Chapter summary
फलश्रुति: Phala Śruti:
The revered Sadguru said:
The great holy place known as Śrīraṅgam is where Hari eternally resides. Though He is accessible only through the profound knowledge of the wise, even the ignorant behold Him here. Indeed, Vasudeva, the Lord of the universe, has forsaken the world of Vaikuṇṭha and established His perpetual presence in the sacred land of Śrīraṅgam. (v.1-2)
To rescue the ignorant from the terrifying ocean of worldly existence (*saṃsāra*), Hari, the Lord of all, lies reposed in the middle of the Kāverī river. Lying on one side, Hari, the supreme Yogi, shines forth as if making a firm resolve (*satyāgraha*), desiring to uplift every single being. (v.3-4)
Alas, forsaking this ocean of mercy, who is so affectionate to those who take refuge in Him, human beings on earth are tormented in vain by the sorrows of *saṃsāra*. Oh, the sorrow! Oh, the sorrow! Oh, the profound sorrow of people in the Kali age, who, turning away from Śrīraṅgam, wander aimlessly in this cycle of worldly existence! (v.5-6)
Oh, the happiness! Oh, the happiness! Oh, the immense happiness of those fortunate souls who have taken refuge in Śrīraṅgam! (v.7)
Oh, the audacity! Oh, the audacity! Oh, the sheer audacity of people! Even with Lord Raṅganātha present before them, those of wicked desires do not seek refuge in Him. (v.8)
Even by a chance glimpse of Lord Raṅganātha in this terrible Kali age, there is certainly no fear of Yama [the god of death], even for the most sinful. Whether one has journeyed to another country or to a distant island, by bowing daily in the direction of Śrīraṅgam, one is freed from grief. (v.9-10)
He who utters "Raṅga, Raṅga," even in jest or in play, has no fear of Death (*Kāla*), nor shall he ever behold hell. (v.11)
For Vaiṣṇavas, residence in Śrīraṅgam is certainly more difficult to attain than heaven, the abode of Brahmā, and even Vaikuṇṭha itself. Of this, there is no doubt. (v.12)
Indeed, even the attendants of Vaikuṇṭha, desiring to witness the grand festivals and eager for the *kīrtana* [devotional chanting] of Hari, wish to live in Śrīraṅgam. The Devas, the ancestors (*Pitṛs*), and also the Siddhas, Vidyādharas, and other celestial beings, all desire to live in Śrīraṅgam out of an intense longing to see Hari. (v.13-14)
Merely by residing in Śrīraṅgam, they become attendants of Hari, filled with the grace of Lord Raṅganātha and dedicated to His service (*kaiṅkarya*). (v.15)
Fortunate people come and go here by the divine will of Lord Raṅganātha, and not otherwise through their own strenuous effort. By the grace of Lord Raṅganātha, even sinful people, indeed, attain residence in Śrīraṅgam with ease. There is no doubt. (v.16-17)
Yet, even great-souled yogis, deluded by the *māyā* [illusory power] of Viṣṇu, wander here and there, having abandoned the supreme Śrīraṅgam. (v.18)
Whether one is devoted to good conduct or even to bad conduct, by residing in the city of Śrīraṅgam, one becomes truly fortunate. Even having entered Śrīraṅgam with the intention to commit gold theft, liquor consumption, or union with another's wife, one certainly becomes fortunate. (v.19-20)
What then to speak of the pious Brahmins, Vaiṣṇavas, and followers of the Vedas, who reside in Śrīraṅgam and worship Hari with devotion? (v.21)
Those who wander through all other holy places, full of afflictions, attain peace only upon reaching Śrīraṅgam in the end. (v.22)
Come, O people, come quickly to the city of Śrīraṅgam! Behold, behold Viṣṇu, who is reclining on the serpent-couch! Enough of holy waters, enough of holy places, enough of circumambulating the earth! O mortals, go to the city of Śrīraṅgam and see Viṣṇu! (v.23-24)
A place like Śrīraṅgam does not exist in the three worlds. A god equal to Lord Raṅganātha does not exist, does not exist, indeed does not exist! (v.25)
Oh, the fortune! Oh, the fortune! Oh, the great fortune of people, that the ocean of mercy is seen effortlessly with the physical eyes! (v.26)
Whoever considers the manifest Lord Raṅganātha to be a mere statue, that deluded, fallen sinner will surely fall into hell. This form is not made of stone, nor of the five metals. See with the eye of knowledge that the form of Raṅga is pure consciousness (*cinmaya*). (v.27-28)
The Lord Himself asks after the well-being of the devotees who have come. Raṅganāyaka, the bestower of boons, grants their desired boons. (v.29)
The deer, cows, dogs, or pigs that live in the streets of Śrīraṅgam—they are blessed, they are honored even by the gods. The parrots, crows, roosters, cuckoos, and other birds that live in the city of Śrīraṅgam—they are blessed, they are honored even by the gods. (v.30-31)
Pleased by the merits acquired over crores of births, Lord Hari, out of His boundless grace, surely and freely grants residence in Śrīraṅgam. (v.32)
Bathing in the daughter of the Sahya mountains [the Kāverī] and having the *darśana* [sacred sight] of Hari, the fortunate ones indeed reside always in the city of Śrīraṅgam. (v.33)
Śrīraṅgam is Vaikuṇṭha itself, the eternal, supreme abode. It is seen in this world in a gross form; there is no doubt. (v.34)
This greatness of Śrīraṅgam is indeed beyond the reach of words. For the purification of my own speech, a little has been sung according to my humble intellect. Even by Brahmā, by Sarasvatī, or by the great-souled Śeṣa, the greatness of Raṅga cannot be described in its entirety. (v.35-36)
This greatness of Śrīraṅgam is the purifier of purifiers and the most auspicious of auspicious things for those who read and listen to it. This greatness of Raṅga bestows long life, health, prosperity, the birth of sons, and happiness to those who read and listen to it. (v.37-38)
A devout person should reside in Śrīraṅgam during the month of Tula [October-November], constantly perform ablutions in the Kāverī, and listen to the greatness of Raṅga. (v.39)
Listening to this sacred and holy greatness of Śrīraṅgam, which destroys great sins, one attains Vaikuṇṭha, freed from sorrow, by the grace and favor of Mukunda. (v.40)
Thus ends the thirty-second chapter, named "The Recitation of Benefits," in the Fourth Volume of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
