Chapter summary
धन्विपुरमाहात्म्यम् Dhanvi Pura Māhātmyam
The Glory of Dhanvipuram
**The Sadguru said:**
In ancient times, there lived a mighty asura named Kālanemi, renowned for his prowess. Accompanied by his retinue, he relentlessly perpetrated violence against the Brahmanas. This wicked-minded demon, having performed a terribly severe penance, brought the four-faced Brahmā under his sway. Obtaining boons from the creator, he became excessively arrogant due to their power. Waging war against the gods and invading Amarāvatī, the celestial capital, this chief of the dānavas [demons] established his own kingdom in heaven. (v.1-3)
Frightened by his tyranny, all the gods secretly fled to Dhanvipuram, a sacred place [Divya Deśam]. There, with their families, they hid, reduced to a pitiable state. Witnessing their plight, the four-faced Brahmā himself went to them and offered solace, recounting the boundless glory of Viṣṇu. (v.4-5)
Hearing Brahmā's words, the gods journeyed to the Ocean of Milk and sought refuge in the ultimate haven, the granter of fearlessness to the terrified. Then, Viṣṇu, Keśava, the Lord of all, bestowed His own divine strength upon them and sent them forth to do battle with the asuras. (v.6-7)
When the great asura Kālanemi heard from the mouth of Nārada about the increased strength of those who had taken refuge in Viṣṇu, he came forth, filled with arrogance. Seeing Kālanemi arrive with a vast army, ready for battle, the gods were filled with renewed enthusiasm. (v.8-9)
Relying on Keśava's strength, the gods then engaged in combat. Nevertheless, the dānava proved formidable, striking down all the gods in the battle. Wielding maces, axes, śataghnīs, swords, arrows, and mighty spears, he slew them all. Terrified, Varuṇa abandoned his noose, Yama his staff—his own weapon, Indra too cast aside his vajra, and all the deities their weapons, fleeing to Keśava for refuge. (v.10-12)
Then Viṣṇu, the Lord of all, mounting the son of Vinatā (Garuḍa) and taking the discus in His hand, arrived on the battlefield. Merely by the sight of Viṣṇu, the best of gods became delighted and, filled with excitement, praised Him, exclaiming, "Victory, victory to You, O Deva!" (v.13-14)
Keśava employed the discus with effortless play. Kālanemi was struck down instantly and fell to the earth like a felled tree. Struck by the discus, all the dānavas were brought down to the earth, which then became crimson with streams of blood. (v.15-16)
Having thus conquered those daityas [demons] and re-established the gods in heaven, Vāsudeva, the controller of all gods, disappeared. (v.17)
This is that supreme kṣetra [sacred abode] of the Lord of Śrī, the wielder of the Śārṅga bow, renowned by the name Dhanvipuram, the destroyer of all sins. In this kṣetra, there stood a great, vast banyan tree. In its shade, the sage Mārkaṇḍeya performed intense penance. This yogi, an observer of great vows, a long-lived great sage, had conquered death through his penance and remained eternally sixteen years old. Residing for many kalpas [cosmic epochs], devoted to meditation on Viṣṇu, in every kalpa he would behold Hari reclining on the waters of dissolution. (v.18-21)
Still unsatisfied and desiring to see Viṣṇu again, the sweet-spoken sage, firm in his vows, went to Dhanvipuram and performed further penance. (v.22)
Once, when the great pralaya [cosmic dissolution] arrived and waters flooded all creation, the king of yogis beheld Viṣṇu, reclining upon a banyan leaf. His eyes were like lotus petals, His radiance like a sapphire; He was served by Indra and other gods, the very beloved of Indirā's life. Bearing the Śrīvatsa mark and the Kaustubha gem, intent on protecting those who sought His shelter, He was Śrīdhara, the support of the universe, a child of exquisite beauty, sucking His own toe—the very sprout of supreme bliss. Seeing Him thus, Mārkaṇḍeya's lotus-like eyes became moist with tears of love. (v.23-26)
The king of yogis, the great sage Mārkaṇḍeya, then praised the God, his hands joined in a hollow over his head, intent on meditating on Mukunda. (v.27)
**Mārkaṇḍeya said:**
"O Govinda, O abode of the universe! I know You alone to be the root of the three worlds. At the time of dissolution, the universe merges into You alone, and You, O Keśava, remain, known as Śeṣa, the remainder. (v.28)
Just as gold, taking on various names and forms, shines forth, so do You. In the beginning, in the middle, and likewise at the end, though appearing in diverse forms, You shine forth as one. (v.29)
Relying on You, who are of this nature, the ultimate reality, the entire universe shines. Without You, this is surely an illusion; from You, indeed, the universe is born and is real. (v.30)
Some logicians, relying on their own intellect, declare You, the ultimate cause, and this entire universe, its effect, to be a mere void. Yet, You stand forth as the very witness of that void; and indeed, if the void itself is perceived, it must, by its very nature, possess a reality. (v.31)
For You, the knower, all is knowable. The establishment of valid knowledge (pramāṇa) comes from You alone. You are unknowable, the supreme reality. As the form of pure consciousness, You shine forth by Yourself. (v.32)
Yet, the wise, having deliberated with the scriptures and having set aside the world by saying 'not this, not this,' come to know the supreme inner Self and attain the ultimate, eternal welfare. (v.33)
You alone are their supreme immortality. By drinking of You alone, they conquer death. I praise You, the one who pervades everything, the infinite, the primal, the one ocean of bliss. (v.34)
It is through the joyful eagerness of worshipping Your lotus feet that I live for a life spanning countless hundreds of kalpas. For what purpose would such a long life serve me in a world replete with endless happiness and sorrow, if not for this devotion?" (v.35)
**The Sadguru said:**
Thus praised, Hari, the Lord of the universe reclining on the banyan leaf, consoled the weary sage Mārkaṇḍeya. In that kṣetra of Dhanvipuram, on a beautiful banyan leaf, Keśava, who was present even during the time of dissolution, is seen even today. (v.36-37)
Those who read this "Glory of the Dhanvipuram Kṣetra" will attain a long life and develop profound devotion to Keśava. (v.38)
Here ends the tenth chapter, titled "The Glory of Dhanvipuram," in the Fifth Part of the "Divya Deśa Vaibhavam" composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
Thus ends Chapter 10, named "Dhanvi Pura Māhātmyam", in Pañcama Bhāge, in the Divya Deśa Vaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
