā, for poor yogis and non-devotees alike, the vision of Viṣṇu remains difficult to obtain." (v.20)
**Yama said:**
"If Mādhava does not appear, then even life itself must be relinquished! But O best of gods, who among us possesses such unyielding faith?" (v.21)
**The Viśvedevas said:**
"O father, what is the purpose of giving up life? Rather, while preserving one's life here, one should perform great penance with a firm and desireless mind." (v.22)
**The Maruts said:**
"Viṣṇu, the imperishable one who moves at His own will, is difficult to attain through penance alone. He is surely accessible only through devotion. Therefore, meditate on Mādhava within your hearts." (v.23)
**The Sadguru said:**
Thus inspired, all the gods, yearning to behold the Lord of Śrī, worshipped Acyuta here with single-minded devotion. Then, the eternal Viṣṇu, affectionate to His devotees, manifested before the host of gods. He appeared four-armed, holding the conch, discus, and mace, clad in yellow garments, and accompanied by Śrī and Bhūmi. Adorned with the Śrīvatsa mark, the resplendent Kaustubha gem, and a fragrant forest garland, He granted them His divine vision. (v.24-26) Beholding the assembly of gods, the lotus-eyed Lord Hari, His heart melting with compassion, then spoke these sweet words. (v.27)
**The Lord said:**
"Welcome, O best of the wise! What brings you here? Indeed, a vision of Me is rare for you, O excellent gods. Even after attaining the highest realms and partaking of nectar, you, who are afflicted by the Asuras, experience sorrow again and again." (v.28-29)
**The Gods said:**
"O Lord of Śrī, Your vision alone quenches all sorrows, and it is this very vision that we all desire, again and again. If even immortals experience sorrow, what then of mortals? Therefore, O Mādhava, please reside right here and grant us Your perpetual vision. O Mādhava, worshipped here by both mortals and immortals, O repository of compassion, please destroy all worldly sorrow." (v.30-32)
**The Sadguru said:**
Thus prayed to by the host of gods, the Lord Hari, Govinda, constantly grants His vision here on earth as Mādhava. Without doubt, for those who behold Viṣṇu, Mādhava, in Devabṛndapura, all worldly sorrow is utterly destroyed. (v.33-34)
Thus ends the thirty-second chapter, titled "The Glory of Devabṛndapura," in the Third Volume of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
