Chapter summary
हरिपुरमाहात्म्यम् Hari Pura Māhātmyam
The Glory of Haripura
Śrī Sadguru speaks: The great Nāga king, Takṣaka, once worshipped the Lord Naranārāyaṇa, building a magnificent city where he then resided. Thus, this supremely sacred *Kṣetra* [a holy place or pilgrimage site], adorned with numerous holy waters, became renowned throughout the earth as Nāgapura. (v.1-2)
In that lineage of wisdom lived a noble Brahmin named Veda, a distinguished disciple of Dhaumya, who imparted the sacred Vedas to his foremost student, Utaṅka. Upon the completion of his studies, Utaṅka was urged by his guru's wife to procure the earrings of King Pauṣya's queen as his *Guru-dakṣiṇā* [a traditional offering made to a spiritual teacher upon completion of studies]. Swiftly, he approached the queen. (v.3-4)
Recognizing him as a worthy recipient, the queen reverently welcomed him and bestowed the earrings. For the Brahmin's well-being, she offered a gentle caution: "Takṣaka desires to steal these divine earrings. O Utaṅka, be vigilant as you proceed to your guru's presence." (v.5-6)
Thus advised, the Brahmin, remembering Lord Nārāyaṇa, joyfully set forth towards his guru, now possessing the precious earrings. Along his path, he encountered a youthful cowherd, accompanied by a bull, dancing with a pot balanced upon his head. Overcome by hunger and thirst, Utaṅka requested butter. The skilled performer, the *Naṭa*, responded to him with a playful jest. (v.7-9)
The Naṭa speaks: The cowherd replied, "This pot holds neither milk nor butter. It contains only the dung and urine of the bull; drink that with reverence. This is the remnant of what your guru has consumed, O Brahmin. Partake of this *guru-prasāda* [sacred food blessed by the guru] if you seek the highest good." (v.10-11)
Śrī Sadguru speaks: Filled with unwavering devotion to his guru, the Brahmin indeed consumed the offering. Just then, a traveler chanced upon him and snatched the earrings. Utaṅka pursued the thief, desperate to reclaim the jewels, but the traveler, a master of illusion (*māyāvī*), vanished into a hole, baffling the Brahmin. Seeing the cowherd still performing his pot-dance, Utaṅka inquired, "Who was that traveler? And how might he be seen again?" (v.12-14)
The Cowherd speaks: The cowherd explained, "This is the city of the Nāgas, crafted by the illusionist Maya, and here resides the mighty Nāga king, Takṣaka. If you wish to retrieve those stolen earrings, O Brahmin, proceed there with this horse-rider as your guide and helper." (v.15-16)
Śrī Sadguru speaks: Just then, a traveler on horseback appeared. With him, Utaṅka swiftly journeyed to the city of the Nāgas. Urged by the horse-rider, Utaṅka blew, and from the horse's mouth erupted fire, from which billowed forth immense smoke. The city became engulfed in smoke, and the *Kādraveyas* [Nāgas, children of Kadru], afflicted by suffocation and struck with terror, abandoned their dwellings and fled. Thereupon, the king of serpents returned the earrings to Utaṅka, consoled him, and sent the Brahmin on his way. (v.17-20)
Having retrieved the earrings, and pleased by the horse-rider's aid, Utaṅka hastened back to the *gurukula* [guru's abode] and presented them to his guru's wife. After reverently bowing to his guru, hands joined above his head, the exemplary disciple humbly inquired about the true identity of the horse-rider and the cowherd. Lord Veda, smiling with delight and respect at his disciple's profound devotion, then spoke. (v.21-23)
Veda speaks: Veda revealed, "The great divine beings, Indra and Upendra [Viṣṇu], came to protect you, O Brahmin. They were immensely pleased by your unwavering devotion to your guru and your steadfast commitment to *dharma*. Know that the pot-dancer was none other than the eternal Viṣṇu Himself, and the bull was Dharma personified. The dung and urine you consumed were, in truth, *amṛta*, divine nectar. Without partaking of that nectar, you, a mere child, would not have been able to enter the city of the Nāga king, which is permeated by poison." (v.24-26)
"Know also that the horse-rider was Indra, the lord of the gods, and the horse itself was Agni, the divine Fire, who manifested to protect you. Indeed, all the gods become exceedingly pleased and readily offer their aid to humble individuals who are deeply devoted to their guru." (v.27-28)
Veda concluded, "Today, through your actions, I have been truly worshipped, and the *Guru-dakṣiṇā* has been duly offered. Now, go forth, find a virtuous maiden, and live your life practicing the *dharma* of a householder." (v.29)
Śrī Sadguru speaks: Thus blessed by his guru, the exemplary Brahmin, ever devoted to his teacher, returned to his father's home and lived a life dedicated to *dharma*. This very place is that supreme *Kṣetra* where the great divine beings, Indra and Upendra, were directly perceived, and which is renowned as the destroyer of all afflictions caused by poison. For those who bathe in the sacred Amṛtaghaṭa Tīrtha and devotedly serve Hari, the divine pot-dancer, all suffering from poison is utterly vanquished. (v.30-32)
Thus the fortieth chapter, titled 'The Glory of Haripura', in the Third Part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
