Chapter summary
निम्नगानगरमाहात्म्यम् Nimnagā Nagara Māhātmyam
The Greatness of Nimnagānagara
**Śrī Sadguru said:**
In ancient times, there lived a mighty demon named Vṛka, a terror to all worlds, utterly devoid of compassion and a deceiver of the gods. Desiring a boon from Maheśāna, he undertook a great and dreadful penance, one most arduous for any to perform. Pleased by this terrible austerity, Lord Maheśvara, whose banner bears the bull, spoke to him with compassion (v.1-3).
**Śrī Rudra said:**
"Arise from your penance, O demon!" declared Śrī Rudra. "I, the bestower of boons, have come. I shall grant your desired wish, for you are my steadfast devotee" (v.4).
**Vṛka said:**
"If it be so, O Lord of Lords, O bearer of the crescent moon," Vṛka replied, "then grant me this singular boon: upon whosoever's head I place my hand, may that being be instantly reduced to ashes by its mere touch" (v.5).
**Śrī Sadguru said:**
The Lord, swayed by the power of Vṛka's penance, assented, saying, "So be it." Immediately, Vṛka advanced, intent on placing his hand upon Shiva's own head. With the malign desire to slay the Supreme Lord and abduct Pārvatī, Śaṅkara, having granted the boon without due thought, found himself in dire peril. Rudra fled in haste, with Vṛka in swift pursuit. Thus, the two raced furiously through all three worlds. Finally, reaching the city of Nimnagā, Lord Rudra, in his fear of the demon Vṛka, sought refuge in Hari, whose complexion is dark as a raincloud (v.6-9).
**Śrī Rudra said:**
"O Lord of the universe, O Lord of Lakṣmī, O wielder of the mace, salutations to You! O friend in distress, O ocean of mercy, Keśava, Acyuta, Mādhava! Having granted a boon to the evil-minded Vṛka without reflection, I have fallen into this great distress. I seek refuge in You, O Mādhava. Grant me fearlessness, O Govinda, O protector of those who seek refuge! Salutations to You, O Śrīnivāsa, O bestower of all good fortune" (v.10-12).
**Śrī Bhagavān said:**
"Fear not, O blue-throated one," Śrī Bhagavān replied. "Welcome, and may all be well with you. This Vṛka shall soon be destroyed by his own sin. Remain here, in the shade of My lotus feet. I shall vanquish that deceiver, Vṛka, by means of deception itself" (v.13-14).
**Śrī Sadguru said:**
Having thus spoken, Lord Viṣṇu proceeded to the middle of the path, where, assuming the form of a Brahmacārin, He addressed the demon Vṛka (v.15).
**Śrī Bhagavān said:**
"Welcome, O Śākuneya! You are virtuous by nature," Śrī Bhagavān began. "I perceive no demon like you, who is such a benefactor of the world. Why do you run, O great-minded one, your body glistening with sweat? Seeing you so distressed, compassion wells up within Me" (v.16-17).
**Vṛka said:**
"Rudra granted me this boon: 'Upon whosoever's head I shall place my hand, he shall die.' Know that you are my friend," Vṛka explained. "To test its efficacy, O Lord, I am now pursuing him, intent on placing my hand upon his very head" (v.18-19).
**Śrī Bhagavān said:**
"Alas, O king of demons, you have been deceived by the enemy of the cities [Shiva]!" exclaimed Śrī Bhagavān. "Due to Dakṣa's curse, he has long wandered this world like a madman. His words are untrue; your effort is in vain. Seeing your plight, O demon, I too grieve out of compassion. If this be so, O king of demons, then by placing your hand upon *my* head, you will gain faith in my words, O Lord" (v.20-22).
**Vṛka said:**
"I have indeed been deceived, O great-minded one! My effort is for naught," Vṛka conceded. "I place my trust in you; you are my friend, O Lord" (v.23).
**Śrī Bhagavān said:**
"Witnessing such a state of yours, O Śākuneya, O great-souled one," Śrī Bhagavān responded, "I too cry out, beating my poor belly, O dear one" (v.24).
**Vṛka said:**
"Seeing my own plight, and you likewise beating your head," Vṛka declared, "I too, deceived by Śiva, cry along with you" (v.25).
**Śrī Sadguru said:**
Having thus spoken, the evil-minded demon, immediately beating his own head, was reduced to ashes by the mere touch of his own hand, and so he perished. Having thus slain the deceiver by deception, the Lord Himself swiftly went to Śiva and respectfully consoled him (v.26-27).
This, then, is that excellent holy place on earth, Nimnagānagara, which destroys great dangers for those who behold Śauri [Viṣṇu]. This remover of sins is situated in the sacred land of Kerala, where Viṣṇu, the Lord of the worlds, reclines upon the serpent couch (v.28-29).
Thus ends the twenty-second chapter, entitled "The Greatness of Nimnagānagara," in the Fifth Part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
