Chapter summary
श्रीवल्लभक्षेत्रमाहात्म्यम् Śrī Vallabha Kṣetra Māhātmyam
The Glory of Śrīvallabha Kṣetra
**Śrī Sadguru said:**
In the land of Kerala lies a supremely sacred place known as Śrīvallabhapura, the mere sight of which purifies and destroys all sins. (v.1)
Long ago, on the peak of Kailāsa, within the abode and temple of Śiva, there lived a *Piśāca* [a type of fiend or goblin] named Ghaṇṭākarṇa, a devoted servant of Rudra. Though he possessed unwavering devotion to Śiva, he harbored an intense hatred for Viṣṇu, refusing even to hear the name 'Nārāyaṇa'. To prevent this, he tied bells to his ears and roamed about, utterly dedicated to his animosity towards Viṣṇu. (v.2-4)
One day, as he wandered, he encountered Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna together on a path. The terrifying *Piśāca* accosted them, demanding, "Who are you two?" Seeing this *Piśāca*, a devotee of Śiva, Arjuna—also known as Dhanañjaya—who was eager to behold Śiva, responded with gentle words. (v.5-6)
**Arjuna said:**
"I am the renowned Pāṇḍava, Arjuna, a master archer. This is Kṛṣṇa, the wielder of the *cakra*, the Lord of Dvārakā, and my beloved friend. We have journeyed to the silver mountain, Kailāsa, to behold Śaṅkara. O *Piśāca*, you are a messenger of Śiva; pray, show us the way swiftly." (v.7-8)
**Ghaṇṭākarṇa said:**
"For what reason, and seeking what fruit, do you desire to see Śiva? Tell me quickly, O king, O mighty one." (v.9)
**Arjuna said:**
"In the past, I obtained the Pāśupata weapon by worshipping Kṛṣṇa's feet one night. Regarding this, a doubt has arisen in my heart: Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī, is the God of gods, Mahādeva. How then could Śambhu [Śiva] be worshipped through the adoration of this very person? I, in my wonder, posed this doubt to Kṛṣṇa, and He instructed me to 'Go and ask the eternal Śiva himself.' Therefore, with joy and curiosity, I undertake this journey to Kailāsa with Hari [Kṛṣṇa], both to see and to question Śiva." (v.10-13)
**Ghaṇṭākarṇa said:**
"Śiva alone is the supreme reality, the bestower of liberation upon mankind. He shines forth as the universal form, pervading the entire cosmos, the one with eight forms (*Aṣṭamūrti*). All the gods, the *Siddhas*, and the sages are indeed His very limbs. Is it not true, then, that by worshipping them, the worship of Śiva is accomplished?" (v.14-15)
**Arjuna said:**
"All the sages declare this son of Devakī, the Lord of Dvārakā and my friend, to be the supreme, eternal reality. Nārada, Devala, Vyāsa, Vasiṣṭha, Parāśara, the four Sanakādis, Mārkaṇḍeya, Manu, and Bhṛgu—all these great souls unequivocally declare the untainted Nārāyaṇa, Kṛṣṇa Himself, to be the supreme reality; there is no doubt. I myself witnessed His universal form on the battlefield. Why then, O *Piśāca*, do you assert that Rudra alone is the foremost among the gods?" (v.16-19)
**Śrī Sadguru said:**
Upon hearing these words, the chief of the *Piśācas* was overcome with extreme anger. Ringing the bells in his ears furiously, he raced towards the silver mountain. (v.20)
There, Ghaṇṭākarṇa beheld the divine Mahādeva, Rudra, adorned with the crescent moon, clad in a tiger skin, with a blue throat and the bull as His emblem. He saw the one with matted locks, of tranquil form, whose body was smeared with sacred ash, seated at the root of a banyan tree on a tiger skin in the *vīrāsana* posture. This three-eyed deity was instructing the supreme reality to the sages before Him with the *cinmudrā* [a symbolic hand gesture signifying knowledge or consciousness]. (v.21-23)
**Śiva said:**
"Listen, all you sages who desire liberation, with utmost attention. Having churned the essence of all scriptures, I speak only the truth. What is the use of other deities who bestow only temporary fruits upon mankind? Hari alone should always be meditated upon by you who long for liberation." (v.24-25)
**Śrī Sadguru said:**
As the Lord of Gaurī [Śiva] spoke thus, Ghaṇṭākarṇa stood before Mahādeva, astonished, with hands folded in devotion. (v.26)
At that moment, the two heroes, Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, arrived there and, with profound devotion, bowed to the moon-crested deity, placing their folded hands upon their heads. (v.27)
Recognizing Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna as the sages Nara and Nārāyaṇa descended to this world, Śiva, along with His attendants, worshipped them. (v.28)
Then Pārtha [Arjuna], with great affection, presented his doubt to Śaṅkara: "How does pleasure for Śiva arise from the worship of Kṛṣṇa?" (v.29)
Thereupon, Lord Śiva, whose vehicle is the bull, addressed Dhanañjaya in the presence of all the sages. (v.30)
**Śiva said:**
"Vāsudeva, Kṛṣṇa, is the universal form, the Lord of the entire universe. I, Brahmā, Śakra [Indra], and all the gods—He is indeed all of them. Therefore, nothing higher than that Supreme Self is seen. Hence, by His worship alone, all the gods are worshipped. Those base men who, out of hatred, abandon Hari and worship me—though I am *Āśutoṣa* [easily pleased], O Pārtha, I am never pleased with them." (v.31-33)
**Śrī Sadguru said:**
Hearing the words of Śiva, Vijaya [Arjuna], his doubt dispelled, returned with Hari to the city named Hastināpura. (v.34)
Ghaṇṭākarṇa too, having attained firm devotion to Govinda [Kṛṣṇa] and being prompted by Śiva himself, went to the holy place of Śrīvallabha. (v.35)
There, with profound devotion, the king of *Piśācas* installed and worshipped Lord Viṣṇu, Śrīvallabha, and thereby attained liberation. (v.36)
Who, desiring liberation from the terrible ocean of worldly existence, would not seek the vision of Śrīvallabha, the ocean of mercy, who grants liberation even to a *Piśāca*? (v.37)
By the grace of Śrīvallabha, a devotee shall attain liberation, after first being blessed with long life, health, wealth, and a joyous existence. (v.38)
Thus ends the twenty-ninth chapter, named "The Glory of Śrīvallabha Kṣetra," in the Fifth Part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
