Chapter summary
श्रीवृषभाचलमाहात्म्यम् Śrī Vṛṣabhācala Māhātmyam
The Glory of Śrī Vṛṣabhācala
**The revered Sadguru said:**
To the north of Madhurā lies the sacred Vṛṣabhācala, where the Lord, in His beautiful form as Viṣṇu, is cherished even by a clan of thieves. Residing there, He is sought by them and, out of His boundless compassion, grants the desired boons to all His devotees. (v.1-2)
Once, a great sage, who had taken the form of a frog, immersed himself in the waters of the Kṛtamālā river, performing severe penance with an ardent longing for the vision of Viṣṇu. (v.3)
One day, a handsome young prince, with eyes like lotus petals, rode his horse, engrossed in the sport of hunting. Adorned with a bodice, a turban, and golden ornaments, he felt a deep thirst and came to the banks of the Kṛtamālā river. (v.4-5)
Upon seeing the young prince, the sage, captivated by his beauty, ceased his penance and affectionately inquired, "Who are you, young man?" The prince, smiling pleasantly, folded his hands and addressed the great sage with sweet words. (v.6-7)
**The Lord said:**
"O venerable one," the prince began, "I am Sundarabāhu, the king of thieves, and I reside on Vṛṣabhācala. I have come here for hunting. But tell me, why do you perform such penance, immersed in the water like a frog? I am blessed indeed to have come here by chance and to behold your sight." (v.8-9)
**The Frog said:**
"O Lord," replied the frog, "by Your grace alone do I know Your greatness. You Yourself are the Lord of all worlds, the eternal God, Viṣṇu. Reveal Your true form, O Master! Why do You test me? I am Your servant, weary from penance, and desiring liberation, I worship You." (v.10-11)
**The revered Sadguru said:**
Thus implored by the great-souled frog, Viṣṇu, the ocean of mercy, immediately granted His divine vision. The sage beheld the Lord, dark as a raincloud, holding the conch and discus, adorned with the Śrīvatsa mark and the radiant Kaustubha gem, and bestowing fearlessness with His hand. Seeing Hari, with His vast lotus-like eyes and clad in yellow garments, the sage's heart was filled with delight. By Viṣṇu's mere glance, he attained pure knowledge and began to praise the ancient, complete Person, the witness of all, the infallible Lord of the universe. (v.12-15)
**The Frog said:**
Then the frog offered his profound praises: "Salutations to the eternal Aniruddha, who is denoted by the letter 'A', the witness of the universe, whose form is Brahmā, the creator of the world, who ordains the waking state, and is of the nature of Rajas. (v.16) Salutations, again and again, to Lord Pradyumna, who is denoted by the letter 'U', who is the brilliant one (Taijasa), the bestower of dreams, the protector of the world, whose form is Viṣṇu, and who is the abode of Sattva. (v.17) Salutations, again and again, to Saṅkarṣaṇa, the cause of dissolution, who is denoted by the letter 'M', the bestower of deep sleep, associated with the Prajña soul and the quality of Tamas, and whose form is Rudra. (v.18) Salutations, again and again, to Śrī Vāsudeva, who is the form of Oṃkāra, who is without attributes (Nirguṇa); salutations to the one who is the Fourth State (Turīya), the witness of Samādhi, the self-luminous one, and the Supreme Self. (v.19) The knowers of Brahman, the great sages, worship You as being of a single form and also of many forms. You grant their respective desired fruits. Desiring liberation, I take refuge in You." (v.20)
**The revered Sadguru said:**
Lord Govinda Himself, mounting His horse once again, returned to that Vṛṣabhādri, desiring to bestow His grace upon the world. (v.22)
Indeed, those who worship Hari on Vṛṣabhādri with devotion in this Kali age—to them also Hari grants liberation. Of this, there is no doubt. (v.23)
It was by this very sage that the supreme scripture (śruti), famous as the Māṇḍūkya, the bestower of pure knowledge, was revealed to the world. (v.24)
Thus, the second chapter, named "The Glory of Śrī Vṛṣabhācala," in the Fifth Part of the "Divyadeśavaibhavam" composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
