Description of the Darsana (vision) of Sri Vasudeva
Skanda said:
O Savarni! Narada witnessed a great divine effulgence which was resembling the brilliance when crores of and crores of suns are present at the same time. (1)
It was spreading in all the main and minor directions and further it spread on the top and bottom. This called the eternal Brahman, which is in the form of coconsciousness, and bliss. (2)
It pervades ‘Prakruti’ (matter), the souls, and their products/ effects. Only those who have mastered yoga, after transcending the six yogic ‘cha rka-s’ inside the body and reaching the seventh, which is in the upper portion of head only, realize this. This is attained exclusively by the grace of Lord Vasudeva only. He is self-effulgent and eternal; only with His effulgence the sun shines forth, similarly fire, moon and the stars. They make the entire world shine with His effulgence. (3- 4)
That abode of the Lord is called ‘Brahmapura’ (Abode of the Lord) by the devotees of the Lord. Crores of worshippers stand around and worship it. That exalted place is often frequented by Brahma, Shankara and others holding presents in their hands. Similarly, cowherds and their maids also frequent it. (5-6)
O Sage! One who has the grace of Krishna will witness this in the midst of light; others will see only the light but not the Lord. (7)
In that effulgent light, Narada saw a wonderful divine temple full of varieties of gems, beautiful on account of thousands of rows of gem-studded pillars with a great reception place. (8)
He saw that place surrounded by brilliant mansions, which were full of men and women decorated with beautiful ornaments, jewels, who were dedicated to the service of Lord Krishna. (9)
Sage Narada saw with joy a throne created using the essence of jewels and gems, awe-inspiring in the minds of spectators. (10)
There he saw Lord Krishna called ‘Narayana’ devoid of all inauspicious qualities, sitting on the throne, who is adored as the ‘Ancient Lord’, ‘Supreme Person’, ‘Vasudeva’ by His devotees. Some of them call Him the ‘Supreme Self’ and some others call Him ‘Supreme Brahman’; others say He is the greater than the greatest. Some call Him as ‘Brahman’, others as ‘Bhagavan’; some devotees call him ‘Parameshwara’. (11-12)
His limbs are beautiful as though made of thousands of cupids. He is always a young boy and repository of compassion. He is most enjoyable to look at; He is always peaceful. (13)
He is independent and superior to the one that perishes (viz. matter) and the one that does not perish (viz. individual soul). He is the monarch of innumerable worlds and his eyes, just by their looks, are capable of taking care of creating, sustaining and destroying several worlds at ease. (14)
He is decorated with invaluable, yellow, silk clothes; He is impressive to look at, by the jewels made out of precious gems and diamonds. He is of the hue of the fresh (rain bear ing) cloud, bedecked with the bright earrings in the form of fish. (15)
Since light that has dispersed from His limbs encircles Him, He looks white. He is decorated with a brilliant crown using the most precious gems and diamonds. He possesses beautiful eyes resembling the lotus flowers of the autumnal season. (16)
His limbs are anointed with fragrant sandal paste, his chest region in marked with the sign of ‘Srivatsa’ (that is the mark of supremacy). He plays on the flute producing melodies music, keeping it in front of his mouth with the help of beautiful arms. That Supreme Being was being served by groups of friends Jaya, Sushila, Lalita and others together with the consorts of the Lord like Rama with Radha, Satyabhama, Kalindi, Jambavati and others. (17-18)
Lord Vasudeva was also being served by the ‘Dharmadevatas’, all the Vedas, the six-fold wealth and knowledge, many of his own weapons that had taken human forms and others with folded hands.Nanda, Sunanda and other important heads of the retinues of the Lord, having hues of emerald, ruby, gold and white color, sporting with their beautiful arms the disc, mace, lotus and conch, were mediating on the God. (19-20)
Surrounded by Sri-Daama and others devotees with their ornaments handed in the form of Gopas standing with heads bowed in devotion, Garuda, the forms of eight-fold wealth standing in front with bowed heads, the Lord was being worshipped. (21)
In addition to this, that Lord was being served by the presiding deities of the qualities of peace, mercy, plentifulness, intellect, intelligence, endeavor, mastery, friendship, detachment, memory and wisdom. Sage Narada saw that most marvelous divine form of Sri Krishna, the Supreme Being. All his senses were attracted by the fragrance of that beauty; his eyes were filled with tears of joy; thrilled by his love for the Lord, he was filled with complete happiness. (22-23)
He prostrated to the Lord, with infinite love, and folded hands; he then stood looking at the face of the Lord alone. (24)
Seeing his ardent devotee whom he had Himself called, Sri Hari welcomed him with respect and enquired about his welfare. (25)
Tasting the nectar-like words of the Lord, which were streaming down by the wish of the Lord Himself, Narada who was filled with extreme joy on having the vision of the Lord praised him thus, with devotion: (26)
Narada said:
“O Sri Krishna! God! Narayana! Lord of the Universe! Vasudeva! O all pervading One, beloved of all ardent devotees! Victory to You! O Lord! Radha, Kamala and others worship your divine feet! You alone are the wealth of those who desire You! You alone are the ultimate refuge! (27-28)
O Hari! You are the everlasting soul of the immortal souls; Chetana of the Chetana, Supreme to both Kshara and Akshara you are the Supreme Brahman. (29)
Men with ardent devotion unto You will obtain the highest purity and accomplishment that cannot be obtained by means of penance and other means. (30)
Oh, Lord of upright men! The moonlight emanating from Your divine feet alone is capable of driving away the pitch-darkness settled in the hearts of those who desire salvation. (31)
You alone are the one to be worshipped by means of sacrifices; You alone are to be meditated upon; You alone are to be known; You alone are the cause of all causes. Oh, God! All the Vedas have described You alone in this manner.” (32)
The pure effulgence settled in each and every hair of yours, that radiant peace is brighter than that of a ten million moons. (33)
You, the Purushothama, the quality-less (one who is devoid of all bad qualities) dwelling always as the great effulgent form in this Aksharadhama, are regarded possessing the form of nectar. (34)
The power of worshipping You, will certainly free Your devotees from the face of Kala - Yama (death and the god of death) and also from the great fear of illusion. (35)
I have come to seeking refuge in you, the Lord of the Universe, the soul of all, the eminent, the Brahman, Supreme Being, and Achyuta. (36)
O Lord of the Devas! Bless me with a constant unshakable devotion unto your lotus feet”(37)
Skanda said:
The Supreme Lord, then spoke these words that were like nectar to the Divine sage Narada, gladdening him, thus. (38)
End of Seventeenth Chapter titled “Description of the Darsana (vision) of Sri Vasudeva” in Sri Vasudeva Mahatmya.