Purushottama Appears to the King in the Guise of an Ascetic

Sumati said:

1-3. The best king having heard this matchless importance of Gandaki looked upon himself as blessed. Having bathed and having gratified all his (dead) ancestors, the great one was delighted. Having, according to the words of the brahmana, worshipped the salagrama, the best king took there twentyfour salagrama (stones) and with affection worshipped them with such means of worship as sandal etc.

4-5. Then the king, having given gifts there, especially to the poor and the blind, started to go to the temple of Vishnu. Thus, in due order, he reached the confluence of Ganga and the ocean. Having brought it within the range of his sight (i.e. having seen it), he joyfully asked the brahmana:

6. " O lord, tell me, how far is the greatmountain called Nila which is the abode of Vishnu and which is saluted by gods and demons."

7-10. Having, at that time, heard the important words of (i.e. uttered by) king Ratnagriva, he (i.e. the brahmana), full of amazement, respectfully < -aid to the king: " O king, this is the region of the mountain Nila which is adored. Why is it giving great religious merit not seen by you (i.e. why can you not see it)? " Again and again he said: " This is the region of the Nila mountain. How is this (i.e. how can this), the place of the residence of Vishnu, not seen, (not be seen) by you? Here I had bathed properly. Here I had seen the bhillas. Along this way only I had climbed up the mountain."

11-16. Hearing these words of him, the king was mentally afflicted. Making his mind eager to see the Nila-mountain, the king said (to him): " Tell us the means by which I shall see Vishnu, and I shall see the Nila (mountain)." Then hearing the words of king Ratnagriva, the ascetic brahmana, 'amazed by the king, said (these) words: " O king, having bathed at the confluence of Ganga and the ocean we should remain here as long as the Nila (mountain) is not seen. The (praise of) the great god called Purushottama, and destroyer of sins, will be sung. He who has the name 'Bhaktavatsala' (i.e. affectionate to his devotees) will quickly do favour. He, the crest-jewel of gods will not abandon (his) devotees. Many devotees have been protected by him. Therefore, O you very intelligent one, sing (the praise of) him."

17-19. Hearing these words, the king with his mind afflicted, bathed at the confluence of Gaiiga and the ocean and observed a fast. " When Purushottama (i.e. Vishnu) will show favour by appearing (before me) I shall worship him and take food; otherwise I shall (follow) the vow of non-eating." Having made such a vow, he sang (songs praising) the multitude of virtues of Hari on the bank of the (confluence of) Ganga and the ocean; and observed a fast. The king said: ("

20-24. Victory to you who show compassion to the helpless; victory to you who remove misery, and who are called auspicious. Victory to you who destroy the suffering of your devotees; victory to you who have taken up a lovely form and who destroy the wicked. Seeing Ambarisa afflicted and with all his auspicious things destroyed due to the curse of a brahmana, you holding the Sudarsana disc in your hand protected him by living in his belly. He (i.e. Prahlada) who was harassed by his father, the king of demons, was at once protected by you — when his father was seeing it having the form of Nrsirhha, by dropping spears, nooses, water and fire. Seeing the excellent lord of elephants whose foot had fallen into (i.e. was caught in) the mouth of an alligator and which was extremely afflicted, you, with your good heart wet with (i.e. full of) pity, mounted on Garuda. Then you abandoned (i.e. got down from) the bird (i.e. Garuda), took (your Sudarsana) disc; you whose speed causes a series of tremors in the sky are (i.e. were) sung (i.e. praised) by him (i.e. the elephant) with his life (i.e. sincerely). You liberated him from the alligator and instantly destroyed him (i.e. the alligator).

25-28. O lord, wherever your worshipper is oppressed, you take up a bodily form and protect your (worshipper) by means of your acts removing sins. O you who protect the helpless, O you whose feet are rubbed by the diamonds on the heads of the gods, O you to whom the devotees are dear, O you who burn crores of sins, O lord, grant me your vision. If this sinful person has come to your mind (i.e. if you think about him) then, show (yourself to him). We are yours O you who are worshipped by gods and demons, your destroying the stream of sins is not forgotten by us. Those who utter your pure name, cross the entire ocean of sins. If I have remembered you, then, let me reach you, O you who remove all sins. Sumati said:

29-31. Thus the king, singing the merits (of the lord) at night and by day also, did not have rest or comfort even for a moment. Singing (the lord's virtues), going (to his image), invoking (him), standing (by his image), he day and night said this: " O lord of grace, O Purushottama, show me your body." Thus the king passed five days on the confluence of Ganga and the ocean. Then the lord of the senses, the ocean of favour, thought through compassion:

32. 'This king has become free from sins due to singing my (virtues). Let him see my greatness honoured by gods and demons.'

33-34. Then the mighty lord, thinking like this, and with his mind full of compassion, put on the apparel of an ascetic, went near the king. O great king, having gone there after putting on the apparel of an ascetic, he reached him through compassion for the devotee and the ascetic saw him.

35-42. The best king, saying, 'Salutation to Vishnu', saluted him. With his mind devoted to Vishnu, he worshipped him with respectful offerings, water for washing his feet and with a seat; (and) said: " Matchless is my luck that I have seen you. Hereafter Vishnu will appear before me." Hearing these words of him, the ascetic said to him: " O king, listen to what I say. By means of my knowledge, I know the past, the future, and the present. Therefore, I (shall) say something. Listen with a concentrated mind. Tomorrow, at noon, Vishnu difficult to be seen even by Brahma, will appear to you. With five kinsmen of you you will reach the highest place. (Those who will reach the highest place are: ) you, (your) minister, your wife, the ascetic brahmana and the good weaver named Karamba (living) in your city. With these five you will go (to Vishnu), saluted by Brahma and lord of gods and honoured by gods, on this best mountain Nila." Speaking thus the ascetic disappeared, and was not seen anywhere. Hearing those (words of the ascetic) the king became glad and amazed. The king said:

43. O lord, who is that ascetic that came and talked to me? He is not seen again. Where has he, giving delight to my mind, gone? The ascetic said:

44-48. O king, due to great love for you, he, named Purushottama, the destroyer of all sins, with his heart attracted (by you) came (to you). Tomorrow at noon there will be (i.e. appear) a big mountain before you. Climbing it up and seeing Vishnu, you will be blessed. With the torment in his heart destroyed by the flood of the nectar of these words, he obtained such (great) joy as even Brahma did not know. At that time large kettle-drums were sounded. Lutes were played upon. Musical instruments were played upon. There was then great joy in the mind of the king of kings. Singing (the virtues of) Hari, stopping for a moment, laughing, chattering, talking, saluting, he obtained very great joy destroying all affliction.

 

CHAPTER TWENTYTWO

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