Chapter summary
श्रीबदरक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यम् Śrī Badara Kṣetra Māhātmyam
The Glory of Śrī Badara Kṣetra
**The revered Guru said:**
Once, the deity Varuṇa, lord of the waters, engaged in sport within his own abode, the ocean (known as Ratnākara), accompanied by his consorts, the rivers Jāhnavī, Narmadā, and others. At that time, seeing the brāhmaṇa Bṛhaspati, the preceptor of the gods, who had arrived there, Varuṇa, in his eagerness for playful pleasure, failed to accord him due reverence. Therefore, Bṛhaspati, the master, swiftly disregarded Varuṇa and departed for his own dwelling, maintaining his dignity. (v.1-3)
As a consequence of his disrespect towards his guru, Varuṇa's vigor, strength, and renown were lost. Then, the Daityas, greatly delighted, advanced for battle. Having conquered Varuṇa in combat, the mighty Dānavas seized his kingdom, his divine noose (*pāśa*), and the ocean itself. (v.4-5)
Distraught, Varuṇa immediately went to the assembly of Brahmā and presented his lament to Brahmā, the Supreme Creator. (v.6)
**Varuṇa said:**
"O Prajāpati, salutations to You! May You be pleased, O Lotus-seated One! It was by Your decree that we were entrusted with the protection of the worlds. We, the Lokapālas [guardians of the worlds], bear Your command upon our heads, O Lord. Yet, the mighty Daityas, having defeated me in battle, have seized my wealth. Thus humiliated and bereft of my own abode, I take refuge in You alone. What course of action should I pursue hereafter?" (v.7-9)
**Brahmā said:**
"O you whose vehicle is a fish [Varuṇa], you were defeated in battle due to your disrespect towards your guru. Only by the grace of your guru will you attain auspicious fortune once more. By scorning, rebuking, disregarding, or disrespecting a guru, arrogant people suddenly forfeit all forms of prosperity. Therefore, you must propitiate your guru, who is worshipped even by the gods. Only by the grace of your guru will you regain your fortune." (v.10-12)
**The revered Guru said:**
Thus advised, King Varuṇa approached Bṛhaspati, bowed down, and appeased him, seeking pardon for his offense. The guru, ever compassionate to the afflicted, was immediately pleased. He then uttered a gracious word to Varuṇa, the most excellent among the gods. (v.13-14)
**The Guru said:**
"O great king, I am pleased by this humility of yours. Therefore, out of compassion, I shall indeed reveal to you the path to well-being. By disrespecting Brāhmaṇas, people certainly fall from their positions, for Brāhmaṇas, embodying the Vedas, hold Viṣṇu within their very speech. On the bank of the river Tāmraparṇī, there is a Badarī forest. There, establish and worship Viṣṇu, O highly renowned one. Through the grace of that Viṣṇu, I am now pleased with you, O Lord. Viṣṇu is indeed the very essence of the gods; take refuge in Him and conquer your foes." (v.15-18)
**The revered Guru said:**
Inspired by his guru's words, King Varuṇa, with profound devotion, journeyed to the bank of the Tāmraparṇī and worshipped Keśava. There, the glorious Lord, resplendent with *makara*-shaped earrings [crocodile-shaped], appeared, accompanied by Śrī and Bhūmī, bearing His conch, discus, and mace. Bowing to Janārdana, the Lord of all worlds and the God of gods, King Varuṇa praised Him, his eyes brimming with tears of devotion. (v.19-21)
**Varuṇa said:**
"By Your mere will alone, You create, sustain, and dissolve all the worlds. And by pervading us, You shine forth; thus, the scriptures proclaim You as Viṣṇu, the All-Pervader. You are the controller of both Suras and Asuras; all the gods are but Your very limbs. This entire universe is pervaded by You, O Universal Form! Salutations, salutations to You! You are ever compassionate to those who bow before You. (v.22-23)
Having attained a position through some measure of merit, people, established in their station, forget the profound efficacy of Your compassion. Intoxicated by self-importance, they once again find sorrow through their pride. You are indeed the remover of the pride of the arrogant. As Time, meticulously counting their lifespan, You shine forth, ever present behind them, O Lord. Yet, those deluded by pride fail to perceive You. (v.24-25)
Wherever any glory shines forth, it is indeed You who are manifest there. Hence, the wise are never astonished by the prowess of any being. The serene and great souls, who behold all with an equal eye, offer their salutations to You everywhere. Faults such as envy, fear, and anger never find root in their hearts. (v.26-27)
I know all this, O Supreme Self! Yet, Your *Māyā* [divine illusion] is indeed formidable to surmount. Therefore, I ask for but a small boon: my lost kingdom, which has been seized by the sons of Danu. Salutations, salutations to You, who are ever affectionate to those who seek refuge, to Nārāyaṇa, the lotus-eyed one, to the Creator of manifold worlds, to the Supreme Being who reclines upon the king of serpents." (v.28-29)
**The revered Guru said:**
Thus extolled, Bhagavān, the Lord of the Universe, whose vehicle is Garuḍa [the divine eagle], engaged in battle with the Asuras and vanquished them with effortless ease. Hari, Vāsudeva, the Lord of the world, then restored the noose, the kingdom, and his very abode—the ocean—to the immeasurable Varuṇa. (v.30-31)
This is that Badara Kṣetra, situated on the bank of the Tāmraparṇī. Those who worship there never know defeat. By the mere sight of Kṛṣṇa, the indweller of Badara Kṣetra, one regains a lost kingdom, wealth, grain, and renown. (v.32-33)
Here ends the seventeenth chapter, titled "The Glory of Śrī Badara Kṣetra," in the Fifth Part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
Thus ends Chapter 17, named "Śrī Badara Kṣetra Māhātmyam", in Pañcama Bhāge, in the Divya Deśa Vaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
