Chapter summary
सत्यगिरिमाहात्म्यम् Satya Giri Māhātmyam
The Glory of Satyagiri
**The revered Guru said:**
Once, in the celestial city of Amarāvatī, the thousand-eyed Śatakratu (Indra), accompanied by Goddess Śacī and other deities led by the Fire God, presided over a grand assembly. He was served by Siddhas, Gandharvas, Vidyādharas, great Nāgas, Kinnaras, Garuḍas, Yakṣas, sages, and hosts of Apsarases. Seated on a jeweled throne, beneath a pristine white parasol, the divine king Śakra shone resplendent, worshipped by all meritorious beings. (v.1-3)
It was then that Nārada arrived. Beholding the king of the gods and Upendra [a name for Vishnu, often implying Vishnu's presence alongside Indra] seated near him, Nārada sweetly sang praises on his vīṇā. Seeing the sage, the great Śakra, his heart filled with delight, addressed him with gentle, loving words. (v.4-5)
**Indra said:**
"O Lord, foremost among Vaiṣṇavas, ever devoted to chanting the glories of Viṣṇu, you traverse the three worlds, purifying all beings. Truth, indeed, is the highest pilgrimage, the supreme austerity, the greatest merit, and the most sacred vow. Those foolish individuals who utter untruth, even in jest, assuredly forfeit their place in heaven and descend into hell. Therefore, Nārada, I am eager to know: who, in this world at present, is the most steadfast among men devoted to truth? Pray tell me." (v.6-9)
**Nārada said:**
"There exists a mountain named Satyagiri, adorned with divine herbs, situated on the banks of the Puṣpabhadrā river, and revered by the meritorious. Upon it lies a particular rock known as Cakraśilā, and a magnificent tree called Bhadravaṭa. There, O Pākaśāsana [an epithet for Indra], the sage Satyamedhā performs the highest penance; he is truly the one committed to truth in this age." (v.10-12)
**The revered Guru said:**
To behold the great sage Satyamedhā, thus praised, Indra and Upendra joyfully hastened to Satyagiri. Indra assumed the form of a hunter, armed with bow and arrow, while Upendra, disguised as a boar, went ahead of him. Under the guise of a hunt, the two divine beings playfully arrived at Satyagiri, intending to test the great sage Satyamedhā. (v.13-15)
The boar, going ahead, sought refuge with the great sage. Satyamedhā, moved by compassion, offered the creature shelter in his own dwelling. Soon after, Śakra arrived there in the guise of a hunter, fully armed. Bowing to the sage with folded hands, he most humbly inquired: (v.16-17)
**Indra said:**
"Where is that boar? He has taken refuge with you. I found him during my hunt. Tell me, O best of sages. For a long time, I, along with my wife and son, have been suffering from hunger and thirst. Please show me that boar." (v.18-19)
**The revered Guru said:**
Addressed thus by the king of the gods, the ascetic pondered: "To say 'he is not here' would surely be a lie. And to say 'I know' would lead to revealing him. A great sin would be incurred by abandoning one who has sought refuge." Having deliberated thus, the sage spoke clear words to the hunter. (v.20-21)
**Satyamedhā said:**
"The object to be seen, the act of seeing, and the seer—this triad is eternally established. Ponder this deeply, O great-minded one, and know the truth for yourself." (v.22)
**The revered Guru said:**
Hearing his truthful words, the two foremost gods, Indra and Upendra, were delighted and immediately revealed their true forms. They appeared dark like sapphire gems, adorned with various ornaments, clad in divine yellow garments, and anointed with celestial fragrances. These two heroes, wielders of divine weapons, gods among gods, of immense strength, were the nourishers of the celestials and the destroyers of the demons. They were pleased by truth, skilled in truth, protectors of truth, the very fruit of truth, and the embodiment of the dharma of truth. (v.23-26)
Seeing them, the great sage Satyamedhā praised the god Satyanārāyaṇa [a form of Vishnu, often associated with truth and prosperity] who had come accompanied by Śakra. (v.27)
**Satyamedhā said:**
"I take refuge in the Protector of Truth, who is the very embodiment of truth, the Lord of truth, the dweller on the mountain of truth, whose vow is truth, and who is the Truth of truth. Ṛta [cosmic order, righteousness] and Satya [truth] are Your two eyes, O Lord of the worlds. Truth is protected by Ṛta, and Ṛta likewise by Truth. I bow to the Supreme Brahman, which is Ṛta and Satya, the Puruṣa [the cosmic being], dark and tawny, the celibate one, with unique eyes, and of universal form. (v.28-30)
Indeed, the truthfulness of truth does not exist without Ṛta, O Lord of Truth. The fulfillment of truth comes only through Ṛta, O Lord. I know You as the inner controller of all, the witness of truth, the very form of Ṛta, the best of sages, established in truth, and who sees all equally. (v.31-32)
Through Your Māyā [divine illusion], O Lord of Truth, the unreal appears as real, and the real as unreal. Pray reveal that ultimate truth to me. For name and form are merely for worldly transaction; they are ultimately false. Only Truth shines in the beginning, in the end, and in the middle. That Truth is one without a second, eternal and everlasting. Through Māyā, it is perceived in many forms, though in reality it is one. The world is born from Truth, abides in Truth, and attains dissolution in Truth. Therefore, Truth is supreme. (v.33-36)
Truth is Your very nature, and mine also, O best of gods. The question 'Who are you?' arises only from a lack of discrimination. He who perceives Truth everywhere is indeed wise. The one who sees truth, is equanimous and peaceful, attains supreme happiness. Therefore, abandoning untruth, one with firm vows should abide in truth. Untruth is the root of sorrow, and truth is the cause of happiness. (v.37-39)
Those people who merely speak of 'truth' do not truly know truth. Having truly known the nature of truth, silence is indeed superior." (v.40)
**The revered Guru said:**
Seeing the sage who had thus spoken and fallen silent, Lord Hari, with a smiling lotus-face, spoke the supreme truth. (v.41)
**The Lord said:**
"I am pleased with your devotion, O great sage Satyavrata. You are truly established in truth; truth is the highest austerity. By your name alone, this mountain shall gain fame throughout this world. I shall reside eternally on this Satyagiri, of this there is no doubt. (v.42-43)
Here, in the Kali age, I shall grant the fruit of the dharma of truth to all people. Thus, I shall destroy the sin of those who bear false witness. Those witnesses who speak falsehood in a court of justice, they go to a terrible hell. I am the witness of truth. Those who, realizing their own great sin, are filled with remorse and worship me here, I shall destroy that sin of theirs." (v.44-46)
**The revered Guru said:**
Having spoken thus, the Lord of the Universe, Lord Satyanārāyaṇa, is ever-present there on the holy Satyagiri. For those people in the Kali age who behold this holy place of Satya and Satyanārāyaṇa, no sin shall exist. (v.47-48)
Thus the sixth chapter, named "The Glory of Satyagiri," in the Fifth Part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
