Chapter summary
श्रीवैकुण्ठक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यम् Śrī Vaikuṇṭha Kṣetra Māhātmyam
The Glory of the Sacred Site of Śrīvaikuṇṭha
**The Sadguru said:**
From the majestic Malaya mountain springs forth the great river Tāmraparṇī, a sacred stream by drinking even a drop of whose waters, devotion to Lord Hari spontaneously arises. Its banks, verdant with diverse trees, are adorned with temples dedicated to Śiva, Viṣṇu, Guha, and other deities. The river nourishes the rice fields through canals that mirror its own grandeur, and it graces the *agrahāras* [Brahmin settlements] of Brāhmaṇas deeply learned in the Vedas. Furnished with bathing pavilions (*maṇṭapas*) and enclosed by jeweled steps, its shining banks are hallowed by the lotus feet of countless Vaiṣṇavas. Served by circles of sages engaged in various spiritual disciplines, the river offers a sweet, melodious sound from the waves of its mighty current. (v.1-5)
Its waters are as clear as crystal, enlivened by the playful dance of fish. Along its banks lie nine sacred and magnificent sites dedicated to the great Viṣṇu, the God of gods, the wielder of the discus. I shall now narrate their glory, which eradicates all sins, for by merely hearing of it, one attains every auspicious blessing. (v.6-7)
There once lived a king of thieves named Kāladūṣaka, a man of immense strength, great courage, and a noble spirit, renowned as a protector of the distressed. He was the chieftain of a thousand thieves, frequenting mountains and forests, and would regularly enter the city at night to commit his acts of theft. (v.8-9)
His routine included a daily visit to Lord Acyuta at Vaikuṇṭha, situated on the bank of the Tāmraparṇī. He would pray to the Lord before embarking on his nocturnal expeditions. The wealth he acquired was meticulously divided into four portions: one part he offered in worship to Viṣṇu, the second he dedicated to the Vaiṣṇavas, with the third he practiced dharma, and the fourth he kept for himself. He exclusively targeted the homes of the greedy rich, never those of the poor or the righteous. (v.10-12)
Viṣṇu, the knower of all hearts, the discerning judge of dharma's essence, and ever intent on uplifting His devotees, was thus favorably disposed towards this unique king of thieves. (v.13)
One day, Kāladūṣaka, accompanied by his followers, raided the great royal palace and absconded with all its gold and ornaments. The king’s servants, dispatched by their furious monarch, searched far and wide for the king of thieves and eventually apprehended him, standing fearlessly. The king, his eyes red with anger, questioned the thief, resolute in his decision to punish him, much like Dharma-rāja [Yama, the god of justice] himself. (v.14-16)
**The King said:**
"Who are you, fool? Where is your dwelling? And who are your confederates? Since you have committed this theft, you shall most certainly be punished by me!" (v.17)
**The Thief said:**
"I am Kāladūṣaka, the lord of thieves, and I reside with my kinsmen in the forest on the bank of the Tāmraparṇī. Thievery is indeed my profession, O King, and it is for this reason I have acted thus. I welcome any punishment you mete out; I have no fear." (v.18-19)
"I am not the only thief, O King; my God is also a thief! Our share of the stolen wealth is equal. Therefore, O Lord, extend your punishment also to the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha, for it was solely with His favor that everything was stolen, of this there is no doubt." (v.20-21)
**The Sadguru said:**
As the chief of thieves spoke thus, the king was utterly astonished, witnessing his unwavering courage and his pure devotion to Viṣṇu. (v.22)
Just then, a Brāhmaṇa entered the assembly—a man advanced in both wisdom and age, a profound knower of the Vedas, eloquent, tall, and preeminent among the radiant. The king worshipped him and inquired after his well-being, whereupon the Brāhmaṇa stated the reason for his arrival. (v.23-24)
**The Brāhmaṇa said:**
"I know this great-souled chief of thieves, Kāladūṣaka. He is righteous, true to his word, and ever dedicated to protecting the distressed. For the service of Viṣṇu and the Vaiṣṇavas, and for the protection of the poor, he constantly steals the wealth of greedy rich men, O King." (v.25-26)
**The King said:**
"Be that as it may, theft is undeniably a great sin. Therefore, he must be punished and is not to be pitied in any way." (v.27)
**The Brāhmaṇa said:**
"Not all who steal are thieves; the truly greedy alone are the thieves—those who hoard wealth meant for dharma, all in vain. He who, upon seeing the distressed and the greatly afflicted, remains devoid of even a trace of compassion and holds himself in high esteem—that is the thief who deserves punishment. Many people perform actions for the welfare of the world; he who eats daily while being lazy is the foremost among sinners." (v.28-30)
"Knowing this subtlety of dharma, O Lord, do what must be done. As for me, I, a Brāhmaṇa, am also an accomplice of this king of thieves." (v.31)
**The Sadguru said:**
Having uttered these words, that Brāhmaṇa, the accomplice of the king of thieves, immediately deluded the king with his divine *māyā* [illusory power] and disappeared. The king, realizing that the magical Brāhmaṇa was none other than the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha Himself, released His devotee, the king of thieves. (v.32-33)
From that time onwards, the king too repeatedly encouraged the greedy rich to perform acts of dharma and became a friend of the king of thieves. Thus, Bhagavān, the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha, came to be known as the Lord of the Thief (Coranātha). The thief, in turn, abandoned his thievery and shone forth as a supreme devotee of the Lord (*Bhāgavatottama*). (v.34-35)
Those who come to Śrīvaikuṇṭha and worship the Lord of the Thief have no fear from kings, nor do they have any fear from thieves. (v.36)
Thus ends the eleventh chapter, named 'The Glory of the Sacred Site of Śrīvaikuṇṭha', in the fifth part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
