Chapter summary
चन्द्रपुष्करिणीमाहात्म्यम् Candrapuṣkariṇī Māhātmyam
The Glory of Chandra Pushkarini
**The Devotees said:**
"O revered Guru, please enlighten us with the glorious narrative of the Chandra Pushkarini [a sacred temple tank or pond] *tīrtha*, and recount the tale of Kaveri's daughter and Dharmavarman. What then did Lord Ranganatha do? For truly, the Lord, though His movements are of His own free will, ever remains dependent on His devotees." (v.1-2)
**The Sadguru said:**
"In ancient times, Daksha Prajāpati was blessed with twenty-eight daughters, whose effulgence shone in the heavens like a resplendent jeweled garland. These celestial maidens are known as Kṛttikā, Rohiṇī, Mṛgaśīrṣā, Abhijit, Ārdrā, Punarvasu, Puṣya, Āśleṣā, Maghā, the two Phalgunīs, Hastā, Citrā, Svāti, Viśākhā, Anurādhā, Jyeṣṭhā, Mūlā, the two Āṣāḍhās, Śravaṇā, Śraviṣṭhā, Śatabhiṣak, the two Proṣṭhapadās, Revatī, Aśvinī, and Bharaṇī. All these are revered as the presiding deities of the lunar constellations, or *Nakshatras*." (v.3-6)
"Daksha, the foremost among those who uphold *dharma*, joyfully bestowed these daughters upon Chandra, the Moon-god, who is the producer of nectar, Soma, and the celestial brother of Śrī Devī (Lakshmi). All his wives, bound by mutual affection, served him devotedly, and day by day, they found themselves enchanted by the beauty of the nectar-rayed Moon." (v.7-8)
"However, the handsome Chandra did not treat all his wives with equal affection; his heart, captivated by desire, was solely attached to Rohiṇī. Deeply distressed by this partiality, the other daughters of Daksha one day confided their sorrow to their father. Enraged, Daksha then cursed his proud son-in-law, the Moon, declaring, 'May you be afflicted with consumption!'" (v.9-11)
"Due to this curse, the nectar-beamed Moon began to wane day by day, consumed by the disease. Overwhelmed with anguish, he sought counsel from the revered sage Bhrigu. The sage advised him, 'On earth, create a meritorious, sin-destroying, pure, and supreme holy tank [Sanskrit: *tīrtha*], and there worship Lord Vishnu.'" (v.12-13)
"Following this divine counsel, Chandra descended to earth and created a most pure *tīrtha*, wondrous in its power to remove all sins, bestow merit, and grant health. In the eastern direction of this sacred pond, he duly established a fruit-bearing Jambu tree and Lord Jambukeshvara (Shiva). To the south, he placed a Punnaga tree adorned with blossoms, and beneath it, Vasudeva and the supreme sage Vyāsa. In the western quarter, he installed a Bilva tree and Lakshmi, the bestower of all auspiciousness; and to the north, a Kadamba tree and Purushottama. Having thus established these deities and trees with profound faith, the Moon worshipped them. Through this devotion, he was freed from the disease of consumption and became a source of joy to the entire world." (v.14-18)
"Thereafter, during the bright fortnight (*Śukla Paksha*), he once again grew to possess his full digits. To uphold the truth of Daksha's words, he continues to wane day by day during the dark fortnight (*Kṛṣṇa Paksha*), yet by the grace of Vasudeva, he invariably grows full again. The revered Moon, having regained the affection of his wives, became impartial in his conduct and thus pleased Daksha." (v.19-20)
"For those who bathe with faith in this Chandra Sarovara, diseases such as consumption are undoubtedly eradicated. This Chandra Sarovara *tīrtha* is the destroyer of all sins, the augmenter of happiness, and is blessed with the very proximity of Lord Vishnu. The ancestors of those who perform *Śrāddha* rites [ancestral offerings] on the banks of Chandra Pushkarini are pleased and cause their family line to flourish. Whatever offerings—be it food, cows, wealth, or clothes—are given to Brahmins on the banks of Chandra Pushkarini according to tradition, become imperishable. For those who perform *japa* (mantra recitation) and *tapas* (austerities) on its banks, the Supreme Lord, Purushottama, is surely well-pleased. Indeed, the Gaṅgā and other great rivers reside within the waters of Chandra Pushkarini for the welfare of the world, cleansing all sins." (v.21-26)
"By worshipping Jambukeshvara, who is situated on the bank of the Chandra Pushkarini *tīrtha*, with faith and devotion, one attains all auspiciousness. By devoutly beholding Lakshmi, situated at the Bilva tree day after day, one is surely freed from debts and obtains great wealth. By seeing the eternal Vasudeva at the root of the Punnaga tree, one certainly becomes liberated from all sins. And by worshipping the imperishable Purushottama, situated at the root of the Kadamba tree, with daily faith, one attains the supreme abode." (v.27-30)
"For those who read this glorious account of the Chandra Pushkarini *tīrtha*, even their gravest sins are destroyed; of this, there is no doubt." (v.31)
Thus the seventeenth chapter, named "The Glory of Chandra Pushkarini," in the Fourth Part of the Divyadesavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
