The Importance of Goplcandana

Mahadeva said:

1-13a. Now I shall tell you something else: the importance of (the sandal called) goplcandana as I saw and heard about it, О best divine sage. A briihmana, or a vaisya, or a Shudra, whose body is smeared with goplcandana is free from the sin of killing a brahmana. There is no doubt that he who puts a mark of goplcandana (on his body) is free from the sins like drinking etc. A Vishnu’s devotee, exclusively devoted to Vishnu, with his body smeared with goplcandana, is free from all sins; so also (he is free from sins) due to the water of Ganga. A shudra or a brahmana who has killed a brahmana, or who is a drunkard, so also (a brahmana) who has stolen gold, who has molested his preceptor’s wife, is instantly freed from sins committed during hundreds of existences. Twelve marks are prescribed for all devotees of Vishriu; they should be put especially by brahmajias (who are Vi^riu’s devotees) and who desire welfare. It should be of the form of a staff on the forehead; of the form of a lotus on the chest. (It should be) like (the form of) a reed-leaf on the shoulder-blade. The other one should be like the form of a lamp. On the right shoulder-blade there should be four marks like those of wheel above and two ring-like marks below. One of the two (should be of the form of) a conch. He should have two (marks) in the middle, so also on the sides. On the left (shoulder-blade there should also be) a mark of a disc and (marks of) two maces (drawn) separately. On the forehead (there should be the mark of) a mace, so also of a seal-ring on the chest. There should be three beautiful marks and tw6 (marks of) conches in the middle. On the chest, on the side above the breast, (there should be the marks of) a mace and lotuses as on the arms. At the root of the ear there should be three or four (marks of discs) and two below (it). He should put one (mark) out of other marks.

13b-21a. Following the wise he should put on the mark of his sect. He should put it as he likes, since there is no rule about it. By means of just putting a mark (all) upto a caritfala are purified.

1 look upon the reviler of the devotees of Vispu as a greater (sinner) than а сарфМа. He (i.e. a can^ala) should be looked upon like Visiju. No doubt should be raised in this matter. None (else) should be known to be similar to a brahmana who is Vishriu’s devotee and who is devoted to the meditation on Vishnu. He would (himself) be Vishnu in the world. A brahmana having (the marks of) a conch and a disc (on his body), and devoted to the study of the Vedas, is (alone) said to be Vishnu in the Veda. A brahmana who has the mark of (i.e. made with) a disc, purifies those brahmarias who purify by their presence the persons who sit in the same row to dine with them. He who is devoted to him is freed from great sins, О brahmana. There is no doubt that a brahmana, after having worn the garland of Tulasi-wood, would enjoy salvation. Since a brahmana is of the form of Vishnu, he is said to be Vishou’s devotee in this world. He who has a mark of gopicandana (on his body) at the time of his death gets into an aeroplane and goes to the highest position of Vishjiii.

2lb-26. О Narada, I shall tell you that those best men who put on the mark of gopicandana never meet with a cala­mity. A man who puts (the mark of) a conch and (that of) a disc on his right hand and particularly on the left hand also is freed from great sins. There is no doubt that those who are seen to have indulged in drinking, to have killed women and children, to have practised illicit intercourse, get freed just on seeing the devotees (of Vishnu), О ЬгйЬтапа. How can (one find) devotees of Vishnu in this mundane existence of little worth? I have surely become a devotee of Vishshu through the favour of Vishou’s devo­tion. There is no doubt that dwelling here in Kail and muttering ‘Rama, Rama9, he becomes Shiva due to the contact with that religious merit.

 

CHAPTER THIRTY

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