Chapter summary
श्रीरङ्गनाथसाक्षात्कार: Śrī Raṅganātha Sākṣātkāra:
Śrī Sadguru said:
He beheld upon the earth the exquisite sandbank of the Kāverī, its waters pure and clear as flawless crystal. This verdant expanse was dense with trees such as Punnāga, Pūga (areca nut), Kadalī (banana), and Nālikera (coconut), vibrant with the cooing of cuckoo flocks, and frequented by graceful deer. In the midst of this beauty, he saw the Candrapuṣkariṇī lake, adorned with garlands of lotuses and frequented by swans and cranes. It was here that Vibhishana, the night-dweller, descended from the sky. Placing the sacred Raṅga Vimāna in the center of this serene landscape, he then bathed in the waters of the Kāverī and meticulously performed his prescribed evening rituals. (v.1-4)
At that very moment, King Dharmavarmā, having risen from his meditation, chanced to see before him this supreme Raṅga Vimāna. A wave of disbelief washed over him. "Is this a delusion of the mind," he wondered, "or merely a vision in a dream? Could it be the magic of some sorcerer? How has Raṅga come here?" He questioned further, "Is this the perfection of my penance, or the fruit of my accumulated merit? How has the divine Raṅga, which was always situated in Ayodhyā, manifested here? Was it brought by the gods, or alas, by a host of Rakṣasas? Or has it come of its own accord? How has Raṅga truly come here?" (v.5-8)
Overwhelmed, a profound realization dawned upon him. "Surely my penance is fruitful, my merit has borne its reward. My very birth in this world is now fruitful, for I behold Raṅga before me! Blessed is this sandbank of the Kāverī, blessed is the Drāviḍa country! Blessed indeed is this city, for Raṅga Himself has graced it with His presence!" He then cried out in ecstatic joy, "Oh, what fortune! What immense fortune is ours, O best of saints! Come quickly, all of you, and behold Śrī Raṅga before your very eyes!" (v.9-11)
Uttering these words, Dharmavarmā, accompanied by his people, respectfully rushed forward. As he gazed upon Śrī Raṅga, his hair stood on end in sheer rapture. He beheld the sacred Vimāna, shaped like the primordial sound Praṇava (Om), adorned with resplendent finials (kalaśas), resting upon a tortoise-pedestal (Kūrmapīṭha), supported by eight elephants, and rooted in a lotus as its base. Within this divine abode, he saw Viṣvaksena, Varāha, Durgā, and Gaṇanāyaka. In front, he also saw Vainateya (Garuḍa), and the gatekeepers Jaya and Vijaya. (v.12-14)
Within the Vimāna, he saw Vāsudeva, Hari Himself, the God reclining upon the serpent, the ancient, supreme Puruṣa. He possessed large, lotus-like eyes, beautiful cheeks, and a finely sculpted nose. His broad forehead was adorned with a tilaka, and his locks of hair were exquisitely curly. His lotus-face bore a gentle smile, and he wore makara-shaped earrings. He was graced with the Śrīvatsa mark and the radiant Kaustubha gem. His navel was a perfect lotus, and his belly was like a flat plane. (v.15-17)
The Lord was adorned with necklaces, bracelets, armlets, a crown, and a host of other precious ornaments. He wore the sacred thread, exuded serenity, and was garlanded with a fragrant forest-garland. Draped in a yellow silk garment, He was further graced by a jewelled girdle and a golden waist-thread, presenting a vision of unparalleled beauty and a fair, captivating face. His lotus feet were ever caressed by Padmā (Lakshmi) and Dharā (Bhudevi), for He is the father of all the worlds, and even of the creator, Vidhi (Brahmā). (v.18-20)
He was served on all sides by the thirty-three crore hosts of gods, and by multitudes of Siddhas, Vidyādharas, Gandharvas, and Kinnaras. The attendants of Vaikuṇṭha and the great Brahmarṣis offered Him praise, while Nārada and other devotees joyfully sang His glories in sweet tones. Apsarases, singing melodiously to the accompaniment of vīṇā, mṛdaṅga, and cymbals, and others gracefully dancing, also served Him. The hosts of gods, situated in heaven, watched with curious awe, worshipping Him again and again with fragrant Pārijāta flowers. (v.21-24)
The air was perfumed with fragrant incense and illumined by rows of lamps. The great sages, with the mighty sound of Vedic chants, magnified their blessings for Him. The entire place resonated with the grand sound of bells, and the sacred sound of the conch rendered the whole environment auspicious. Multitudes of men and women served Him, always with joy. Thus, Dharmavarmā beheld Śrī Raṅga, who had come of His own accord. (v.25-27)
With hands joined in reverence above his head, his eyes moist with tears, he gazed again and again, bowing down repeatedly. Rolling on the ground, dancing, singing praises, lamenting, crying, and laughing like one mad, the king, utterly filled with loving devotion, continued to gaze upon Him. His ministers, seeing the king overcome with affection and having fainted from the bliss of seeing Raṅganātha’s joyful face, gently consoled him. (v.28-30)
Regaining his composure, Dharmavarmā then offered a prayer: "Oh, You are an ocean of mercy, controlled by the devotion of Your bhaktas! To one who merely remembers Your lotus feet, You grant Your very self. O ocean of mercy, how have You left Ayodhyā and the beautiful Sarayū river? Having come here, You grant Your personal vision. O Keśava, I do not know how to repay Your grace. You are pleased with me even for this little penance, appearing before me. O Lord, who is able to give a price for You, who are priceless? Therefore, a person should always contemplate only Your causeless mercy." (v.31-34)
Having spoken thus, Dharmavarmā then worshipped Him according to the prescribed rites. With tear-filled eyes, he performed circumambulation and prostration. Then, the great king praised the eternal Lord, Viṣṇu, situated in the Raṅga Vimāna, the Lord reclining on the serpent. (v.35-36)
Thus the twenty-fourth chapter, named "The Direct Vision of Śrī Raṅganātha," in the Fourth Part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
