Shri Hari’s stay in Suryapur (Surat).
Shri Hari’s stay in Suryapur (Surat).
Suvrat spoke:-
Moving from place to place, visiting His loving devotees, men and women, the Lord gave delight to all of them. 1.
On the way, crossing the river Mahi, He came to the land called Kanham. Staying in villages and towns where many of His devotees lived, He reached Bhrguksetr (Bharuch). 2.
While traveling, He made his stay for a day or even half a day at some places, a week or a fortnight or more at others. 3.
Going through the towns and villages, He instituted the righteous code and annihilated the unrighteous element, enlightening people by expounding scriptural tenets. 4.
In some places He administered to perform Maharudrayag (sacrifice) (with chanting the hymn in praise of Siva), Vishnuyag, and vow of GayatriPurascharan (chanting of prayer to sun-God), Srisukta (in praise of goddess, Lakshmi) VishnuSahasranama, Narayan-Varma and Shri Hari-Gita according to the rituals. 5- 6.
At some places he arranged for recitation of the Vedas and Shatarudriyam or Srimad Bhagavat or of only tenth canto (Skandh) of Srimad Bhagavat, or Vasudeva-mahatmya. 7 - 8.
O king, thus enthusing people in religious ways, the selfwilled Lord wandering on the earth crossed the river Reva (Narmada) and came to the town Surapur (Surat) on the banks of river Tapati (Tapi) at the request of His devotees. 9.
Hearing that Shri Hari is visiting their town, all the people where overwhelmed with joy and rushed to welcome Him. They arrived in various vehicles, singing songs, beating drums and playing instruments, the noise resounding from all sides. 10.
A Minister named Adisvar (Ardesar) of the King Indrasen came forward with his brother Pilu and his servicemen, leaving aside all work, in procession with a band of musicians. 11.
Others, including meritorious learned Brahmins of high order under the patronage of the king joined him to the outskirts of the town, and seeing Him coming, they all prostrated instantly before Him. 12.
Honouring them deservedly, with Shri Hari riding on a horse, He proceeded towards the town like a king, followed and venerated by the people on all sides. 13.
The devotees had arranged for his (Shri Hari) stay in a beautiful spacious mansion surrounded by an extensive garden, and for others - (saints, Parshad and devotees) 14.
Prompt in service, they all stood humbly before Him. Among them were Brahmins led by Ambaram and others like Bhalachandra, Giridhar, Govind, Yadav, Bhikha Bhai, motibhai, Lakshmichandra, Narottam and Bhagvanji from the merchant class, who sought to make their human life meaningful, O king. 15-17.
Pious women devotees like Mahalakshmi, Jivanti, Ladudevi and others were serving him with intense love. 18.
All the devotees together worshipped Shri Hari with golden ornaments, fine clothes, royal umbrella with sandal paste, flower garlands, and other substances and waving of chowries. 19.
They served up various meals, other delicious eatables and side dishes to Shri Hari and His attendants and followers, to their satisfaction. 20.
The next day being Akshayatrutiya (Third day of bright half of Vaishakh month) the day of Lord’s incarnation as Parashuram, Shri Hari arranged a special worship in His veneration. 21.
There, Indrasen who was empowered as a king-ruler by the governor, invited Shri Hari along with the sages sending royal vehicles, arranged to bring him to his fort, and performed a grand worship offering new clothes and other valuable things, with great respect. 22-23.
Other devotees of the Lord and ministers of the king like Adisvar also gave a respectful reception to Shri Hari at their own mansions, each separately, worshipped offering invaluable clothes, ornaments and other substances, and celebrated the festival with their friends and relatives. 24-25.
Because of Shri Hari’s prowess some Vaishnavs who were malicious to Shri Hari could not do any ill-act there. 26.
Reinstalling the holy commands He dispelled the darkness of ignorance in the hearts of the people, illustrating words from sacred texts. 27.
The Lord, very pleased, gifted all invaluable ornaments and clothes and wealth to the Brahmins. 28.
Wherever the Lord, the Supreme-Brahman in human form of Shri Hari, was worshipped on this earth, sufferings from poverty of the Brahmins disappeared. 29.
Thus ends the Fiftieth chapter entitled ‘Shri Hari’s visit to Suryapur’ in the second Prakarana of Satsangijivan, the life story of Lord Narayan, also titled as ‘Dharmashastra’ (the rules of the code of conduct). 50
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