Chapter summary
श्रीवृषभाद्रिमाहात्म्यम् Śrī Vṛṣabhādri Māhātmyam
The Glory of Śrī Vṛṣabhādri
**The revered Sadguru said:**
An aged king, who had not been blessed with the good fortune of a son, found himself in profound distress. Day after day, he diligently observed various vows, seeking the divine blessing. (v.1) In the purity of his heart, the righteous monarch pondered, "Surely, it is due to my past sins that all my endeavors prove fruitless, even when performed perfectly, without any deficiency or excess." (v.2) Resolving to rectify this, he declared, "Therefore, I shall perform the expiation for these transgressions according to the prescribed rules." With this determination, he sought the counsel of the great sages, who were the foremost among those versed in sacred mantras. (v.3)
**The Sages said:**
"Do not grieve, O great king," the sages reassured him. "You are devoted to Mādhava [a name for Viṣṇu], and thus, O best among the fortunate, you bear not even the slightest sin." (v.4) They advised, "If you desire the blessing of a son, worship with profound devotion the Primeval Supreme Person, the Lord who resides in Vṛṣabhādri." (v.5)
**The revered Sadguru said:**
Thus guided by the truth-seeing sages, the great king earnestly prayed to the Lord of Vṛṣācala [another name for Vṛṣabhādri] for the boon of a son. (v.6) With unwavering faith, he performed the Putrakāmeṣṭi sacrifice [a ritual for obtaining a son] in the company of the sages. Lord Viṣṇu, who is the very embodiment of sacrifice and the bestower of its fruits, was exceedingly pleased. (v.7)
From His ocean of mercy, the Lord graciously sent forth Yogamāyā, the embodiment of all knowledge, to grant progeny to the king. (v.8) That divine goddess, the very Māyā [creative power] of the Lord, adorned with all auspicious marks, herself descended into the world and shone with the gentle radiance of moonlight. (v.9) Renowned by the name Mīnākṣī, the goddess captivated every mind and delighted her father with her charming childhood sports. (v.10)
She was of noble lineage, endowed with excellent character and all virtues. Skilled in song and dance, she was an expert in playing the vīṇā [a stringed instrument]. (v.11) A connoisseur of various arts, possessing divine beauty, she was ever intent on play, accompanied by her friends. (v.12) The increaser of the dynasty was skilled in all royal sciences: horsemanship, elephant riding, charioteering, and even warfare. (v.13) Thus grew the fish-eyed maiden, the Māyā of Viṣṇu. Beholding her, the great king's heart swelled with joy. (v.14)
Having understood her glory, as extolled by the sages, the king anointed her, Umā, as the Empress of Empresses in his own kingdom. (v.15) She, adept at protecting the world, ruled the Pāṇḍya country. Under her reign, all people lived peacefully and faithfully upheld their respective duties (dharma). (v.16)
While all her relatives consulted for her marriage, Mīnākṣī resolved to undertake a conquest of the quarters (digvijaya) across the earth. (v.17) She declared, "He by whom I am defeated in battle during my conquest of the world, him alone shall I choose as my husband. Of this, there is no doubt." (v.18) Having made this firm resolve, the goddess set forth with her army. Achieving victory everywhere, she eventually reached the Himālaya mountain. (v.19)
Finally, she arrived at the peak of Kailāsa for her conquest. There, the god Hālāsya-sundara [Śiva, the beautiful one of Hālāsya, an ancient name for Madurai] came forth, eager for battle. (v.20) Sundara [Śiva], fighting the battle as a mere sport, achieved victory. Mīnākṣī, with her face downcast, stood before him with folded hands. (v.21) The Blue-throated one [Nīlakaṇṭha, an epithet for Śiva] also praised Mīnākṣī's valor. Mīnākṣī then devoutly prayed to Maheśvara [another name for Śiva]. (v.22)
**Mīnākṣī said:**
"O Nīlakaṇṭha, Mahādeva, Śiva, Hālāsya-sundara! O ocean of mercy, O Lord, please listen carefully to my vow." (v.23) She continued, "I made this vow: 'He by whom I am defeated in battle during my conquest of the world, him alone shall I choose as my husband. Of this, there is no doubt.' (v.24) Having made this pledge, I set forth from my city. Now, O Deva, I have been defeated by you. Please uphold my vow." (v.25)
**Sundara said:**
"So be it, O noble lady," Sundara replied. "I shall honor your vow. I will come to Madurā, accompanied by my retinue." (v.26) He then instructed her, "You, O fish-eyed one, go to Madurā first. O beautiful one, make preparations for our wedding." (v.27)
**The revered Sadguru said:**
Hearing this, she was greatly delighted. Intent on meditating upon Sundara, she returned to the city of Madurā and reported the news to her mother. (v.28) Her relatives and all the people, filled with great excitement for the wedding, made all necessary preparations, including the elaborate decoration of the city. (v.29)
At an auspicious time, Śrīkaṇṭha [Śiva], accompanied by Kumbhodara, joyfully arrived in Madurā, mounted on his bull. There, Sundareśa [Śiva] married Mīnākṣī according to the prescribed rites. (v.30) At that very moment, Viṣṇu, the Lord of all, who resides in Vṛṣabhādri, lovingly gave away His own sister to Śiva. (v.31) Having obtained her, endowed with all beauty and directly bestowed by Viṣṇu, Sundara, the Lord of all worlds, was filled with joy. (v.32)
He who daily reads with faith, or listens with love, to this sacred and auspicious story of Mīnākṣī and Sundareśa, (v.33) indeed attains all welfare, the destruction of all sorrows, the growth of progeny, victory everywhere, and all prosperity. (v.34)
Here ends the fourth chapter, entitled "The Glory of Śrī Vṛṣabhādri," in the fifth part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
Thus ends Chapter 4, named "Śrī Vṛṣabhādri Māhātmyam", in Pañcama Bhāge, in the Divya Deśa Vaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
