Chapter summary
गुरुवायुपुरवैभवम् Guruvāyu Pura Vaibhavam
The Glory of Guruvāyupura
Śrī Sadguru speaks:
Of all sacred places in the entire universe, none equals Mathurā; no holy water compares to the Yamunā; and no deity is on par with Śrī Keśava. It was in Mathurā that the noble and devout Vasudeva, together with Devakī, worshipped that very Keśava, who is none other than Kṛṣṇa. (v.1-2)
They offered their devotion to the Lord whose four arms are resplendent, bearing the conch, discus, mace, and lotus; who is the very abode of Śrī; dark as a monsoon cloud, with His chest marked by the auspicious Śrīvatsa. He is the God with a serene countenance, clad in radiant yellow garments, His eyes as vast as lotus petals, ever the bestower of desired fruits upon His devotees. (v.3-4)
That same Supreme Lord, thus fervently prayed to by Vasudeva, the son of Śūrasena, manifested Himself in the form of Kṛṣṇa, driven by the divine desire to alleviate the burden of the earth. (v.5)
Thereafter, Mukunda journeyed to Śrī Gokula, where He enacted various enchanting divine plays (*līlās*) with His beloved friends. He then returned to Mathurā, vanquished Kaṃsa, and bestowed fearlessness upon His parents. (v.6)
Witnessing His people afflicted by Jarāsandha, this younger brother of Balarāma then constructed the magnificent city of Śrī Dvārakā amidst the ocean and entered it. Śauri (Vasudeva), intent on worshipping Śrī Keśava with utmost intensity, brought Him there. Indeed, the Lord, ever subject to the devotion of His bhaktas, Himself journeyed to Śrī Dvārakā. (v.7-8)
When Vasudeva's son concluded all His incarnate *līlās* and withdrew from the earthly realm, and alas, when all the people, maddened by drink, had perished at the close of the *yuga*, the sea, its mouth rent open by stormy waves, swallowed the entire city. It was then that Guru (Bṛhaspati) and Vāyu brought that primeval *mūrti* [deity-form] of Keśava to the shore. (v.9-10)
Upon the seashore, Sadāśiva revealed to them a spot lush with trees and shrubs, and respectfully instructed Vāyu and Guru to install Mukunda there. Having installed the *mūrti* of Mukunda in that sacred place, Vāyu, Guru, and Maheśa worshipped Him. Maheśa, with tears flowing from his eyes, offered devotional praise, joined by Vāyu, Guru, and all the assembled gods, with folded hands. (v.11-12)
Guru speaks:
I worship the Lord of Vātālaya [Guruvāyur], who bears the pure conch and discus in His upper pair of hands, and a most beautiful lotus and mace in His lower pair; whose form is dark as a cloud, with a splendid yellow garment shining upon His waist; whose chest is marked by the Śrīvatsa, and whose face is ever smiling. (v.13)
Vāyu speaks:
Leaving that supreme abode, known through the words of the Vedas and serving as the refuge of the liberated, You first came to Mathurā and performed various *līlās*. Then, O ocean of mercy, You proceeded to Dvāravatī, and by Your divine *Māyā*, You departed from that city. Now, of Your own free will, You have come here and remain, bestowing joy upon all who take refuge in You. (v.14)
Maheśa speaks:
O Lord of all, I, Maheśvara, worship You, O one of immense glory! O ocean of the nectar of compassion, what need is there to speak of other gods? How can there be any happiness without taking refuge in You? (v.15)
The Devas speak:
Appointed by You in our respective roles, O God of gods, we indeed perform our duties. O Lord of Kamalā, we undertake this with the attitude of selfless service (*kaiṅkarya*), abandoning all desire for its fruits. (v.16)
The Bhāgavatas speak:
O Hari, O ocean of compassion, as long as the moon and sun exist in this world, may You be pleased in this sacred place, with Your lotus feet worshipped by Your devotees. By taking refuge in You, Keśava—the ultimate goal of the virtuous and the bestower of desires upon Your devotees—may people afflicted by various sorrows in the Kali Yuga find liberation of their own accord. (v.17)
Thus praised, Jagannātha, residing in Guruvāyupura, even today removes the sorrow of all devotees who take refuge in Him. This indeed is that great and auspicious sacred place, Guruvāyupura, where the pleased Lord is served even in this Kali Yuga. Those who, in the Kali Yuga, journey to Guruvāyupura and behold Kṛṣṇa there, their birth is truly fruitful; they are fulfilled, of this there is no doubt. (v.18-20)
Thus concludes the thirty-fifth chapter, named "The Glory of Guruvāyupura," in the Fifth Part of "Divyadeśavaibhavam," composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
