Chapter summary
पण्डरीपुरमाहात्म्यम् Paṇḍarī Pura Māhātmyam
The Glory of Paṇḍarīpura
**The Devotees said:**
O most excellent Sadguru, please narrate to us the glory of the sacred place of Paṇḍarī, where Lord Kṛṣṇa stands with His lotus-like hand resting upon His hip. Even in this age of Kali, He performs diverse divine pastimes amidst the gathering of His devotees, who are ever immersed in chanting His holy names. (v.1-2)
**The Sadguru said:**
No sacred place has ever been, nor ever will be, like Paṇḍarī. No deity has ever been, nor ever will be, like Pāṇḍuraṅga. Similarly, no holy river has ever been, nor ever will be, like the Candrabhāgā, and no devotee has ever been, nor ever will be, like Puṇḍarīka. (v.3-4)
There once lived a Brāhmaṇa named Puṇḍarīka, foremost among Vaiṣṇavas. He embarked on a pilgrimage accompanied by his elderly parents and his wife. However, his parents were old and weary, and his wife was sorely afflicted by the journey. The excellent Brāhmaṇa found himself unable to continue the pilgrimage with them in their distressed state. (v.5-6)
One day, upon reaching the bank of the Candrabhāgā, he chanced upon a great sage named Kukkuṭa and reverently prostrated before him. The sage advised him, "O Brāhmaṇa, reside right here and personally devote yourself to serving your parents. The sacred water from your father's feet yields greater merit than all holy places combined." The Brāhmaṇa humbly accepted the great sage's counsel and diligently served his parents alongside his wife. (v.7-9)
Mādhava, the Lord of the Universe, desiring to behold this paragon of filial devotion, came from Dvārakā accompanied by Rukmiṇī. Puṇḍarīka, after offering Him a brick as a seat and completing his service to his parents, then duly worshipped the Lord who had graced his home. "Who are You?" the Brāhmaṇa asked with folded hands. "I am the Lord of the city of Dvārakā," replied the Supreme Person. Recognizing Him as the Supreme Lord, Puṇḍarīka's eyes brimmed with tears, and he praised Him with a voice choked with devotional love. (v.10-13)
**Puṇḍarīka said:**
I bow to You, O Lord, who stands upon a brick, delighting the eyes of the virtuous with the splendor of Your form, like a fresh monsoon cloud, the sanctuary of the gods, with Your hand resting upon Your hip, an ocean of compassion. I worship Pāṇḍuraṅga, the innermost essence of those who surrender, who bears the auspicious *ūrdhvapuṇḍra* mark upon His forehead, is adorned with the resplendent Kaustubha gem, has swaying earrings, is the consort of Śrī, wears a gentle smile, is clad in a flowing golden-yellow garment, and possesses eyes overflowing with compassion. (v.14-15)
I worship Murāri, the Lord Mukunda, the grantor of liberation, who joyously dances amidst the assembly of devotees, who is eulogized with songs accompanied by the flute, *vīṇā*, and *mṛdaṅga*, and who enchants the minds of sages. I worship Him who is always accompanied by Rukmiṇī and Satyabhāmā on His two sides, who is the ultimate treasure, who is worshipped before Him by Vainateya [Garuḍa], and who is served by the son of Vāyu, Hanumān. I worship Pāṇḍuraṅga, the very embodiment of the Supreme Brahman, who is worshipped here by Gaṇeśa, Durgā, and Maheśa, and indeed by all the gods; who is the personification of eternal bliss and the ultimate refuge for all beings. (v.16-18)
**The Sadguru said:**
Hearing the hymn composed by Puṇḍarīka, the lotus-eyed Supreme Lord, ever affectionate to His devotees, spoke. "Choose a boon, and may you be blessed. I am pleased with you, O foremost of Brāhmaṇas. Your *dharma* delights Me, for indeed, *dharma* is the very path to happiness." (v.19-20)
**Puṇḍarīka said:**
If You are pleased with my *dharma*, O very soul of *dharma*, O protector of righteousness, then please remain here as long as the sun and moon endure, bestowing Your divine *darśana*. May devotees, coming again and again, behold You, the very embodiment of the nectar of bliss, and attain supreme felicity, O Lord of Śrī. (v.21-22)
**The Sadguru said:**
Thus implored, Viṣṇu, the Lord of Vaikuṇṭha and Supreme Controller, ever affectionate to His devotees, established His divine presence right there. Those people in the age of Kali who behold the Lord Paṇḍarinātha, whether by chance or with fervent devotion, are truly blessed; there is no doubt. (v.23-24)
By the grace of Pāṇḍuraṅga, human beings certainly obtain longevity, health, prosperity, and progeny that enhances their lineage. Kṛṣṇa, who bears the responsibility for the welfare of His devotees, is their ultimate refuge. Here, Viṭṭhala stands upon a brick, accompanied by Ramā [Lakṣmī]. In this world, afflicted by various sorrows, who that is fortunate would not take refuge in Pāṇḍuraṅga, who is a wish-fulfilling tree (*kalpavṛkṣa*) for those who surrender and is ever compassionate to His devotees? (v.25-27)
Thus ends the thirty-seventh chapter, named "The Glory of Paṇḍarīpura," in the Fifth Part of the "Divyadeśavaibhavam," composed by Śrī Kṛṣṇapremi Mahāprabhu.
