Chapter summary
आलीनगरमाहात्म्यम् Ālī Nagara Māhātmyam
The Glory of Ālinagara
**The Sadguru said:**
This sacred Bilva forest, a bestower of all auspiciousness, is where Narasimha, greatly pleased with Lakṣmī, eternally resides. Here, Prahlāda, having worshipped Viṣṇu, created an excellent sacred water body (tīrtha), which delights all beings and is filled with a flood of nectar. (v.1-2)
In ancient times, when Narasiṃha manifested, terrifying the entire universe, the Devas, Pitṛs, Siddhas, Yakṣas, Daityas, Maruts, and even the Rudras, all became frightened and fled. Brahmā, Rudra, and Sureśa (Indra) then joined their folded hands upon their heads and praised Him, yet alas, they were unable to pacify that fierce God, the destroyer of Hiraṇya. (v.3-4)
They then sent Śrī, who is of a calm nature and the mother of all beings. But even she, the deer-eyed one, upon seeing that Man-Lion, became as if frightened and immediately vanished. (v.5)
It was Prahlāda, the foremost among devotees, who joyfully approached the Lord. With his lotus-eyes flooded with tears of bliss, how could there be any fear for him near the lion-cub (Narasiṃha)? The merciful Lord, placing that best of devotees, Prahlāda, on the seat of His lap, caressed him. Thus, Narasiṃha bestowed fearlessness upon the people and the gods. (v.6-7)
The sole mother of the worlds, as if frightened, left her fierce lord Narasiṃha and went away. The lotus-eyed one, who loves Bilva trees and whose breasts are like Bilva fruits, reached the Bilva forest. Having descended into the Kamalā [lotus pond] at Āhlāda-tīrtha, worshipped by Prahlāda, she became supremely tranquil. Known by the name Amṛtavallikā, she performed penance to attain her beloved. (v.8-9)
The Lord Narasiṃha, now in a tranquil form, assuming a benevolent appearance, the merciful one, ascended a divine chariot and came to her. He embraced the lotus-eyed one. Then Padmā, pleased by the Lord's grace, with a tranquil mind, her hands folded in reverence, her eyes filled with tears, seated on the excellent seat of the God's lap, praised him. (v.10-11)
**Śrī Devī said:**
Victory, victory to You, O sole friend of the world! In Your Narasiṃha form, Hiraṇyakaśipu was indeed destroyed, torn apart by Your nails, and fearlessness was granted to the three worlds. Yet, I am afraid seeing that terrifying, fierce form of Yours and Your great, roaring laughter, seeing which the Devas, Pitṛs, and Siddhas all fled in every direction. Although I perceive the parental affection of Your tranquil-minded self towards Your devotee, still, I am unable to behold Your terrible lion-like sport, even though You are an ocean of mercy! (v.12-14)
For that devotee [Prahlāda], fire became cool, water became land, and poison became nectar, O destroyer of suffering! The entire universe was favorable to him; only his father was hostile. O All-powerful one, You who were certainly capable of making his father favorable to him, why was his father killed by You right in front of that devotee? Oh, what is the propriety of this? You are renowned for the quality of affection for Your devotees, an abode of forgiveness, O Lord, an ocean of mercy! Yet, without consideration, the father of Your devotee was cast down for the welfare of the three worlds. (v.15-17)
On one side is the devotee, on the other are the three worlds. O Viṣṇu, O friend of Your own devotees, the devotee is paramount! You should abandon the worlds! This devotee has been made fatherless. O Deva, You Yourself are capable of making that Daitya endowed with the quality of Sattva, making him a devotee, and pleasing the world. Why then this terrible act? (v.18-19)
Therefore, O Lord, I became angry and, though of a sattvic and calm nature, went away somewhere. Forgive me, Your dear handmaiden, who left You and came here to this Bilva tree. (v.20)
**The Sadguru said:**
Then the pleased Lord Narasiṃha, holding Lakṣmī on His lap, spoke, caressing her, whose breasts are like Bilva fruits, with His lotus-like hand, near the Bilva tree. (v.21)
**The Lord said:**
A curse was indeed given by Sanaka and others, ordained for three births through enmity, so that he might attain Me. For this reason alone, O one with eyes like lotus petals, was the Daitya slain by Me. My foremost devotee knows this; therefore, he remained calm and bowed before Me. You, O Kamalā, have departed in vain, assuming anger and casting blame upon Me. (v.22-23)
Nevertheless, seeing the feeling of affection in your heart for the devotee-child, I am delighted. Desiring you, and having searched for you in the forest, I have come here to pacify My beloved. (v.24)
**The Sadguru said:**
Thus pacifying the lotus-eyed one and placing her on His lap, Narasiṃha became calm. Then the Devas, approaching Him, worshipped the infinite, primeval Lord. (v.25)
This is that sacred Ālinagara, presided over by the Lord of Śrī and by Śrī herself, where, by the mere act of entering, the sins of men are destroyed and auspicious things arise. For those who constantly worship that Narasiṃha in the Bilva forest, success in their mantra (mantra-siddhi) will occur, yielding fruit quickly. Viṣṇu, the bestower of boons to Prahlāda, resides here, pleased. The Lord of the worlds is eternally with Padmā in the Bilva forest. By taking refuge in that Śrī Narasiṃha, one attains all auspiciousness. There is no sorrow, there is no fear; I speak the very truth. (v.26-29)
Thus the thirty-third chapter, titled "The Glory of Ālinagara," in the Third Volume of "Divya Desa Vaibhavam," composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
