Chapter summary
नन्दनवनमाहात्म्यम् Nandana Vana Māhātmyam
The Glory of Nandanavanam
**The revered Sadguru said:**
Residing in the illustrious city of Dvārakā, Lord Krishna, the protector of the world, had two principal queens: Rukmiṇī and Satyabhāmā. While Rukmiṇī possessed a serene and tranquil disposition, Bhāmā was renowned for her charming impetuosity, and it was for Bhāmā that Krishna's affection blossomed most profoundly. (v.1-2)
One day, the sage Nārada, filled with a playful curiosity, approached Krishna and presented Him with a celestial Pārijāta flower. Hari, in turn, bestowed this fragrant bloom upon Rukmiṇī. When Satyabhāmā heard of this from Nārada, she was consumed by anger. She confronted Mādhava at the door, barring His entry, and bolted it shut. The Lord, with various sweet and respectful words, consoled the goddess, promising, "I shall bring you the Pārijāta tree itself; do not be distressed." (v.3-5)
In the interim, Krishna, at the request of Indra (the slayer of Pāka), set forth for the city of Prāgjyotiṣa, intent on vanquishing the demon Naraka. Govinda mounted His divine chariot, emblazoned with the emblem of Garuḍa, and Satyabhāmā herself, with playful swiftness, took up the reins as His charioteer. In the ensuing battle, the all-powerful and compassionate Lord, ever devoted to His bhaktas, slew Naraka and graciously freed the maidens whom the demon had imprisoned. (v.6-8)
After anointing Naraka's son, Bhagadatta, as king of that realm, Krishna recovered Aditi's divine earrings, the celestial umbrella, and the Maṇiparvata (jewel-mountain), all of which Naraka had previously stolen. He then ascended to Svarga [the celestial abode], where He returned all these treasures to Indra, and the earrings specifically to Aditi. (v.9-10)
There, the Lord was revered by Indra, also known as Puruhūta. Indra, filled with brotherly affection, worshipped Upendra [Krishna], and similarly, Paulomī [Śacī], Indra's consort, worshipped Bhāmā with daily expressions of love. Yet, Śacī never offered Bhāmā a Pārijāta flower, declaring, "Mortal women have no right to wear the Pārijāta." Thus spoke Śacīdevī, imbued with a certain pride, and because of this slight, Satyabhāmā felt dishonored and became sorrowful. (v.11-13)
Urged by Bhāmā, the mighty Krishna, accompanied by His beloved, uprooted the Pārijāta tree, intending to depart. Sensing their resolve, Śacī summoned her husband, and prompted by Paulomī, Śakra [Indra] attempted to obstruct Hari. A tumultuous battle then erupted in the heavens between Indra and Upendra [Krishna]. The king of the gods was ultimately defeated by Śauri [Krishna], the wielder of the discus. Finally, pacified by the venerable Aditi, the unshakeable Acyuta [Krishna] became calm, and Purandara [Indra] then lovingly presented the Pārijāta tree to Him. (v.14-17)
Taking the Pārijāta, Janārdana, along with His wife, returned to Dvārakā, a city served by the valiant heroes of the Yadu clan. The Lord of the worlds, the Supreme Master, then planted the Pārijāta tree in the garden of His beloved Satyabhāmā's palace. (v.18-19)
However, because the tree was situated between the palaces of Rukmiṇī and Satyabhāmā, disputes over its flowers arose repeatedly. The great sage Nārada, with playful wisdom, pacified Satyabhāmā by accepting Krishna Himself as a beloved gift. When, having given away all her ornaments, she was unable to reclaim Śrī Krishna, the goddess sought refuge in Rukmiṇī. In the famous *Tulābhāram* [weighing ceremony], a single Tulasī leaf, offered with devotion, proved equal to Mukunda [Krishna] on the scales. Thus, Satyabhāmā came to understand the profound devotion of Bhaiṣmī [Rukmiṇī] in a truly special way. Having thus brought about a resolution between Rukmiṇī and Satyabhāmā, a delighted Nārada departed, taking the sacred Tulasī leaf with him. (v.20-24)
"Alas, I fought a war on account of the Pārijāta! I have committed an offense against Vishnu," lamented Indra, becoming deeply dejected. To atone for that sin, he journeyed to the Draviḍa country [South India], and there, he created a celestial garden (Nandana) on earth, where he worshipped Mādhava. Planting Mandāra, Pārijāta, Kalpaka, and other divine trees, he fashioned a magnificent Nandanavanam [Nandana garden]. In its heart, he built a temple, and having installed the beautifully formed Gopāla, he worshipped Him respectfully, accompanied by the other gods. (v.25-28)
Śakra, the husband of Śacī and a devout bhakta of Vishnu, praised Keśava Krishna with profound devotion, his hands folded in reverence, humble, meek, and utterly filled with love. (v.29)
**Indra said:**
O You of glorious fame, O You whose form is cherished by the Gopis, please forgive my offense! O Lord, not knowing the supreme extent of Your glory, protect me, who has taken refuge in You, O Master! (v.30) I had previously witnessed Your nature as the protector of Your dependents during the lifting of the great Govardhana mountain, O Śauri; yet, an offense has once again been committed by me, a fool. (v.31) O Infinite-formed One, this is my nature—to repeatedly exhibit bad qualities and ill conduct. Your nature, O Krishna, is solely compassion. Purify me with Your loving side-glance. (v.32) Even when her breast is bitten, a mother repeatedly gives milk to her own son. Likewise, You show mercy even to me, the perpetrator of great offenses again and again. (v.33) O Govinda, just as a child, though struck by his mother, lovingly grasps his mother's feet again, so do I, though I have been taught a lesson, worship Your feet. (v.34)
**The Guru said:**
Thus praised, the Lord of Dvārakā, Gopāla, the Master of the worlds, consoled the king of the gods with words accompanied by a sweet smile. (v.35) In the form of a deity (arcāvatāra), accompanied by Rukmiṇī and Satyabhāmā, the Lord is seen even today there in the forest named Nandana. (v.36) By merely seeing this Nandanavanam, the temple of Nanda's son, a person attains on earth the sovereignty of Indra. (v.37) What is the use of resorting to Kāmadhenu [the wish-fulfilling cow] or the Kalpaka tree [the wish-fulfilling tree]? Keśava, the ocean of mercy, is greater than even the Kalpaka tree for those who seek His grace. (v.38)
Thus ends the thirty-fifth chapter, titled "The Glory of Nandanavanam," in the Third Part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
