The ruling governor admires Shri Hari’s might.
The ruling governor admires Shri Hari’s might.
Suvrat said:-
Having saluted Narayan with folded-hands, the king, who was proficient in political sciences, said in all humbleness: 1.
‘I am much delighted at your sight, O Lord. You are indeed god who has taken a human form. 2.
Having won over the inner foes like passion, anger etc. that unsettle the entire universe (gamut of living beings), your devotees seem to have attained tranquility (or perfect abstinence). 3.
Knowing those who have taken your shelter to be saintly men as defined in sacred texts, I have punished many hypocrites, unholy and vicious men who tormented them. 4.
Kings and preceptors who wronged the virtuous men were extirpated by me. Still some of them lurk here and there. 5.
Perhaps your splendor is the cause behind my (easy triumphs over the kings) capturing many kings easily, O ascetic-supreme! 6.
Now let these sages, who are well-wishers of living beings, wander about the earth as in the past, and it is indeed my vow that those who trouble these sages are to be destroyed. 7.
Shri Hari speaks on Dharma of a King.
Having heard thus from the king, Shri Hari said to him ‘O king you are knowledgeable and are executing the rules of law (Bound by justice). 8.
Protecting the religion, the virtuous & one’s subjects and punishing the culprits who afflict these people is the highest duty of a noble king. 9.
Prosperity will prevail in your land for reason of you harboring noble dharmas. Other kings who follow irreligious ways will meet with peril. 10.
O king, your coming from Kimpurush quarter for protecting Dharma is by the will of God alone. 11.
If you follow the path of Dharma this way, you will become an Emperor (Sovereign). 12.
The King asks about the ways of emancipation.
O king, know that the reason for those kings who have prospered and become renowned in the past is their noble deeds of protecting Dharma only. 13.
Thus sermonized by Shri Hari, the king asked Him thus for his own highest good as well as for a way out from earthly bondage. 14.
All the pleasures of sovereignty are obtained by your grace alone. Moreover, I wish for the highest joy even after the end of my life. 15.
You are the liberator of all beings who has liberated himself from the earthly mundane. I too surrender unto you, O master of the world. 16.
Therefore, ordain me a way of emancipation by which I will be released from worldly tribulations soon. 17.
Shri Hari dilates on Bhakti and bestows a boon to the king.
Shri Narayan Muni spoke:-
‘It is well ascertained by you what is good for you. O king’. I will tell you what is decided by me in conformity with sacred texts. 18.
It is usual for all living beings to pursue sensual pleasures and obtain them but release from the bondage of unremitting transmigration is achieved only through human life. 19.
It is indeed difficult to get human birth though ephemeral, but it is a certain means to achieve a meaningful goal. 20.
This human body is comparable to a Chintamani (a thoughtgem that is supposed to yield its possessor all desires). It should be utilized wisely to accomplish one’s own welfare. 21.
Devotion to god is the best way to attain the highest good. In my opinion, devotion, encompassing observance of one’s sacred duties, kno-wledge and non-attachment, should be practiced with a firm mind. 22.
All sacred scriptures have proclaimed about this (devotion) as the ultimate truth. Hence confine your devotion in its full complement to Krishna. That will wean you away from worldly afflictions. 23.
Thus explained by Shri Hari, the king being delighted again asked Him the characteristics of self-religion, knowledge and non-attachment. 24.
The Lord delineated on the characteristics according to the philosophical precepts. The prudent king being completely satisfied said thus. 25.
‘O master, you are god yourself for sure. Therefore I devote myself to you always. 26.
]‘O God, from this very day I am all yours with my family.’ Saying thus the king prostrated before Him with great respect. 27.
Steadying him Shri Hari said, “I am pleased with you. Ask for a boon.” Thus told by Shri Hari, the king with folded hands and tearful eyes said to Him. 28.
O Swaminarayan, Shri Hari, I plead you to rid me of blemishes from my deeds done knowingly or unknowingly. 29.
Having bestowed boon and taught him restraints etc., Shri Hari the free-willed rose from his seat. 30.
Having brought the offerings, with his ministers the king worshipped Him as well as sages devoutly with invaluable raiment, beautiful flower garlands, crests, ornaments of gold, betel leaves and nuts. 31-32.
Having taken his leave of Shri Hari, the King who still stood there with folded hands later left for his palace. The governor, who followed Him was persuaded to go back. 33.
Kings proclamation of Shri Hari’s divinity
Even rival kings wondered at Him then. Getting rid of their prejudices, they saluted Him on the way in groups. 34.
The governor told that group of kings that Narayan Muni and the other saints were ever adorable to all. 35.
Whoever troubles Him would be extirpated surely. They bowed to him fin realization of the full import of his words. 36.
Thereafter in every town and village there were loud proclamations that ‘Narayan Muni ought to be adored by one and all’. 37.
The Lord was shown great hospitality by the king, and having halted there for a night he wished to go to Durgapur in the morning, O king. 38.
The Lord told king’s minister who attended on Him, ‘O minister, convey to the king that I wish to leave this place quickly’. 39.
The humble king felt honoured by the Lord and saluted Him. Seeing Him getting ready to leave, the king said to Him with folded hands. 40-41
‘You have blessed me O master, graciously with your unbridled compassion. Hence my birth as a human is fructified indeed by your presence. 42.
I wished to retain you here for five days, but you intend to leave this very day. Who can stop your free will? 43.
Shri Hari admires the king’s exploits and his devotion.
Narayan Muni spoke:-
‘O king, reverer of saintly qualities, since our saints were protected from the torments of tyrants and their preceptors, I have had great affection for you. Now having seen your unassuming devotion, I and my followers are exceedingly pleased. 44 - 45.
Bound by your undeterred devotion I could extend my stay here for two or three days, but many devotees have come to Durgapur from distant places. 46.
I have my duties of quenching the sages’ quest and duties towards the devotees as well. Despite being thus constrained, I have still visited here for I was bound by your affection. 47.
Your desire to meet with me has come true. Now for the delight of other devotees there, I have to move swiftly. 48.
The state should be guarded and bound by rules of law. Protect the saints and other kings. Be merciful to the weak. O king, I will now leave for Durgapur.’ 49.
The king said:-
‘In case your going is inevitable, let it be so. But be graceful to me. Please proceed on your journey with your followers, but only after having lunch.’ 50.
Suvrat said:-
Thus pleaded by the king, the lord gave His consent. Then the king served four kinds of culinary delicacies. 51.
To his delight, Shri Hari not only urging all His devotees to dine but also Himself dined and prepared for the journey at noon. 52.
The king with his army and various musical bands joined by other kings followed Him who left the place riding on a horse. 53.
The devoted king followed Him to some distance and retreated with a heavy heart. Accompanied by His attendants and other ascetics, Krishna arrived in Durgapur O king. 54.
Arrival of Shree Hari in Gadhapur.
Welcomed by the king and the other citizens with a musical orchestra, Shri Hari of free-will was taken through the town. He stayed there, delighting with people who were under His shelter. 55.
Village folks and saints arrived from various places in large numbers. In the assembly He narrated the events at Rajkot. 56.
Shri Hari spoke:-
‘By the will of Shri Krishna, through the king’s exploits, the afflicting sinful enemies of you saints are extirpated on earth. 57.
Hence all of you can wander about the earth happily as in the past, adhering to tradition in attires and other matters, O sinless men. 58.
Thus reassured by Him, they rejoiced and began to move about freely as before, knowing firmly in mind, that it was due to Shri Hari’s excellence only. 59.
After five days’ stay, they expressed a desire to move on, but King Abhay asked them to stay back and hosted Him and the sages
for a month more. 60.
This happened in the Vikram year of 1864 in month of Magh December-January) in the life of Shri Hari. 61.
Having variously silenced the rival elements of Dharma, Narayan, endowed with all auspicious felicities, lover of Dharma and one who has renounced all worldly desires and attachments, stayed back with sages there. 62.
One who glorifies the sagacious might of Shri Hari’s exploits or hears about it would be benefited with success and accomplishment everywhere with His grace. 63.
Thus ends the Thirty-sixth chapter entitled ‘Lord’s bestowing of boon to ruling governor and His coming back to Durgapur’ in the second Prakarana of Satsangijivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as ‘Dharmashastra’ (the rules of the code of conduct). 36
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