Chapter summary
कावेर्याविर्भाव: Kāverī Āvirbhāva:
Śrī Sadguru said: Thus lauded by the pot-born sage, Agastya, she emerged, a maiden-like river, playfully coursing down the mountain slopes. Her form was enchanting: fish for eyes, a tortoise for her graceful back, adorned with shimmering gems and pearls. Her waves became her girdle, and charming lotus buds her breasts. Her whirlpools formed a lovely navel, her smile a circle of frothy foam. A beautiful lady garlanded with waves, her pleasant murmuring delighted the ears. Like a joyful woman, with flights of steps as her very seat, she followed Agastya, ever moving towards the ocean. (v.1-4)
All the people beheld her, the fount of the world's joy, and gathered with delight in every village and city. They offered her lamps and worshipped her with flowers, while Siddhas, Gandharvas, and Devas praised her with profound devotion. (v.5-6)
Midway along the Kaveri's course, the sacred Chandra Sarovaram appeared, its banks graced by a temple dedicated to Vasudeva. All the gods and ascetically rich sages grew anxious, pondering, "What will this exceedingly swift-flowing Kaveri do?" Yet, they reassured themselves, "By the power of Vasudeva, this sacred Chandra Sarovaram will surely endure as long as the moon and sun; of this, there is no doubt." (v.7-9)
As the assembly of gods and sages remained thus concerned, the Kaveri arrived, her pace tranquil and reverent. With devotion, she plunged into the heart of Chandra Sarovaram, circumambulated it, and then gracefully divided her stream into two. By the power of Vasudeva, a most beautiful and joy-bestowing island was thus formed, destined to be served by hosts of gods and sages. (v.10-12)
Witnessing the profound greatness of the Chandra Pushkariṇī Tīrtha [sacred bathing pond] and the Kaveri's humble reverence, the gods and sages were filled with immense joy. (v.13)
The goddess continued her journey, entering every village and city, sporting playfully and inviting countless people to bathe in her waters. With a powerful yet playful force, she felled mighty trees, pulled along temples, and swiftly submerged the deceased. Flowing hither and thither with immense speed, the daughter of the Sahya mountain advanced like an intoxicated young woman, yearning for her destined union with the ocean. (v.14-16)
Observing the mountain's daughter flowing so freely, the great Chola king, Kavera, undertook the construction of an excellent embankment. The king established boundaries along both banks, complete with rows of steps and numerous bathing pavilions. Furthermore, in every village, he created fields and tributaries, providing farmers with canals brimming with life-giving water. (v.17-19)
From that time forth, the Kaveri, though born of the Sahya mountains, became known as the daughter of Kavera – the destroyer of all sins and the bestower of all auspiciousness. She, the nourisher of crops throughout the world, the giver of the very essence of rice-food, swiftly and delightedly journeyed on, ultimately attaining her sacred union with the ocean. (v.20-21)
Thus the twenty-first chapter, named "The Manifestation of the Kaveri," in the Fourth Part of the Divya Deśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
