Chapter summary
वारवेलापुरमाहात्म्यम् Vāravelā Pura Māhātmyam
The Glory of Vāravelāpuram
**The Sadguru said:**
For one's ultimate well-being, a devotee should take refuge in Śrīnivāsa, who is gracefully seated upon Śeṣa, in the city known as Vāravelā, on the sacred banks of the Vyāsa-tīrtha. O foremost among Vaishnavas, listen now to the profound narrative of Vyāsa's incarnation, a tale that dispels the ignorance of humanity and firmly establishes devotion to Vishnu. (v.1-2)
When the third age, Dvāpara, was nearing its conclusion, the great yogi Vyāsa was born to Parāśara through Vāsavī (Satyavatī), as a partial manifestation of Hari Himself. Residing at Śamyāprāsa, on the serene banks of the Sarasvatī river, the sage meticulously divided the Veda and imparted its wisdom to his devoted disciples. (v.3-4)
Contemplating that the three Vedas were beyond the auditory reach of women, śūdras, and the so-called twice-born (dvijabandhu), the compassionate sage mercifully composed the epic narrative of the Mahābhārata. Furthermore, to elucidate the profound truths of Vedānta, he clearly authored the Sūtras. Yet, despite these monumental achievements, a subtle distress arose spontaneously within his mind. He mused, "The glory of Vāsudeva has not been described with the fullness it deserves." Thus contemplating, the yogi settled back into his hermitage. (v.5-7)
It was then that the divine sage Nārada arrived, approaching Vyāsa and consoling him with various recitations of the Lord's sublime qualities. Prompted by Nārada, Vyāsa subsequently composed the supreme Bhāgavatam, the foremost among the Purāṇas, a sacred text overflowing with the glorious attributes of the Lord. (v.8-9)
In the midst of this, Rudra himself, the preceptor of all worlds, manifested from a fire pit in the form of a parrot, Śuka, for the sage. Vyāsa, who was Vishnu Himself, joyfully nurtured this son, miraculously born without a womb, alongside his disciples within his own hermitage. Initiated by Vyāsa, adorned with the muñja grass belt and a simple loincloth, Śukadeva shone brightly, distinguished by his tuft of hair and the ūrdhvapuṇḍra mark upon his forehead. (v.10-12)
Śukadeva, ever absorbed in meditation on Krishna, was naturally averse to worldly matters and became wholly dedicated to the path of renunciation. Observing his son's disinclination towards the dharma of worldly engagement and his profound commitment to renunciation, Vyāsa sent him to King Janaka for further inquiry into dharma. (v.13-14)
Having tested Vyāsa's son, who remained indifferent to honor and dishonor, and transcended all distinctions between man and woman, King Janaka then reverently worshipped him. The son of Vyāsa wandered about like one inert, like a madman, or even a spirit, utterly absorbed in meditation on Brahman, devoid of any sense of duality in the world. (v.15-16)
Filled with paternal affection, Vyāsa ran after his departing son, calling out with deep respect, "O son, O son!" Śuka, freed from all worldly bonds, ascended to the supreme abode of Vishnu through the sky by the power of yoga, leaving only his shadow visible in this world. (v.17-18)
Vyāsa, though Vishnu Himself, was overcome with grief for his son. The sage, wandering across the earth, eventually reached the city named Vāravelā. Here, he installed the deity Nārāyaṇa, Vishnu, seated upon Śeṣa, according to scriptural injunctions, and worshipped Him with profound reverence. Abandoning everything—his circle of disciples and his former hermitage—the sage Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana, now completely detached, performed intense austerities in this sacred place. (v.19-21)
At last, the glorious Lord, bearing the conch and discus, granted him His divine vision. Vyāsa, in turn, offered his heartfelt prayers to Keśava, who is ever affectionate to His devotees. (v.22)
**Vyāsa said:**
"O Lord, I implore You, remove this snare of delusion that binds me! Grant peace to my mind, for the desire for wife and son brings only sorrow. Truly blessed are those who find delight in their own true Self. Just as grains are produced from a multitude of crops, and fruits are born from a tree, so too are mortals born from a mortal womb. This, indeed, is the very creation of Māyā." (v.23-24)
"O sole Lord of the universe, I know all this, yet I am afflicted by grief for my son. Please remove this sorrow of mine and grant me meditation solely upon You, O Vishnu. I have composed the Bhāgavata Purāṇa, which exquisitely describes the experience of Your auspicious qualities. It was my fervent desire to teach that singular text to my son, and You are the benevolent giver of all that is desired." (v.25-26)
"O You who recline upon Śeṣa, do whatever is necessary! Other than Your lotus feet, O Ananta, I know no other place of refuge. Therefore, You alone are my ultimate shelter." (v.27)
**The Sadguru said:**
Thus praised, the Lord of the Worlds, the resident of Vāravelāpuram, seated upon Śeṣa, reverently consoled Vyāsadeva. (v.28)
**The Lord said:**
"Welcome, O Veda Vyāsa! You are indeed worshipped by all the worlds, O sage. You are I, and I am you; there is not even a trace of difference between us. For one such as you, Vyāsa, how can there be grief for a son? This experience, O Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana, has been demonstrated by you for the instruction of the world." (v.29-30)
"In this most holy *kṣetra* [sacred place], those who serve Me shall also find their grief for a son utterly destroyed, O fortunate one. Your son Śuka will return soon, O great sage. Go now once again to your hermitage at Śamyāprāsa." (v.31-32)
**The Sadguru said:**
Thus instructed by Vishnu, Vyāsa proceeded to Śamyāprāsa. Awaiting his son, he sat down joyfully. Śuka, the celibate and great sage, through the path of yoga, beheld Vāsudeva and that supreme abode of Vishnu. (v.33-34)
However, the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha sent the great sage Śukadeva back again for the salvation of the world. The Lord spoke to Śuka, saying, "You have been born on earth, O child, to narrate the Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. Therefore, go to your father and constantly sing My glories." (v.35-36)
Thus dispatched by the all-powerful Vishnu, the yogi, having reached his father, bowed once more with folded hands. Seeing his son, who was dedicated to renunciation, returned out of love, the divine Vyāsa embraced him with reverence. The divine sage then taught the entire scripture of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam to his son Śuka, who remained dedicated to renunciation. By the grace of Hari, Vyāsa became completely free from the grief for his son. This, then, is that supreme *kṣetra*, worshipped by Vyāsa himself. (v.37-40)
Thus ends the thirty-third chapter, titled "The Glory of Vāravelāpuram," in the Fifth Part of the Divyadeśavaibhavam, composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
