Chapter summary
श्रीरङ्गनगरनिर्माणम् Śrī Raṅga Nagara Nirmāṇam
The revered Sadguru said:
Then, a wondrous temple was constructed with seven enclosures, adorned with various magnificent *gopurams* [temple towers] crowned with golden *kalaśas* [finials]. Within this sacred precinct stood the Raṅga-vilāsa hall, resplendent with gems, where saints—the foremost among Hari’s servants—daily sing, dance, and recount or listen to the glorious tales of Murāri (v.1-2).
Nearby, a cowshed housed a thousand cows, alongside a granary brimming with grains. A great kitchen was established, where devotees lovingly prepared diverse kinds of pure food for *naivedyam* [offerings to the deity]. A treasury, a veritable storehouse of wealth, was filled with priceless jeweled ornaments, and a perfume hall held all manner of fragrant substances, such as sandalwood. Moreover, a thousand-pillared hall, adorned with various sculptures and frequented by the populace, was built, where Raṅganātha, the King of Kings, would shine forth with His devotees during the grand festivals (v.3-5).
The king also made extensive arrangements for the construction of various pavilions and the conduct of great festivals, granting villages for their perpetual maintenance. He further offered paddy fields, rich with diverse grains and providing livelihood to thousands of farmers, to the Lord for the grand festivals and for daily worship (v.6-7). Thousands of the most excellent Vaiṣṇava Brahmins were settled in this city of Hari, and the king, knowing the rituals and ever humble, established the precise rules for the daily worship to be performed by them (v.8).
This great soul also created a beautiful garden, cooled by breezes carrying the fragrance of Mandāra, Mallī (jasmine), Tulasī, Kadamba, and Punnāga flowers, and there he celebrated Acyuta’s Vasantotsavam [spring festival]. He then fashioned a clear lake, filled with Kalhāra, blue lotuses, and white lotuses, which brought joy to all who beheld it, and in its waters, he conducted the Plavotsavam [float festival] for the Lord of Raṅga (v.9-10). Thus, Śrīraṅgam became renowned as Vaikuṇṭha on earth, a city of daily festivals and ceaseless delight, ever served by devoted and surrendered souls (v.11).
The king, desiring to perform the Brahmotsavam [grand festival] for that great Lord of Raṅga—an ocean of all auspicious qualities, served by Brahmā and other gods—prayed to Mukunda. Brahmā, descending from Satyaloka with the same desire, offered obeisance, and Murāri graciously granted permission to the Creator (v.12-13). Viṣvaksena, the commander-in-chief previously appointed by Hari Himself for the purification of the city, joyfully circumambulated the city, his command held sacred even by the gods (v.14).
Then, Mukunda hoisted His own flag, emblazoned with Garuḍa. Beating the drums, those appointed by the Lord summoned the gods, who arrived to witness the festivities. Mounting a beautiful palanquin, Mukunda proceeded in procession around the city of Raṅga. Thereafter, entering the sacred sacrificial hall, the Lord, having been consecrated, took His repose (v.15-16).
Seated upon the Sūrya Prabhā [Sun-disc vehicle], the Lord Śrī Raṅganātha, Mukunda, served by His host of devotees and worshipped by saintly people, made His grand appearance (v.17).
"Behold, O friend, Hari approaches along the street, mounted upon the Haṃsa [swan], delighting His devotees with a gentle, swan-like gait! Look quickly, and let your eyes and mind be filled with joy!" (v.18)
"Mounted upon the lion, Lord Nṛsiṃha swiftly advances along the street of Śrīraṅgam! O friend, behold the God of gods, Mukunda, a very treasure of majesty and beauty!" (v.19)
"Look quickly, O friend, at Murāri, Mukunda, the embodiment of bliss, riding upon the Śarabha! See how He graciously gazes upon all His servants!" (v.20)
"Overpowering even the brilliance of the sun with His own effulgence, He proceeds forth. Arise in the morning and behold Him in the city street, worshipped by devotees and Brahmins!" (v.21)
"The devotees, extremely eager, are watching Mukunda, the very form of the Vedas, joyfully mounting Garuḍa and proceeding forth. You too, today, behold the Supreme, who is beyond all!" (v.22)
"Mounted upon the thousand-headed Ananta, O friend, behold Lord Viṣṇu seated, revealing this Śrīraṅgam as Vaikuṇṭha on earth, He of flawless form!" (v.23)
"See the Lord with eyes like lotus petals, mounted upon Hanumān, thus displaying His Rāma incarnation with a charming form before the people!" (v.24)
"Then, standing at the foot of the Kalpa-vṛkṣa [wish-fulfilling tree], behold the Supreme Person, displaying His Kṛṣṇa incarnation with lovely attire, the beloved who increases love!" (v.25)
"Riding a great, intoxicated elephant, O friend, see Rāma coming forth! He is like an emperor, served by all, the Lord of all, the refuge of all!" (v.26)
Coming with the Goddess to the granary and inspecting it, He then entered the inner quarters. Resting there and having been consecrated, He again entered the bedchamber (v.27).
"Then, mounted upon the horse, O friend, see Kṛṣṇa, the Lord of Raṅga, who has arrived, playing in front, holding a whip in His lotus-hand!" (v.28)
"Mounted upon His divine, vast chariot and coming along the street, O friend, behold the Lord, delighting all His devotees, the embodiment of bliss, the one Lord of the universe!" (v.29)
Having been consecrated in the Avabhṛtha [concluding bath] festival as well, and having bestowed the supremely pure *Tīrtha* [holy water] upon the devotees, the greatly pleased consort of Padmā entered His abode. He joyfully sent off all the gods with respectful gifts, and respectfully honored the good people who had taken refuge in Him (v.31-32). The king also, his desires completely fulfilled and honored directly by the best of Raṅga, constantly remembering the grace of Śrī Raṅganātha, entered his own city (v.33).
Thus the twenty-seventh chapter, named "The Construction of the City of Śrīraṅgam," in the Fourth Part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
